Beer Line Cleaning Service: Why It’s Important and How to Choose the Best Provider

Beer line cleaning service is essential in the hospitality industry to ensure that customers are served high-quality beer. Beer lines that are not cleaned regularly can harbor bacteria, yeast, and beer stone, which can affect the taste and quality of the beer. This can lead to unsatisfied customers and loss of business for the establishment. Therefore, it is crucial for bars, restaurants, and other establishments that serve beer to have regular beer line cleaning services.

There are companies that offer draft beer and line cleaning services, and each has its unique approach and pricing. Some companies offer preventive maintenance services, which are essential in maintaining the draught beer system for quality pours and taste. Others offer glycol-cooled beverage system installation and repair services in addition to cleaning the draft beer lines. It is important for establishments to choose a beer line cleaning service provider that suits their needs and budget.

Beer line cleaning is not just about maintaining the quality of beer, but it is also about complying with health and safety regulations. The Brewers Association requires that beer dispensing systems be cleaned every two weeks to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. Therefore, regular beer line cleaning services are not only essential for the quality of beer but also for the safety and compliance of the establishment.

Why Beer Line Cleaning is Important

Regular beer line cleaning is essential to maintain the quality and taste of draft beer. As soon as a beer keg is tapped into a beer system, organic and inorganic deposits build up on the draft beer system and contact surfaces such as beer lines and keg couplers. These deposits can lead to the growth of bacteria, yeast, mold, and other microorganisms that can affect the flavor, taste and aroma of the beer.

Dirty beer lines can also cause foaming, flat beer, and off-flavors, which can result in customer complaints and lost sales. In addition, beer systems that are not properly cleaned can cause health hazards, as they can harbor harmful bacteria and other pathogens.

According to the Brewers Association, beer lines need cleaning every two weeks to maintain quality and avoid potential health hazards. Monthly cleans can result in more yeast, mold, beer stone, and bacteria build-up in a beer system than two weeks before, which can compromise beer and give it an off-taste.

By regularly cleaning beer lines, beer dispensing systems can maintain the quality of the beer and ensure customer satisfaction. It can also help to extend the life of the beer dispensing equipment, as it prevents the build-up of deposits that can cause damage to the entire beer stone and system.

How Beer Line Cleaning Works

Beer line cleaning is a crucial process to maintain the quality of beer and ensure that it is safe to drink. The process involves three main steps: pre-cleaning preparation, cleaning the beer lines, and post-cleaning checks. Each step is essential to ensure that the beer lines are cleaned thoroughly and free from any contaminants.

Step 1: Pre-Cleaning Preparation

Before starting the cleaning process, it is essential to prepare the necessary equipment and materials. The following items are needed for pre-cleaning preparation:

• Beer line cleaning solution
• Recirculating pump
• Spanner wrench
• Clean towels or rags
• Buckets or containers

Once the equipment is ready, the first step is to shut off the gas to the kegerator or beer system. The technician should then disconnect the coupler from the keg and open the beer faucet to release beer from the line. The spanner wrench is used to take off the beer faucet.

Add Jumper lines to the faucet openings and couple draft lines from the couplers in the cooler to draft lines to create a loop with the beer system. Put faucets into a bucket with alkaline cleaner to soak.

Step 2: Cleaning the Beer Lines

After the pre-cleaning preparation, the technician can start cleaning the beer lines. The following steps should be taken:

1. Fill the bucket or sink with water. Temperature from 80-100 degrees and flush all of the beer from the beer system.
2. Once the beer system is flushed add the alkaline chemical to your system. We use Micromatic's Alkaline Cleaner for our routinely cleaned clients. Using 5-gallon buckets our ratio is 2 liters of chemical to 5-gallon water buckets. Let the chemical run through the entire system before you start the 15-minute timer.
3. Once the system is circulating. This is a good time to clean the faucets from the beer tower. Take them apart and rinse thoroughly. After rinsing put them back together.
4. After the 15 min recirculating pump clean. Circulate water through the system until the chemical is gone. This can take anywhere from 5-15 minutes. Check the water with PH strips to make sure the chemical is completely gone. We are looking for 7 on the PH paper.
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Step 3: Post-Cleaning Checks

After proper cleaning of the entire system and the beer lines, the technician should perform post-cleaning checks to ensure that the beer lines are clean and free from any contaminants. The following checks should be performed:

• Check the clarity and color of the beer. If the beer is cloudy or has an off-taste, it may indicate that the beer lines were not cleaned properly.
• Check the temperature of the beer. 38 degrees is what we want.
• Check the pressure of the beer. Applied pressure on kegs with pure Co2 is 12-14 PSI. If it's a blended gas it can very.

