What Draft Beer System Do I Need? | Draft System Finder Quiz | Wholesale Beer Parts

What Draft Beer System Do I Need?

Whether you're opening a new bar, retrofitting an existing one, or building a home keezer, choosing the right draft system type determines your equipment list, installation cost, and ongoing maintenance. This quiz matches your setup to the right system — direct draw, forced-air remote, glycol long draw, or portable jockey box.

The three basic draft system types

Direct draw is the simplest: keg and tap are in the same unit or within 10–25 ft. Forced-air remote circulates cool air through an insulated line bundle for runs up to 25 ft. Long draw glycol uses a glycol chiller to keep beer cold through 25–200+ ft runs and is the professional standard for multi-tap bars separated from the walk-in cooler. Answer the questions below for a recommendation tailored to your distance, tap count, and budget.

How to choose the right draft system

The single most important factor is distance — how far your beer has to travel from the cooler to the faucet. Measure it before anything else, because it dictates the entire system type and most of the cost.

Under 10 ft, 1–2 taps: A kegerator or direct-draw tower is all you need. Keg sits directly below or behind the faucet, lines stay short (3–5 ft), and you run pure CO2. Cheapest and lowest-maintenance option — ideal for home, offices, and small bars.
10–25 ft: A forced-air remote system circulates cold air through the insulated line bundle. This is the practical ceiling for forced air — the Brewers Association caps it at 25 ft because the recirculated air warms before it reaches the tap beyond that distance.
25 ft and beyond: You need a glycol long-draw system. A glycol chiller pumps cold solution through a python bundle alongside the beer lines, holding beer at 38°F the entire run. This is the professional standard for any bar where the walk-in is separated from the bar top, and it requires barrier tubing (not vinyl), secondary regulators at each keg, and a 70/30 CO2/N2 gas blend.

After distance, factor in tap count (more taps means a larger chiller and trunk line), budget, and whether the setup is permanent or portable. For events with no power, a jockey box on ice is the right call. Run the quiz below for a recommendation matched to your exact numbers, or shop complete draft systems and components once you know your type.

Question 1 of 5

Key Components You'll Need

Gas Setup

Approximate Cost

Pros & Cons

✓ Pros

✕ Cons

See Bar Draft System Planner → Shop Draft Systems →

Frequently Asked Questions About Draft Beer Systems

What draft beer system do I need for my bar?

It comes down to the distance from your cooler to your taps. Under 10 ft, a direct-draw tower or kegerator works. From 10–25 ft, use a forced-air remote system. At 25 ft or more, you need a glycol long-draw system — the professional standard for bars where the walk-in is separated from the bar top. Tap count and budget refine the choice from there.

How far can beer travel before I need a glycol system?

The Brewers Association limits forced-air remote systems to 25 feet. Beyond that, the recirculated cold air warms before it reaches the tap end of the bundle, and beer temperature and foam quality suffer. For any run over 25 ft, a glycol-cooled long-draw system is required.

What's the difference between direct draw and long draw?

Direct draw keeps the keg within about 25 ft of the faucet — short lines, pure CO2, low cost, minimal maintenance. Long draw uses a glycol chiller and an insulated python bundle to serve beer over runs of 25 to 200+ ft, with barrier tubing, secondary regulators, and a 70/30 CO2/N2 blend. Long draw costs more but lets you place taps anywhere in the bar.

How much does a draft beer system cost?

A home kegerator or direct-draw setup runs about $200–$800. A small commercial direct-draw or forced-air system is roughly $500–$4,000 depending on tap count. A glycol long-draw system ranges from $3,000 to $20,000+ based on distance, tap count, and chiller size. Use the Bar Draft System Planner for a detailed estimate.

Can I use a kegerator for a small bar?

Yes, for 1–3 taps with the keg located directly below or behind the faucet. Kegerators and direct-draw towers are reliable and inexpensive for low-volume bars. Once you need more taps or the cooler has to sit farther from the bar, step up to a forced-air or glycol system.

Do I need a glycol chiller for a home draft system?

Almost never. Home setups keep the keg in the same unit or within a few feet of the faucet, so a kegerator or direct-draw tower on pure CO2 is all you need. Glycol systems are for commercial long-draw runs where beer travels more than 25 ft from the cooler.

Need to price out a full draft system?

Use our Bar Draft System Planner for a detailed cost estimate, or call 800-821-0114 to speak with a systems specialist. We design and supply complete draft systems for bars, breweries, and restaurants across the Northeast.

Shop Draft System Components