Choosing the Right Beer Shanks for Your Draft Beer System

Whether you’re a seasoned bar owner, a homebrew enthusiast, or just starting to explore the world of draft beer systems, you’ve likely come across the term “beer shanks”. But what exactly are they, and why are they critical to your draft beer system? Let’s delve into the fascinating world of beer shanks, their function, how to select the right ones, and how to maintain them for optimal performance and taste.

Key Takeaways

• Beer shanks are crucial components in draft systems, ensuring seamless beer flow from keg to glass, and their proper installation is vital to maintaining the quality and flavor of the beer.
• Choosing the right beer shank involves considering materials (stainless steel vs. brass), compatibility with existing systems, and the appropriate size and length based on the draft system’s specifications.
• Regular maintenance, including cleaning and inspecting beer shanks, is essential to prevent off-tastes and contamination, and using high-quality tools and accessories is recommended for optimal performance.

Understanding Beer Shanks and Their Role in Draft Systems

Beer shanks play an integral part in a draft beer system. They are the bridge that connects the beer line to the faucet, allowing the smooth and consistent flow of beer from the keg to your glass. Selecting the appropriate faucet shank for your draft beer dispensing system is of paramount importance as it guarantees a secure connection between the beer line and the faucet, thereby preventing any potential interruptions in the beer flow or compromise in its quality.

A beer shank assembly, typically sold pre-assembled, encompasses the shank itself, a flange, a hex nut, and a coupling nut among other components. This assembly fosters a seamless connection between the beer line and the beer faucet shank, which is vital in preserving the quality and taste of your draft beer. When installing your beer faucet, make sure to use a high-quality beer faucet shank assembly to ensure optimal performance.

The Connection Between Beer Lines and Faucets

The connection process involves:

1. Attaching the faucet coupling to the shank using a snap ring and sleeve
2. Ensuring a leakproof connection to facilitate accurate beer pouring and maintain a consistent temperature
3. Using faucet body gaskets and the right beer shank for your draft system

This process enables the smooth flow of beer from the keg to the faucet.

Improper installation of a long shank between a beer line and a faucet can lead to leaking, potentially impacting the quality of the beer dispensing process.

Importance of Proper Installation

Correct installation of a beer shank is vital for preserving the quality and flavor of draft beer. Inadequate installation can lead to issues such as:

• Diminishing its overall quality and taste
• Corrosion of chrome-plated brass components can hurt the flavor and quality of the beer.

Hence, aligning beer lines and faucets is a vital step in beer shank installation as it ensures a well-regulated and temperature-controlled flow from the keg to the faucet. For correct installation, a spanner wrench, beer shank, and beer faucet are needed.

Selecting the Ideal Beer Shank for Your Needs

When it comes to selecting the ideal beer shank for your draft beer system, there are a few factors to consider. For instance, the type of material used stands as a significant factor.

Stainless steel shanks offer:

• Enhanced resistance to leaching from acidic beers due to the stainless steel shank
• Increased durability leading to greater longevity
• A higher level of strength compared to brass due to the more challenging machining process.

The size and length also stand as significant aspects to take into account. When selecting the appropriate size and length for a beer shank, it is important to consider the length of the beer line and the diameter of the beer lines, which are typically 3/16 or 1/4 inch inside diameter.

Lastly, compatibility with your current draft system components, such as the type of beer faucet, beer lines, and draft tower in use, plays a significant role in ensuring the efficient functioning and performance of the draft beer system.

Material Options: Brass vs. Stainless Steel

Brass and stainless steel are the two main material options for beer shanks. Stainless steel beer shanks are the preferred choice due to their corrosion-resistant properties, which prevent off-tastes and tarnishing, ensuring that the taste of the beer remains unaltered.

However, brass beer shanks also have their merits. One significant benefit of brass beer shanks is their cost-effectiveness compared to stainless steel counterparts. On the downside, beer can develop a metallic off-taste when in contact with brass, and brass beer shanks can be challenging to clean effectively.

Therefore, while both brass and stainless steel have their pros and cons, you should choose the material that best suits your specific needs and circumstances. I will always recommend stainless steel equipment when dispensing draft beer.

Size and Length Considerations

The size and length of a beer shank should correspond to the thickness of the wall or surface where it will be installed. If the size and length of a beer shank aren’t meticulously chosen, it can significantly impact the flow and taste of beer. If the tap pressure is not properly balanced, it can result in either foamy or flat beer, making it crucial to align the beer line length with the appropriate pressure.

The standard sizes and lengths of beer shanks commonly used in the industry range from 1-7/8” to 12-1/8” in length, with options available from 2 inches to 14 inches. Therefore, you should choose the size and length that best suits your specific draft system.

Summary

In conclusion, when choosing a beer shank for your draft system, several factors need careful consideration. The shank’s length, the material composition (e.g., high-quality steel), and the general quality of the draft beer system are all factors that could significantly affect the performance of the beer shank.

