CO2 Pressure to carbonate / and to hold steady

brandonlovesbeer

My friend and I just brewed an IPA. He is insistent upon kegging but neither of us has ever done it before and he is just now getting his kegging system together.

What does the pressure need to be to condition the beer?

Then, once it's conditioned, what does the pressure need to be at to maintain the carbonation... if there is a difference?

Thanks
_________________
Haven't brewed anything lately but I taught a new homebrewer the basics a few weeks back and brewed an IPA.

bobbyc · Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2010 5:56 am Post subject:

I force carbonate my kegs at around 30 psi, which takes maybe 3 or 4 days. I drop it to about 5-7 psi for dispensing, but that pressure depends on the length of tubing you're dispensing from. (Longer hose needs more pressure)

There is plenty of other information out there on this topic:
http://morebeer.com/content/kegging-homebrew

Steve-O · Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2010 8:26 am Post subject:

I pretty much do what bobbyc does. To maintain the carbonation you will need about 10 to 15 psi. This will depend on the amount of carbonation you want and also the temperature of the beer. If your system is "balanced" you wont have to lower the pressure for serving. Balance involves having a proper length and inside diameter of serving line so you don't get a glass of foam.