Kegging and overcarbonation

[lobodiablo]

During my first time Kegging a batch I was a little over-excited and started up without reading up on all the differences between kegging and bottling. I added too much priming sugar (1/2 a cup instead of the recommended 1/3 cup). My question is: can I avoid over-carbonation in a standard Corny keg by releasing some of the pressure with the CO2 valve as it ages? Is the difference between 1/2 a cup and 1/3 even that much of a concern? (I don't want to pour endless cups of foam) This is my first post, but I've been reading the forums for some time. Thanks in advance!

[Fast_Eddy]

Originally posted by lobodiablo
During my first time Kegging a batch I was a little over-excited and started up without reading up on all the differences between kegging and bottling. I added too much priming sugar (1/2 a cup instead of the recommended 1/3 cup). My question is: can I avoid over-carbonation in a standard Corny keg by releasing some of the pressure with the CO2 valve as it ages? Is the difference between 1/2 a cup and 1/3 even that much of a concern? (I don't want to pour endless cups of foam) This is my first post, but I've been reading the forums for some time. Thanks in advance!

You can absolutely de-carbonate your beer in a keg. All you do is keep pressure off of it like you said - just pull the CO2 tab 3 or 4 times a day for 2-3 days. I generally let the beer warm up 10-15 degrees too because the warmer it is the more CO2 comes out of solution.

[toneyc]

I honestly don't think that the difference between 1/3 and 1/2 cup is enough to worry about. Um, 1/6 of a cup?

:)
Toney.

[Jughead]

Depending on the length and resistance of your beer line, you may even need the excess pressure to push the beer. You need to balance your system. Trial and error is a good way to balance it. If you have too much pressure when you put the beer on tap, just release some. If you have not enough, crank up the regulator. If your beers are always too foamy, add more beer line. If they pour too slowly, take some beer line out.

[lobodiablo]

Thanks for the help guys! I'll see what she does and go from there.