Install a Draft Beer System in a Basement Bar

A great addition to your basement bar, a draft beer system virtually guarantees your friends will always be over and that you will be provided with cold, pressurized draft beer anytime you want it. No longer will you have to buy beer in bottles. Instead, you can drink it the way it was intended: on draft. Rather than try to retrofit your basement bar, it is easiest if you have a space already allotted for draft beer. That entails a space for a small refrigerator, COâ‚‚ tank and line and the tap. Aside from that you will need an electric power supply. 

Step 1: Placement of Old Fridge

Find a place for your keg refrigerator which is essentially an old kitchen fridge with the inside racks cleared out. Inside the keg will sit, connect to both the tap and the COâ‚‚ tank. Position it in a convenient location in your basement bar so it is easily accessible. 

Step 2: Drill Holes in the Fridge

The next step is to drill two holes in the fridge: one in front for the tap fixture and one in back for COâ‚‚ hose.  Measure the size of both to determine the exact size of the hole. You will seal up around the holes after installation, but they should not be much bigger than what will go through them. 

Step 3: Install the Tap Fixture

Into the front install the tap fixture. You may need to drill pilot holes for any fasteners that are required to affix the handle to the fridge door. Position the tap handle right side up and set in place with the necessary hardware. On the inside it should be attached to a length of tubing to reach the keg. Where the tube meets the tap, secure the connection with a hose clamp. 

Step 4: Install the COâ‚‚

To the COâ‚‚ tank attaches the pressure regulator which should be kept between 10 and 13 psi for optimal pressure on the draft beer. To the regulator attaches another length of tubing secured with a hose clamp. Run this tube to the keg as well through the back hole you drilled in the fridge. 

Step 5: Attach Tubing to Tap

The tap disconnect is what screws onto the beer keg and opens up the valve to release the beer. Onto the disconnect goes the the COâ‚‚ tube as well as the tube leading to the tap handle. Once activated, the COâ‚‚ pressurizes the beer inside which causes it to rise out through to the tap handle, requiring no pumping. 

Step 6: Seal Around Holes

Where you drilled holes in the refrigerator, seal around the tubing with caulk if necessary to prevent the cold air from escaping. An alternative method is to use circular rubber gaskets, but they must be installed before you feed the tubing through. 

With your draft beer installation in place, your only future expense will be new kegs, a refilled canister of COâ‚‚ and the occasional cleaning of the lines to ensure that the beer always tastes great.