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🔧Technical Support Portal

Draught Beer
Troubleshooting
Guide

Identify your problem, follow the step-by-step resolution and use the CO₂ pressure calculator to set the correct regulator for each beer.

5
Issues Covered
3
Beer Brands
20+
Solutions
24/7
Support
Alhambra tapSan Miguel tapMahou tap
🔍

What issue are you experiencing?

Select a problem to see causes, symptoms and step-by-step solutions.

🚱
No Beer Coming Out
Tap pulls but nothing flows
🫧
Beer Is Too Foamy
Excessive foam, poor pour
💨
Beer Burps or Sputters
Inconsistent, spitting flow
😖
Beer Tastes Off
Metallic, flat, or strange flavour
🌡️
Beer Is Too Warm
Temperature or cooling issues
🍺

Select a problem above to start diagnosing your draught system.

Preventive Maintenance Tips
🧹
Clean lines every 2-3 weeksDirty lines are the #1 cause of quality issues.
🎚️
Check CO₂ pressure regularlyIncorrect pressure causes foam or flat beer.
❄️
Keep kegs at 2-5°CWarm kegs foam immediately. Check glycol chiller.
📅
Rotate stock FIFOUse the oldest keg first. Max 4 weeks on tap.
Daily Checklist
0 / 6 completed
🚱
No Beer Coming Out
3 common causes - Average resolution: 5-20 min
Tap a cause to expand
1
Keg or gas tank is emptyCritical
▼
Symptoms
  • Gas rushes out of faucet
  • Other lines pour slowly
  • Gas gauge reads 0
Solutions
  • Connect a full keg
  • Connect a full gas tank
  • Purge air from lines after replacing
2
Gas valves are shut offMedium
▼
Symptoms
  • Beer pours slowly then stops
  • Gauge shows gas present
Solutions
  • Turn toggle parallel to the gas line
  • Check all valves from tank to coupler
3
Coupler not fully engagedMedium
▼
Symptoms
  • Beer leaking around keg neck
  • Partial flow or none at all
Solutions
  • Press coupler handle fully and lock
  • Check coupler O-rings for wear
Step-by-step first response
  • 1
    Check gas gaugeIf reading 0, replace the CO₂ or mixed gas tank immediately.
  • 2
    Check all gas valvesEvery valve from tank to coupler must be open - parallel to pipe.
  • 3
    Inspect coupler connectionEnsure handle is fully pressed down and locked.
  • 4
    Purge the linesOpen tap and let 1-2 pints flow to clear air pockets.
  • 5
    Call Else Group if unresolvedInternal line blockage requires professional attention.
🫧
Beer Is Too Foamy
4 common causes - Most frequent complaint
Tap a cause to expand
1
CO₂ pressure too highCritical
▼
Symptoms
  • Mostly foam even when pouring slowly
  • Hissing from regulator
Solutions
  • Use CO₂ calculator to find correct pressure
  • Reduce in 0.1 bar steps, wait 10 min between
2
Beer or lines too warmCritical
▼
Symptoms
  • First pint all foam, later pints fine
  • Worse in summer or busy periods
Solutions
  • Check glycol chiller - target 1-2°C output
  • Ensure keg room is at 2-5°C
3
Dirty or contaminated linesMedium
▼
Symptoms
  • Foam appears days after a clean install
  • Off-taste alongside excess foam
Solutions
  • Schedule immediate line clean
  • Lines must be cleaned every 2-3 weeks
4
Greasy or dirty glasswareLow
▼
Symptoms
  • Foam collapses instantly on pour
  • Bubbles cling to glass walls
Solutions
  • Rinse glasses with cold water before each pour
  • Use beer glass detergent only - never sanitiser
Step-by-step first response
  • 1
    Check keg temperatureTarget 2-5°C. Even 1°C too warm causes foam.
  • 2
    Verify CO₂ pressureUse calculator below. Reduce in 0.1 bar increments.
  • 3
    Check last line clean dateMore than 3 weeks - schedule a clean immediately.
  • 4
    Inspect glasswareHold glass to light - look for grease or lipstick marks.
  • 5
    Discard and re-pour after each adjustmentAlways discard half a pint before evaluating.
💨
Beer Burps or Sputters
3 common causes - Often gas-related
Tap a cause to expand
1
Air in the beer linesCritical
▼
Symptoms
  • Spitting and spurting at faucet
  • Happened right after keg change
Solutions
  • Pour and discard 2-3 pints to purge air
  • Always purge after keg replacement
2
Gas pressure fluctuationMedium
