How to Professionally Clean & Sanitize Beer Tap Lines
Draft beer lines can easily get musty over time, leading to poor-tasting beer and even posing some potential health problems. There are several contributing factors that include yeast buildup, mold, beer stones (raw materials that contain calcium such as grains and water) and bacteria. That's why it's important to routinely maintain beer lines. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Hand pump or motorized pump Line cleaning chemical (caustic or pressurized) Protective eye glasses Rubber gloves Metal or plastic container or bucket
Instructions
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First, flush the beer lines with water using a hand pump or motorized electric pump.
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Second, choose a line-cleaning chemical. There are two to choose from: caustic or alkaline and pressurized cleaning. Caustic or alkaline cleaners dissolve proteins and hop resins and are effective in killing mold, bacteria and yeast. Acid line cleaners dissolve beer stones. Keep in mind that both are hazardous if not properly handled. Make sure you carefully follow any manufacturer directions regarding concentration levels and personal safety equipment such as gloves and protective eye wear.
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Third, determine the method of cleaning. There are two choices here as well: pressurized cleaning and recirculating cleaning. Pressurized cleaning is done by placing the cleaner into a container such as a metal or plastic bucket and forcing it through the lines using a hand pump or gas pressure such as CO2. Recirculating cleaning requires a motorized electric pump such as a Micro-Matic. This method is recommended for lines of more than 20 feet.
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Finally, flush the lines with water to ensure that all chemicals are rinsed away.
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Perform routine maintenance. It is important to clean beer lines about every two weeks. This will ensure good-tasting beer and proper hygiene. And the whole process only takes a few minutes.
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