4 Tips for Maintaining a Draft Beer System

As a bar owner, offering Georgia craft beers, your job is to keep your patrons satisfied by supplying them with the best-tasting beer you can offer. To ensure this stays consistent, you should regularly conduct draft system maintenance. After all, there's no faster way to ruin the taste of a cold pint than by not keeping your unit clean and its PTFE tubes in good condition. To help you out, here are some simple tips for taking care of your unit.

Turn the Unit Off

The first thing you need to do is ensure that the system is turned off and unplugged. This way, you'll stay safe while conducting maintenance work. You should also turn off the CO2 tank so you won't accidentally waste gas. Afterward, take out the kegs and clear out the storage cabinets under the unit.

Clean All the Surfaces

Once you're done clearing the area, wipe the surfaces of your unit. You can use a simple cloth and bucket of water to do the job. Add a few drops of dishwashing liquid to get rid of stubborn spots faster.

Don't forget to clean the keg taps and drip trays. Doing this will get rid of microorganisms like vinegar bacteria, kombucha colonies, and rouge yeast. They can be present in puddles of spilled beer, which can contaminate fresh batches.

Maintain Proper Pressure

Maintaining your CO2 pressure at its optimal setting is key to successful beverage dispensing. When you open the tap, the gas will push the liquid out and fill the gap the beer leaves behind. This quick exchange ensures that the inside of the reservoir is sealed so you can keep the drink carbonated.

Usually, lagers are dispensed at 10 PSI. Meanwhile, when you have stout, you should raise it to 25. Also, make sure that the CO2 tank is placed properly. If not, it can lead to expensive complications.

Flush the Beer Lines

Lastly, give the tube lines your attention. They're the most crucial components you need to clean because they're where your beer flows. Eventually, they can host some impurities from leftover products. If left for a long time, bacteria will develop. They can make their way into a fresh pint. The contamination will alter the taste and cause health complications.

That said, before you use cleaners, make sure all the lines are in good condition. If there are any damaged pieces, stop using them and call a PTFE supplier for replacements.

Following these care tips will ensure you’re offering your customers the best Georgia beers!