Commercial Glycol Chillers & Long Draw Cooling Systems
Glycol is the only reliable way to keep beer cold from a walk-in cooler to a draft tower over distances greater than 25 feet. A glycol power pack circulates chilled propylene glycol through the trunk line alongside your beer lines, maintaining serving temperature — typically 34–38°F — all the way to the faucet.
What We Carry
- Glycol power packs — self-contained chillers with pump, reservoir, and refrigeration unit; sized by BTU output and number of trunk lines
- Replacement pumps & motors — brass rotary vane clamp-on pumps and dual-voltage 1/3 HP glycol pump motors to keep an existing power pack running
- Thermostats — Danfoss digital thermostats (standard for UBC models) and the Taprite universal digital thermostat probe
- Installation hardware — flow restrictor segment sticks and 4" galvanized "Y" duct fittings for long-draw runs
Sizing Your System
- Run length: systems are rated for runs from 15 ft up to 500+ ft
- Tap count: more taps = more BTU demand; oversizing is better than undersizing
- Ambient temperature: warm spaces (kitchens, outdoor bars) require more cooling capacity
- Number of trunk lines: multi-zone bars may need multiple circuits or a larger power pack
Glycol Concentration
Most commercial systems run a 35–40% propylene glycol / water mix, which provides freeze protection to approximately -10°F and keeps beer lines at serving temp without freezing. Use food-grade propylene glycol only — never ethylene glycol.
Not sure what size system you need? Contact us with your run length, tap count, and cooler location — we'll help you spec it correctly.
Glycol System FAQ
How far can beer lines run with a glycol system before the beer gets warm?
A properly sized glycol power pack keeps beer at 34–38°F for runs from 15 ft up to 500+ ft, because the chilled glycol jacket runs alongside the beer line the whole distance instead of relying on ambient cooling. Without glycol, any run over roughly 20–25 ft will let the beer warm up before it reaches the faucet.
What's the difference between a single-pump and double-pump power pack?
A single-pump power pack circulates glycol through one trunk line, suited to one draft zone or tower. A double-pump unit runs two independent circuits at the same BTU rating, which is the right call for two separate bars, back-to-back towers, or a setup you plan to expand rather than rebuild later.
How do I know what size (BTU) glycol power pack I need?
BTU need scales with tap count, trunk line length, and ambient temperature — more taps and longer, warmer runs both push you toward a bigger power pack. Oversizing is cheap insurance; undersizing means warm pours during a rush. Send us your tap count, run length, and cooler location and we'll spec the right unit before you order.
Can I use antifreeze (ethylene glycol) instead of propylene glycol?
No. Ethylene glycol is toxic and has no place near a beer line — a leak or cross-connection becomes a health hazard, not just a maintenance issue. Use food-grade propylene glycol only, mixed 35–40% with water for freeze protection down to about -10°F.
Do I need a glycol system if my kegerator sits right next to the tap?
If the keg and faucet are in the same cooler or within a few feet, a glycol power pack is usually overkill — a short, insulated line or a direct-draw setup will hold temperature fine. Glycol earns its cost once the run passes roughly 20–25 ft or crosses into a warm space like a bar top or kitchen pass.
Building a Full Long Draw System?
A glycol chiller is one piece of a complete long-draw draft beer system. See our Draft Beer Trunk Line collection for insulated trunk line that carries beer and glycol between the cooler and bar, and Draft Beer Towers for the dispense point at the end of the run.
