Kegerator Beverage Lines: How Many Do You Need?

What a Beverage Line Means on a Listing

A beverage line, also called a beer line or dispense hose on listings, is the tube that carries beer from the keg to the faucet on the tower. In a tower kegerator, each faucet is served by its own line, so the line count is tied to the number of taps.

Listings do not always use the same word. You may see "beverage line", "beer line", "dispense line", "hose", or "line set" in a title or bullet list. When the word appears in the title, it usually means the unit includes the lines or that a line kit is available. When the word is missing, the tap count on the tower still tells you how many lines the unit is built for.

• beverage line
• beer line
• dispense line
• hose
• line set
• dispense kit

How the Line Count Matches the Tap Count

In a standard tower setup, one faucet needs one line. A single tap tower has one line, a dual tap tower has two, a triple tap tower has three, and a four tap tower has four. The listing states the tap count, and the line count follows it.

When a listing says "two tap tower" or "dual tap", you can expect the line set for two taps. If the listing shows the taps but does not mention lines, read the bullet list to see whether lines are listed as included. If they are not stated, ask the seller, because lines are often sold separately.

Planning Lines for the Beers You Want

Decide how many beers you want on draft before you compare listings. Each beer on draft takes one line, so the number of lines you need equals the number of faucets you plan to use. A single tap listing suits one beer; dual and triple towers suit two or three; a four tap tower suits four.

For a home bar that rotates between two beers, a dual tap tower fits. For a larger gathering space or a small venue, triple or four tap towers give more options at once. The line count is the planning number, and it is always the same as the tap count.

Dual and Triple Tower Setups as Listing Words

On this site, guides separate single, dual, triple, and four tap kegerators so you can compare stated details within one tap count. A dual tap listing is a unit with a two-faucet tower; a triple tap listing has three faucets. The line set usually arrives with the tower, but the listing may call it a "dispense kit" or "line kit".

When you read a dual or triple listing, check the box contents. Some listings include the lines and couplers; others state that the lines are sold separately. The phrase "tap kit" or "dispense kit" tells you the lines, faucets, and related parts are packaged together. See how a single tap compares to a dual tap and how a dual tap compares to a triple tap for the decision points.

What to Read Before You Buy

Read the bullet list for the words "line", "line set", "dispense kit", and "box contents". If a listing says "not stated by the seller" for lines, that is a signal to ask for the details rather than guess.

If the tower has two faucets and the listing does not mention lines, compare it with a listing that does include a line set. The difference between "tower only" and "tower with lines" changes what you receive and what you need to buy separately.

For a conversion refrigerator, the listing may sell the tower and lines separately. Read the same box contents information. Related articles on tower tap count and beer line material cover the component details.

How the Guides Group Kegerators by Tap Count

The site's ordering rule groups picks by the number of taps, because taps drive the line count and the serving plan. You can compare single tap models in the single tap guide, dual tap models in the dual tap guide, and triple tap models in the triple tap guide.

If you want four beers on draft, the four tap guide covers that group. If you want a full size cabinet, the full size guide uses the same stated details approach. The main kegerator guide is the starting point for all tap counts.

What to pick for your situation

Questions

Does a kegerator listing always state the number of beverage lines?

No. Some listings state the tap count and the line count together, while others only show the tap count. Read the bullet list for "line set" or "dispense kit". When lines are not stated, ask the seller before you buy.

How many lines do I need for a dual tap tower?

A dual tap tower serves two faucets, so it needs two lines, one for each tap. The listing may call this a two-line dispense kit.

Are beverage lines included in the box or sold apart?

It depends on the listing. Read the box contents list to see whether the lines are included. When the listing says the lines are sold separately, that is usually stated in the bullet list or in the title with a word like "tap kit".

Can one line serve two taps?

In a standard tower arrangement, each faucet is served by its own line from a keg. A listing that shows two faucets is built for two lines. The guides on this site compare stated details for each tap count.

What should I read before buying a kegerator for several beers?

Check the tap count, the line count if it is stated, and the box contents. Compare listings within the same tap count using the site's guides, and confirm that the line set matches the number of faucets.

Does the line count change with the keg size?

The line count follows the taps, not the keg size. A dual tap tower still uses two lines whether the unit holds one keg or more. The keg size affects which cabinet you choose, not how many lines you need.