Line Balancing
A balanced draft system delivers beer at exactly 2 fl oz per second — about 8 seconds for a pint. To achieve this, applied gas pressure must equal total system resistance. This calculator uses the Brewers Association method to check your balance and tell you exactly how to fix it.
Your Draft System
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Target: applied pressure = total resistance → 2 fl oz/sec pour rate
Balance Breakdown
Line resistance (— × — ft)—
Elevation factor (—)—
Total system resistance—
Applied gas pressure—
Balance difference—
Balanced Line Length at Your Pressure
Net pressure available for line resistance: — PSI (after elevation adjustment)
| Line Type | Resistance | Balanced Length | Best Use |
|---|
BA Rule: Once gas pressure is set to maintain beer carbonation, never adjust it to change pour speed. Adjust line length or diameter instead. Changing gas pressure to fix flow will alter the carbonation level of your beer. — Brewers Association Draught Beer Quality Manual, 4th Ed.
Line Type Guide
| Material | Resistance | Where to Use | Replace Every |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/16" Vinyl | 3.0 PSI/ft | Direct draw jumper lines, kegerators | 1–2 years |
| 1/4" Vinyl | 0.85 PSI/ft | Direct draw, high-flow applications | 1–2 years |
| 3/16" Barrier Tubing | ~2.2 PSI/ft | Long draw main run — industry required | 2–3 years |
| 3/16" Choker Line | 3.0 PSI/ft | Fine-tuning resistance at tower end (long draw) | With line cleaning |
| Stainless Steel | Low | Shanks and tower internals only | Never (clean only) |
| ⚠️ Polyethylene tubing is for glycol lines only — never use as beer line. Vinyl and polyethylene should never be used in long-draw bundles (barrier tubing only). | |||