First, narrow it down
Did the keg just arrive or get tapped? Is only one tap foaming, or several? Note the measured beer temperature if staff have a clean food-safe thermometer.
What you're seeing
| Symptom | Possible cause | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| Only first pour foamy | Warm tower or faucet | Compare a second pour; note location. |
| Entire shift after new keg | Agitated/warm keg | Allow cooling and settling. |
| All faucets foamy | Shared cooling or gas balance | Record beer temp and gas readings. |
What to check
Newly delivered or just tapped?
Carbonator’s draft sheet suggests giving a freshly moved or tapped keg about 1–2 hours before retrying. A warm keg may take longer to reach serving temperature depending on storage conditions.
Measure real beer temperature
The supplied sheet targets about 34–38°F for its systems. The Brewers Association recommends roughly 36–38°F at keg and dispense for standard beer. A cooler display reading 36°F does not guarantee the beer at the faucet is that cold.
Pour with the faucet fully open
Open the handle fully and promptly rather than halfway. Start with a clean beer glass at roughly a 45-degree angle, then straighten toward the end of the pour. Half-opening makes turbulence and foam.
Check whether it is one tap or several
One foamy faucet may have a dirty or damaged faucet, warm line, or restriction. All faucets foamy can point to cooling or gas-balance problems.
Look at recent line maintenance
Carbonator’s sheet specifically asks when lines were last cleaned. The Brewers Association and Micro Matic commonly recommend service about every 14 days; follow local requirements and your equipment plan.
Read the applied pressure but do not adjust it
The original Carbonator sheet mentions 12–14 psi, which is a useful common direct-draw reference. Long-draw or nitrogen-blended installations may require very different pressure and gas composition. Changing a regulator blindly can ruin draft balance.
Record changes before calling
Temperature at the keg and faucet, gas type, which taps foam, and last cleaning date help a technician identify the reason faster.
Why it happens
Foam is CO₂ leaving solution too early. Heat, turbulence, improper gas balance, dirty components, and restrictions can each accelerate it.
Need service?
If the keg and beer are cold, the faucet is opened correctly, and foam persists, have Carbonator verify line balance and the gas blend.
Contact us (215) 726-8000