Inline booster for beverage dispensing system

A heat transfer unit, comprising:

• a) a housing, defining a volume;
• b) a first inlet tube for introducing refrigerant into the housing and a first outlet tube for egress of the refrigerant, the first inlet and first outlet tubes being disconnected within the housing in order to allow refrigerant to accumulate in the volume;
• and
• c) a second tube disposed in the housing having an inlet and outlet situated exterior of the housing, the second tube being continuous through the volume so as to isolate the contents therein from the refrigerant in the housing.

A method for chilling a beverage in a beverage distribution system in which a beverage container is located distally from a beverage dispensing unit and the beverage delivered thereto via a pressurized beverage distribution line, the method comprising:

• a) cooling the container;
• b) cooling the beverage distribution line;
• c) installing a heat transfer unit nearer to the dispensing unit than the container, wherein the heat transfer unit comprises:
• i) a housing, defining a volume;
• ii) a first inlet tube for introducing refrigerant into the housing and a first outlet tube for egress of the refrigerant, the first inlet and outlet tubes being disconnected within the housing in order to allow refrigerant to accumulate in the volume;
• iii) a second tube disposed in the housing having an inlet and outlet situated exterior of the housing, the second tube being continuous through the volume so as to isolate the contents therein from the refrigerant in the housing;
• d) splicing the beverage distribution line to the inlet and outlet of the second tube;
• e) splicing the first inlet and first outlet to a refrigeration loop, wherein the loop circulates refrigerant through a heat exchanger, thereby circulating refrigerant through the heat transfer unit.

A method for reducing foaming of beer in a beer distribution system in which a keg is located distally from a dispensing tower and the beer delivered thereto under pressure via a beer distribution conduit, the method comprising:

• a) cooling the keg;
• b) pressurizing the bulk of the beer distribution line to at least 36 psi;
• and
• c) selecting conduit having one or more diameters such that a beer flow rate of about one to two ounces per second is achieved at the dispensing tower.