13Dec

Homebrew in the Krups BeerTender B95: How to Fill & Carbonate

Posted on
in Uncategorized

The Krups BeerTender B95 is a compact and efficient beer dispenser designed to bring bar-quality draft beer into your home. While it’s traditionally used with commercial kegs, many homebrewers are now using it to serve their homemade beer. This guide will walk you through how to properly fill and carbonate homebrew using the BeerTender B95, ensuring that your beer is poured with perfect pressure and carbonation every time.

Tools Required

  • Homebrew keg (compatible with BeerTender B95)
  • Carbon dioxide (CO2) tank and regulator
  • Beer line with disconnect
  • Cleaning supplies (brushes, sanitizing solution)
  • Krups BeerTender B95 unit
  • CO2 cartridge (if using small homebrew kegs)
  • Draft beer faucet (optional for keg-to-glass pours)

Installation and Setup

Before filling your Krups BeerTender B95 with homebrew, ensure it’s correctly set up and ready to go. Follow these steps:

  1. Place the BeerTender B95 on a level surface: Ensure the unit is stable and located in a place that can handle condensation.
  2. Assemble the components: Connect the beer line from the keg to the BeerTender, using the disconnect fittings. If using a standard CO2 tank, connect the regulator to the tank and the line to the keg.
  3. Set up CO2 for carbonation: If you’re using a CO2 tank, set the regulator to the appropriate pressure. Typically, homebrew carbonation requires a PSI range of 10-15. For small homebrew kegs using CO2 cartridges, ensure they’re properly installed and the regulator is adjusted for correct pressure.

How to Fill the BeerTender B95 with Homebrew

Filling the BeerTender B95 with your homebrew requires some precision to avoid overflows or poor carbonation. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Sanitize Your Equipment

Sanitation is critical to avoid contaminating your beer. Clean and sanitize all equipment, including the keg, lines, and the BeerTender, before filling it with homebrew. Use a no-rinse sanitizer to ensure all surfaces are free of yeast, bacteria, or other microbes that could spoil the beer.

Step 2: Pour Your Homebrew into the Keg

  • Ensure that your homebrew is fully fermented and ready for kegging. Rack the beer into your keg, leaving some space at the top to avoid overfilling.
  • If you’re using a cornelius keg (ball-lock or pin-lock), make sure the lid is securely sealed after filling.

Step 3: Set Up CO2 for Carbonation

If your beer is already carbonated (e.g., through bottle conditioning), you can skip this step. If not, attach the CO2 line to the keg and set your regulator to around 10-12 PSI. Gently agitate the keg to ensure the CO2 is absorbed into the beer. Allow 24-48 hours for proper carbonation.

Step 4: Attach the Keg to the BeerTender

Once your homebrew keg is filled and carbonated, connect the keg to the BeerTender B95 using the beer line. Secure the connection with the appropriate disconnect fittings. If using a small keg system with a CO2 cartridge, make sure it’s attached securely.

Step 5: Power On the BeerTender

Turn on the BeerTender B95 and allow it to cool down to the ideal serving temperature. The BeerTender B95 is capable of keeping your beer at around 37°F (3°C), which is ideal for most homebrewed beers.

Step 6: Test the Flow

Before serving, pull a test pour to check the beer flow. If the beer flows too fast or too slow, adjust the CO2 pressure and beer line accordingly.

Carbonating Homebrew in the Krups BeerTender B95

Proper carbonation is essential for the best flavor and mouthfeel in your homebrew. Here’s how to carbonate your beer correctly in the BeerTender B95:

CO2 Pressure and Carbonation Rate

For most beers, carbonation levels are best between 2.2 and 2.7 volumes of CO2. You can achieve this by adjusting the pressure on your CO2 regulator.

  • Low-carbonation beers (e.g., cask ales): Set the regulator to around 8-10 PSI.
  • Medium carbonation (e.g., pale ales): Set the regulator to 10-12 PSI.
  • High carbonation (e.g., Belgian-style beers): Set the regulator to 12-15 PSI.

Carbonation Time

If your homebrew is not pre-carbonated, it may take a few days for the CO2 to fully carbonate the beer. You can expedite this process by shaking the keg gently to increase CO2 absorption. However, shaking too aggressively could result in over-carbonation.

Troubleshooting Common Set-Up Issues

While the Krups BeerTender B95 is designed for ease of use, there are a few issues you might encounter during setup or while using it for homebrew.

Issue 1: Beer is Flowing Too Slowly

  • Cause: Low CO2 pressure or a clogged beer line.
  • Solution: Ensure the CO2 pressure is correctly set (10-15 PSI), and check that the beer line is clean and free of obstructions.

Issue 2: Beer is Over-Carbonated or Foamy

  • Cause: Too much CO2 pressure or over-shaking the keg.
  • Solution: Reduce the CO2 pressure, allow the beer to settle for a few hours, and then pour another test sample. Keep the PSI in the recommended range.

Issue 3: Leaking Beer or CO2

  • Cause: Loose connections or worn-out seals.
  • Solution: Inspect all connections, including the beer line and CO2 regulator. Tighten any loose parts and replace worn seals if necessary.

Customization and Optimization for Better Performance

The Krups BeerTender B95 can be customized to optimize performance for homebrewers. Here are a few suggestions:

Upgrade the Beer Line

For better flow and improved beer quality, consider upgrading your beer line. A longer beer line can reduce foam and help with pressure management, allowing for smoother pours.

Install a Draft Faucet

If you prefer pouring directly from the keg to your glass, install a draft faucet. This will provide more control over the pour and enhance the drinking experience.

Use a Secondary CO2 Regulator

For better control over carbonation, especially if you have multiple kegs or want different carbonation levels, use a secondary CO2 regulator. This gives you more flexibility without constantly adjusting the primary regulator.

Comparison with Similar Products

When it comes to homebrew kegerators and dispensers, the Krups BeerTender B95 is a compact and affordable option. However, several similar products are available, and each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages:

Krups BeerTender B95 vs. Mini Kegerators

  • BeerTender B95: Ideal for homebrewers looking for a compact solution with integrated CO2 control.
  • Mini Kegerators: Typically larger but offer more space for multiple kegs. However, they may lack the precision of the BeerTender in maintaining ideal serving temperature and pressure.

Krups BeerTender B95 vs. Full-Size Kegerators

  • BeerTender B95: Compact, designed for small homebrews, and easier to store.
  • Full-Size Kegerators: Can accommodate larger kegs and are suited for those serving larger quantities of beer. However, they may take up more space and require more complex setup.

Compatibility with Other Beer Products

The BeerTender B95 is compatible with various beer dispensers, keg systems, and CO2 setups. For homebrewers, it’s important to ensure your kegs are the correct size and compatible with the BeerTender’s coupler system. Additionally, if you plan on using a different CO2 system, ensure that the regulator and connectors are compatible with the BeerTender B95’s requirements.

When selecting additional beer equipment, always verify that the components work together to maintain consistent carbonation and optimal serving temperature for your homebrew.