Maintaining Your Draft Beer System: Tips and Best Practices

Maintaining your draft beer system is essential to ensure that your customers are served the freshest, highest quality beer. Not only will this keep them coming back for more, but it will also save you money in the long run by reducing the need for repairs and replacements. Here are some tips and best practices for maintaining your draft beer system:

1.       Clean your draft lines regularly. The draft lines are the tubes that carry the beer from the keg to the tap, and if they are not cleaned regularly, they can become clogged with sediment and bacteria. This can result in poor tasting beer and increased waste. To clean your draft lines, use a draft line cleaning solution and follow the manufacturer's instructions. This should be done every two to four weeks, depending on the volume of beer being served.

2.       Keep your kegs cold. Proper storage temperature is crucial for maintaining the quality of your draft beer. The ideal storage temperature for kegs is between 36-38°F. If the kegs are stored at a higher temperature, the beer can become skunked and lose its flavor.

3.       Check the CO2 pressure regularly. The CO2 pressure in your draft beer system is what pushes the beer from the keg to the tap. If the pressure is too high, the beer will foam excessively and if it is too low, the beer will be flat and lack carbonation. To ensure that the CO2 pressure is correct, use a CO2 pressure gauge to check the pressure in your keg.

4.       Change the keg couplers regularly. The keg couplers are the connectors that attach the draft lines to the kegs. If they are not replaced regularly, they can become worn and may leak, resulting in wasted beer and decreased profits. It is recommended to replace the keg couplers every six months to ensure a proper seal.

5.       Use a draft beer system cleaning kit. A draft beer system cleaning kit includes all the necessary tools and supplies to thoroughly clean and sanitize your draft beer system. This includes the keg couplers, draft lines, and taps. Using a cleaning kit ensures that all parts of the system are properly cleaned and reduces the risk of contamination.

By following these tips and best practices, you can maintain your draft beer system and serve the freshest, highest quality beer to your customers. Not only will this keep them coming back for more, but it will also save you money in the long run by reducing the need for repairs and replacements.