▼
Symptoms
  • Inconsistent pour across sessions
  • Gauge needle moves during pouring
Solutions
  • Inspect regulator for damage or wear
  • Replace regulator if pressure is unstable
3
Keg nearly emptyLow
▼
Symptoms
  • Sputtering at end of each pour
  • Gas breaks through with the beer
Solutions
  • Replace keg - it is at end of fill
Step-by-step first response
  • 1
    When did it start?Right after keg change = air. Gradual = regulator or keg almost empty.
  • 2
    Purge the linesPour 2-3 pints slowly and discard.
  • 3
    Check keg weightA 30L keg weighs ~10 kg when empty. If light, replace it.
  • 4
    Monitor regulator gaugePressure should be steady. If needle jumps, replace the regulator.
😖
Beer Tastes Off
4 common causes - Taste guide included
Tap a cause to expand
1
Dirty beer lines (metallic / sour)Critical
▼
Symptoms
  • Metallic or sour aftertaste
  • Taste worsens the more you pour
Solutions
  • Clean lines immediately - do not serve
  • Clean every 2-3 weeks to prevent recurrence
2
Buttery taste (diacetyl)Return keg
▼
Symptoms
  • Buttery or butterscotch flavour throughout
  • Consistent across the entire keg
Solutions
  • Brewery fermentation fault - note batch number
  • Contact Else Group for return and quality claim
3
Creamed corn taste (DMS)Return keg
▼
Symptoms
  • Cooked vegetable or corn smell
  • Consistent throughout the entire keg
Solutions
  • DMS = brewery fault - return to Else Group
4
Stale, papery, or flat tasteReturn keg
▼
Symptoms
  • Wet cardboard or papery aroma
  • Beer tastes flat and oxidised
Solutions
  • Check keg expiry - do not serve if expired
  • Only use CO₂ - never a hand or air pump
Step-by-step first response
  • 1
    Recent line cleaning?Pour 4-5 pints and discard. If metallic fades, it was cleaning residue.
  • 2
    Identify the flavourButtery = diacetyl. Corn = DMS. Cardboard or flat = oxidation.
  • 3
    Check keg expiry dateLook at the best-before stamp on the keg collar.
  • 4
    Confirm gas sourceUse CO₂ or CO₂/N₂ mix only. Air pumps oxidise beer instantly.
  • 5
    Return the kegContact Else Group to arrange a return and quality claim.
🌡️
Beer Is Too Warm / Cooling Issues
3 common causes - Affects foam and flavour
Tap a cause to expand
1
Glycol chiller not working correctlyCritical
▼
Symptoms
  • All taps pour warm beer
  • Glycol fan running but no cooling effect
Solutions
  • Check glycol setting - target 1-2°C output
  • Ensure reservoir is full with antifreeze mix
  • Contact Else Group for chiller service
2
Walk-in cooler temperature too highMedium
▼
Symptoms
  • Kegs stored above 7°C
  • Foam problem appeared gradually
Solutions
  • Set cooler to 2-5°C
  • Check door seals for wear
3
Beer line running through warm areaMedium
▼
Symptoms
  • Only the farthest taps pour warm
  • Closer taps are fine
Solutions
  • Insulate trunk line through warm spaces
  • Ensure glycol runs alongside beer line in trunk
Step-by-step first response
  • 1
    Which taps are affected?All warm = chiller issue. Only distant taps = line insulation.
  • 2
    Inspect the glycol chillerCheck output thermometer. Above 3°C = may need servicing.
  • 3
    Check cooler temperaturePlace a thermometer inside. Target 2-5°C.
  • 4
    Inspect line insulationTrace trunk from cooler to bar. Look for gaps in foam wrap.
  • 5
    Contact Else GroupTemperature system failures require professional service.
CO₂ Pressure Calculator
Based on official Else Group CO₂ table - Range 6°C to 39°C
Select Beer
Keg Temperature
6°C
6°CIdeal: 6-9°C39°C
✅Ideal keg temperature range
Recommended CO₂ Pressure
0.8bar
for San Miguel Especial at 6°C
Pressure Level
Adjust in 0.1 bar increments
Our Beer Portfolio
Technical reference for each brand
San Miguel tap
San Miguel
San Miguel Especial
Spanish Lager - 5.4% ABV
Best SellerCO₂30L kegServe 3-5°C
Alhambra tap
Alhambra
Alhambra Reserva 1925
Premium Lager - 6.4% ABV
PremiumCO₂20L kegServe 3-5°C
Mahou tap
Mahou
Mahou Cinco Estrellas
Spanish Lager - 5.5% ABV
CO₂30L kegServe 3-5°C