No home bar is complete without a beer pump – think gin without tonic! Maybe it seems too much hassle to install one. After all, cans and bottles can fill a glass no problem. That said, a stylish beer pump is part of the home bar’s character, not only as a practical addition but to reflect your individuality. Innovation combined with practicality is what designers like Dawnvale can deliver to any home bar project – read on to learn more.
Cold beer needs planning
Having beer on tap at home sounds great, but more so when it’s ice-cold. Start from this premise, which links to the space you will need to set aside for a refrigerator, usually behind the bar. To this end, the appliance needs to be large enough to accommodate the keg – equipment required is a CO2 canister, regulator, couplers, lines, connective fixtures and beer tap.
The perfect pint – Fitting it all together
To connect the keg to the fridge, lay out the beer lines first, together with the CO2 canister, before you begin connecting them – this will help you decide how you want the lines to link together. It isn’t necessary for the fridge to hold the canister, but a beer line needs to link up from the canister to the keg, with a second line from the keg to the tap. Drill two holes in the fridge wall to facilitate entry and exit for the lines. Make sure the holes are big enough for the tubing – insert the gaskets then fit the tubing through them.
You need to drill a hole to fit the beer tap. Insert the tap by its shank fixture into the tap hole, then secure it with the retaining nut at the base. Next, connect the regulator to the canister, then the canister hose to the keg and secure using a clamp. Apply the coupler to the keg, then fix into the keg’s bung – apply a quarter turn to make secure. Connect the canister line to the CO2 fitting on the coupler and the beer line hose to the opposite side. Clamp both hoses.
Finishing touches
You’re almost ready to enjoy a cold beer. Connect the hose leading from the fridge to the tap’s base, and apply a hose clamp. It’s time to open the canister – you will need to test/adjust pressure by opening the tap and making several trial-run pours. How much pressure needed is based on personal taste, in terms of how much foam and head is preferred. It shouldn’t take long for you to get the hang of it, however, before you pour that perfect pint.