Beer Line Cleaning And Why It's Important for Draft Beer
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Do you want to protect your beer lines, and have the best-tasting beer you can offer customers? If so, then it is important that you pay attention to beer line cleaning the right way. In this blog post, we will go over the most effective way of cleaning a beer line is. We will also discuss why it's important to clean them on a regular basis. The best cleaning equipment to use, and what to look for in a beer cleaning service.
So Why is Beer Line Cleaning Important?
There's a good answer to this.
The basic rule of thumb is that you need to clean your beer lines every 2 weeks. This is recommended by the brewers' association. It's a collection of distributors, retailers, brewers, and technicians from around the country. Beer line cleaning and serving quality draft beer go hand in hand. It's extremely important, and sometimes overlooked. Cleanings will affect beer pouring properly and most importantly, the taste and freshness. Let's talk about the beer cleaning process.
Cleaning Solutions
Cleaning a beer line is generally done with the help of an Alkaline cleaner (every 2 weeks). This is high in PH and used to kill organic compounds such as bacteria, yeast, and mold inside beer lines. Yes, these things exist in beer lines. When beer lines are cleaned periodically these organisms are kept in check. Another cleaning solution that's used with the caustic cleaning is an acid clean.
Acid cleaning is used to remove beer stones. Using these 2 cleaning solutions regularly. Will ensure draft beer systems pour great and beer tastes the way it's supposed to.
The Right Beer Line Cleaning Equipment
Using a recirculating pump during the cleaning process is 80% more effective than a static clean. A static clean is having the cleaning solution sitting in lines for 15-20 mins. Then rinsing the chemicals out of the system with cold water.
A recirculating pump is by far the most effective and go-to cleaning method for long draw beer systems in the beer industry. This system pumps a cleaning solution up the line, then back down through it for 15-20 mins. And this is where the recirculating pump is important because by running cleaning solution in both directions. You are getting an effective clean and also ensuring that all parts of your beer lines are getting cleaned.
Beer Line Cleaning Service
If you aren't cleaning your own beer lines in house. The best thing to do is have a beer line cleaning service come and clean your lines. Hiring a professional cleaning service will give you peace of mind, and ensure all parts of the beer system are getting cleaned the right way.
The most important thing to look for in a beer line cleaning service is the experience they have. Make sure they are familiar with long draw draft systems and certified beer cleaners.
Some other questions to ask potential beer cleaning companies are;
- What is their cleaning process look like? Make sure they are using a recirculating pump
- Ask them for recommendations and testimonials of clients they already take care of. These should be easy for them to get if they have them. Check their Google My Business Page if they have one or their website too.
- Ask if they clean the beer faucets and take beer equipment apart every couple weeks?
These are just a few important questions to ask a beer cleaning company before you hire them.
Summary
Beer line cleaning is a necessary part of serving draft beer. It's important that beer line cleanings is done every 2 weeks with a caustic solution. Use an Acid solution every 4 weeks to target beer stones.
For those companies who want to clean their own lines. I recommend investing in high-quality equipment such as a recirculating pump. This will give your beer system the best clean possible.
If you want to contract the work-out. Make sure you verify the beer cleaning service. You want someone reliable that will take care of your beer system the right way. Your customers will thank you for it.
If you are in the Bend area looking for someone to clean your beer lines. Please reach out to us here. And if you have any other questions regarding beer cleaning give us a call.
Cheers!