Overall, draft beer line cleaning is a crucial process to maintain the quality and safety of beer. By following the three main steps of draft beer line cleaning: pre-cleaning preparation, cleaning the beer lines, and post-cleaning checks, technicians can ensure that the draft beer lines themselves are clean and free from any contaminants.

Benefits of Professional Beer Line Cleaning Services

Expertise and Experience

Professional beer line cleaning services offer expertise and experience that can ensure your beer lines are cleaned effectively and efficiently. Trained technicians use specialized equipment and cleaning solutions to remove buildup and bacteria from your beer lines, resulting in better-tasting beer and fewer customer complaints.

Additionally, professional beer line cleaning services can provide regular maintenance and diagnostic services to your draft lines to prevent future issues and ensure your beer lines and entire system are always in top condition.

Cost-Effectiveness

While some bar and restaurant owners may be hesitant to invest in professional beer line cleaning services due to the cost, it can actually be a cost-effective solution in the long run. Regular cleaning and maintenance of beer stone itself can prevent costly repairs and replacements of beer lines and equipment, as well as reduce beer waste and improve overall efficiency.

Furthermore, outsourcing beer line cleaning to professionals can save internal labor costs, as well as eliminate the need to purchase and handle chemical line cleaners. This can also reduce the risk of injury or damage to the equipment caused by improper handling of cleaning solutions.

Overall, investing in professional beer line cleaning services can provide a range of benefits to bar and restaurant owners, from better-tasting beer to cost savings and improved efficiency.

Choosing the Right Beer Line Cleaning Service

When it comes to maintaining a clean and healthy, draft system and beer system, choosing the right draught beer system and line cleaning service is crucial. With options available, it can be challenging to determine which service provider is best suited for your business. This section will provide some essential factors to consider when selecting a draught beer system and line cleaning service.

Here's a System Trouble Shooting Checklist For Remote, Direct-Draw and Air-Cooled Systems.

Experience and Reputation

One of the most critical factors to consider when choosing a beer line cleaning service is their experience and reputation. It's essential to select a service provider that has a proven track record of providing high-quality service. Look for a company that has been in business for several years and has a solid reputation in the industry. You can check online reviews and ask for references to get a better idea of the company's reputation.

Equipment and Techniques

The equipment and techniques used by the beer line cleaning service are also essential to consider. Ensure that the company uses recirculation pumps and the proper cleaning techniques to provide the most effective cleaning possible. Ask about their cleaning process and the products they use to ensure that they are safe and effective. The company should also be able to provide detailed information on its cleaning process and the equipment they use.

Pricing and Packages

Pricing is another vital factor to consider when choosing a beer line cleaning service. While it's essential to find a service provider that offers competitive pricing, it's also important to ensure that you're getting high-quality service. Look for a company that offers transparent pricing and provides detailed information on their packages.

Overall, choosing the right draft system and beer line cleaning service is crucial to maintaining a clean and healthy draft beer system. Consider the company's experience and reputation, equipment and techniques, and pricing and packages when making your draft system and decision.

Conclusion

Beer line cleaning service is an essential process that ensures the quality, flavor and safety of the beer being served. Regular and proper cleaning up of beer lines helps to prevent the buildup of bacteria, yeast, and mold, which can affect the flavor and taste of the beer and pose health risks to consumers.

Professional draft beer line cleaning and services offer a convenient and effective solution for maintaining clean and hygienic draft beer lines. These services use specialized equipment and cleaning solutions to spotless and sanitize draft beer lines themselves, faucets, and other components of the draft beer system.

By outsourcing beer line cleaning to a professional service, bar, and restaurant owners can save time and money while ensuring the highest quality of beer for their customers. It is recommended to schedule regular cleaning appointments with a trusted beer line cleaning service to maintain the integrity of the draft beer system and ensure customer satisfaction.