The choice of materials, such as stainless steel, can significantly affect the performance of the beer shank by providing durability, corrosion resistance, and preventing flavor contamination. Moreover, ensuring compatibility of the beer shank with the draft system is essential due to the beer shank’s role as a critical component that connects the beer line to the faucet.

Compatibility with Your Draft System

To ensure the compatibility of a beer shank with your draft system, it’s necessary to pay attention to the following specifications:

• The diameter of the shank should match the size of the beer lines, typically 3/16 or 1/4-inch.
• Choose the most fitting length for your system, which can vary from 2 to 14 inches.
• It is advisable to choose a shank made of high-quality steel.
• Verify brand or model-specific compatibility before making a purchase.

Popular Beer Shank Styles and Their Applications

The market offers a variety of beer shank styles, each possessing unique features and advantages. The most commonly used types of beer shanks include straight, nipple, and bent-tube variations. These variations cater to different preferences and installation needs in beer dispensing systems. These different styles serve various purposes, from standard installations to refrigerator conversions and even preventing crimping in beer lines.

Straight Shanks

Straight beer shanks are typically employed in refrigerator conversions, including those involving the refrigerator door, and cooler walls assemblies. They are a popular choice for this purpose. They are often constructed from stainless steel and are widely used for regular installations such as refrigerator conversions.

Nipple Shanks

Nipple shanks, on the other hand, are designed for kegerator conversions, featuring a nipple (hose barb) that simplifies connecting the clamp and beer line. A nipple shank comes in variations with either removable or permanently attached nipples.

Elbow Shanks

Elbow shanks offer advantages in situations where the beer line needs to navigate a sharp turn or adjust in height to fit into a specific space, effectively preventing kinking or crimping. The elbow shank is characterized by a 90-degree bend that effectively accommodates the beer line and prevents crimping.

Its bent-tube design aids in dissipating pressure changes and maintaining the integrity of the beer line.

Beer Shank Assemblies and Accessories

The beer shank assembly includes the beer shank and various accessories like tailpieces. To correctly install the beer shank and maintain its peak functionality, you might need a handful of additional accessories.

Components of a Beer Shank Assembly

A typical beer shank assembly consists of the shank, flange, and coupling nut among other components. The shank connects the room temperature outside environment to the refrigerated inner area of keg storage, while also connecting the beer line to the faucet.

Essential Accessories for Beer Shank Installation

Accessories such as wrenches and replacement parts are essential for beer shank installation and maintenance. The most commonly used wrenches for beer shank installation are standard wrenches or spanner (Lobster Claw) from Micromatic.

Tips for Maintaining and Cleaning Your Beer Shanks

Regular maintenance and cleaning of beer shanks are paramount to preserving the quality and flavor of your draft beer. This can include completely disassembling them, chemically soaking them, and scrubbing them.

Regular Inspection and Maintenance

Regular inspection and upkeep are vital to keep beer shanks free from contaminants and sustain optimal performance. Indicators of wear and tear in beer shanks that necessitate maintenance consist of chrome-plated brass fixtures displaying signs of wear and tear and shanks becoming loose, broken, or leaking.

Proper Cleaning Techniques

Beer shanks should be cleaned using a cleaner applied with a stiff-bristled brush to scrub the shank or by dispensing a cleaning solution through the shank and rinsing thoroughly. Additionally, draft lines should be flushed with clean water and cleaned every 2 weeks, and a specialized beer line cleaning kit can be used for this purpose.

Top Brands and Suppliers of Beer Shanks

There is an abundance of reputable brands and suppliers to consider when sourcing beer shanks. Prominent manufacturers of beer shanks include:

• UBC Group USA
• Micromatic
• Perlick
• American Beverage

Troubleshooting Common Beer Shank Issues

As is the case with any complex system, beer shanks can occasionally pose problems. Some of the common challenges include leaks and inadequate beer flow, both of which can impact the effectiveness of the draft beer system.

Inadequate cooling of the beer can be resolved by ensuring that the beer is kept at the correct temperature of around 38 degrees Fahrenheit and checking the pressure on the kegs and the secondary regulator. Foamy beer can be attributed to beer shank issues such as improper serving temperature, dirty beer lines, or incorrect temperature/pressure settings.

Resolving these issues entails adjusting the serving temperature, cleaning the lines, and ensuring proper settings are maintained.

Summary

To conclude, beer shanks are an integral part of any draft beer system, connecting the beer line to the faucet, and ensuring a smooth, consistent flow of beer. Selecting the right beer shank is crucial, with factors such as material, size, compatibility with your draft system, and the type of shank (straight, nipple, or elbow) all playing a role. Regular maintenance and cleaning are essential to preserve the quality and taste of the beer, and knowing how to troubleshoot common issues can keep your draft system running smoothly.

For more information about beer shanks please reach out to us at Renny's. And if you have any further questions we will be glad to answer them.

Cheers!