Is your business considering a glycol beer system? These chilling systems are one the best options for those who want to keep their beer cold. And, they also help when beer needs to travel in long distances! Let’s discuss the main components of this long draw system and how it works.
How Do Glycol Beer Systems Work?
A glycol beer cooling system is a common choice for bars, pubs, tap rooms, and restaurants when needing to transport beer over a distance while keeping it at a cold temperature. This system also prevents foam buildup while transferring beer from the cooler to the draft tower.
Propylene glycol is the cooling agent used in glycol draft beer systems. It is odorless and slightly thicker than water. Additionally, Propylene glycol has many uses in the food industry but is primarily used by brewers and bar owners for systems like these.
These systems are best for beer dispensing setups that are long (25 feet or more). For example, a glycol beer system works well in situations where beer kegs need to be stored in a cooler that’s far from the bar counter.
How Do Glycol Beer Systems Work?
Although glycol draft systems have many working parts, the main ones are:
Glycol Power Pack
The glycol power pack acts as the central component of the glycol tap system. It is a commercial refrigeration device intended to push and flow glycol throughout the system, thus keeping an ideal temperature.
The parts in a power pack are:
- Glycol reservoir with a coil (contains cooling refrigerant)
- Thermostat (to regulate the temperature)
- Supply and return lines
- Compressor
- Evaporator fan
There is a refrigerant in the coil to keep the water in the reservoir cool. The circulation pump continuously pushes the water through the supply line while the compressor turns on and off. This helps keep the thermostat at the temperature of the walk-in cooler.
Trunk Line
The trunk line of the draft beer glycol system is composed of beer lines and glycol refrigeration lines, insulated and wrapped in foil. Additionally, The outbound glycol line goes from the power pack to the beer tower, and the other returns from the tower to the power pack.
The trunk line links each product line to individual beer kegs in the walk-in cooler, connected to gas cylinders via blenders and regulators. It forms a conduit of beer lines from kegs to the draft beer tower, with refrigeration lines running from the power pack to the tower in a loop.
Furthermore, product and glycol lines are foam-shielded and encased in a plastic jacket. This jacket is flexible and can be easily moved. Glycol lines usually go overhead or under the floor. Lastly, exposed downward trunk lines go through PVC tubing and have a decorative finish if overhead.
Beer Tower
The simplest part of the glycol beer chiller is the only visible part; the beer lines connect to a shank or faucet inside the tower. Customers pull the tap handle and pour the beer, not realizing it had to travel a distance to get to the bar.
The power pack sends refrigerant (glycol) through the trunk line. Outbound lines transfer the glycol from the power pack to the tower. Return lines force the beer to cycle and re-cool. Additionally, refrigerant lines ensure the beer is at a consistent temperature from storage to the dispensing point. The glycol cooling system transports the beer from the walk-in to the tower. It keeps it at 36-38°F (the temperature of most walk-in coolers).
If you decide to install a glycol beer system, A Head for profits would be happy to assist you! Please visit here to learn more about our preventative maintenance and how we can assist in making sure your glycol draft system stays up and running!
