Foaming issue

[joshwilfong]

So, as I have little bartending experience, I imagine someone who does will find this rather mundane, but I am having foaming issues with one keg

Thus far I have drained the CO2 from the keg by releasing the valve at the top and opening the tap with the CO2 disconnected, both not resolving the problem. Some friends have suggested keeping the tap open until the beer runs clear, but I fear this will waste a good deal of beer. Any recommendations on how to remedy this and how to prevent it in the future would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[Weenie Boy]

I am thinking that you are trying to "de-gas" a beer that was over carbonated??
Not too difficult if that is the cause of the foaming (read not infected "wild keg").
Remove the co2 hose, liquid hose, and connectors from your keg. shake the keg pretty well for about 30 seconds. Bleed the gas from the keg by opening the pressure relief valve. Repeat these steps several times depending on how much it is overcarbonated.
It will sometimes take doing this several times over the period of a day.

Weenie Boy

[joshwilfong]

It isn't overcarbonated, as the beer that comes out is appropriately carbonated, but there is a huge head. I have another beer hooked up to the same regulator with the same CO2 psi, but without foaming issues. I am thinking it has something to do with air or gas in the keg or line?

[Stinkfist]

how long is your beer line? and what pressure do you keep it at?

[joshwilfong]

The beer line is 8 feet long and is pressurized to 12psi at about 50-55 degrees. I dont believe it to be a beer line issue, as i have a keg hooked up to the same system and it is perfectly carbonated without the foam issue. This beer I speak of is perfectly carbonated, but there is a huge foam issue. It's also not a wheat beer or another style that would be predisposed to large heads

[Grizz]

Does the foam settle down after a few pints have been poured back to back. Faucet might be to warm for the beer and causing it foam up. Also sounds stupid but how long has it been since you have cleaned that faucet. I had a friend of my that let his faucet go too long between cleanings. It was growing some crap in it that caused the beer to foam massively.

[Quin]

The beer line is 8 feet long and is pressurized to 12psi at about 50-55 degrees. I dont believe it to be a beer line issue, as i have a keg hooked up to the same system and it is perfectly carbonated without the foam issue. This beer I speak of is perfectly carbonated, but there is a huge foam issue. It's also not a wheat beer or another style that would be predisposed to large heads

It must be infected. Perfectly carbonated does not equal huge foam unless you are talking about a Duvel type beer.

[Stinkfist]

Grizz has a good point, if your line is dirty it could be creating nucleation sites....