Draft Beer & Beer Systems Archives - Page 3 of 4

How Long Does a Keg Last?

March 5, 2021

If you’re looking to incorporate a draft beer system into your bar or restaurant, then there’s a lot to learn. Like how long does a keg last?

Whereas previous generations may have treated beer as a low-brow drink unworthy of major investment, younger American adults have revitalized the role of beer in American culture. As a result, beer has become increasingly complicated, reflecting the investment of beer manufacturers in the flavors and variety expected by the millennials and now gen Z. That means that businesses selling draft beer have to be prepared to provide the quality those demographics expect if they want to stay competitive.

At SC Bev, we supply Inland Empire beer systems of the highest quality. For the best Los Angeles draft beer service, look no further.

Why Go for Draft?

The advantage of installing a draft beer system over simply refrigerating a bunch of bottles comes down to freshness, flavor, and overall quality. Here are just a few reasons you might consider swapping that bulky fridge out for a sleeker line of glittering taps.

Bottles are exposed to light

When beer is exposed to light, weird things can happen. After prolonged exposure, a chemical reaction occurs within the beer that results in a foul-smelling and tasting beer. When this happens, it is usually said that the beer has been “skunked” due to the similarity in aroma. In the case of bottles, you have no control over the shipping process and no guarantee that one of your customers won’t encounter a skunked beer.

Bottles don’t provide a complete seal

The bottling process is designed to be sanitary, but it isn’t air-tight. Even a slow exchange of gases between the outside world and the bottled beer can result in the beer being flat and losing some of its flavor.

Draft beer systems allow you to control the temperature

Different beers have special requirements in regard to temperature, pressure, and head if you’re aiming for the best experience. Customizable draft beer systems and a knowledgeable bartender allow you to consistently provide that experience to your customers.

People love the extra carbonation

CO2 is commonly used to create the pressure that transports your favorite beer from the keg to your glass. As a result, draft beer has a little extra carbonation. And it gives you an almost imperceptibly different sensation as you drink. Many experts credit this extra zing of carbonation with the average person’s preference for draft over canned or bottled beer.

How Long Does a Keg Last? Ensuring Freshness

Of course, none of these benefits will matter if your draft beer isn’t fresh. That is why it is so important to create a reliable system for ordering and replacing kegs in an orderly fashion. Luckily, there are a few rules you can use to guide you. Especially if you’re still learning about making the switch to a draft beer system.

Always check for a “Born On” date or an expiration date. The born on date will be the day the keg was filled at the brewery. It is that date that will indicate how long your keg is good for.
Know whether your beer is pasteurized or non-pasteurized. This may not seem like a big difference at first. But a pasteurized beer can be kept for three to four months, while a non-pasteurized beer can only be kept for six to eight weeks.
Always use a professional draft beer system. Ensure the keg is directly tapped into the system and stored at the appropriate temperature. If so, using a professional draft beer system will not decrease the shelf life of your beer even after it has been tapped. By contrast, another method will introduce oxygen into your keg, and it will only be good for twelve to twenty-four hours.
Maintain a consistent temperature where you store your kegs. Ideally, you should store them at 38 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature goes over 45, then you risk bacteria forming inside the keg. If the temperature dips below 30, then you risk your beer freezing.

As long as you follow these basic rules and do a little research on the beers you plan to include in your line-up you should be good to go. If you have any questions about your draft beer system, then you can always contact SC Beverage.

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Why You Should Always Pour Your Beer

October 7, 2020

When you want to enjoy a cold one at the end of a long day, it’s often tempting to just grab a bottle from the fridge. It’s already chilled, and grabbing a glass seems like extra work. What you might not know is that choosing to drink straight from the bottle or can is actually doing your beer a massive disservice. Let’s take a look at why you should always pour your beer!

Your beer is literally designed to be poured. The physical action of pouring activates the carbonation, giving the beer its signature foam head. Initially, that may seem like all the more reason to not pour your beer. The head doesn’t taste particularly good, and it just seems to get in the way as you try to sip around it to get to the liquid beneath.

However, writing off the head as an annoyance entirely misses the point of its function. It is meant to sit right under your nose, fizzing away as you take your first sips. In fact, this process is crucial to your overall experience because taste isn’t just connected to your tongue.

Why You Should Always Pour Your Beer: Taste is Multi-Sensory

Your taste buds are crucially important to our perception of flavors and textures, but they don’t work alone. What you see, smell, and hear also contribute to that perception. As a point of reference, think about the last time you were at a Mexican restaurant and a large plate of fajitas passed your table. Even though you never consume any part of that meal, you can practically taste those fajitas. The carbonation in beer works in a very similar way.

When the carbonation is activated, bubbles race to the top of the beer, forming the head. The bubbles that reach the surface express the contained carbon dioxide, creating the pleasant fizz we’re all familiar with. As the CO2 is expressed so are many of the aromas creating by the fermenting process. This actually allows you to smell the unique flavors that make up your beer, gifting you with an elevated drinking experience.

Achieving the Perfect Head

Keep in mind that you can’t just dump your beer in a glass and have at it. The ideal temperature and pouring technique will vary depending on the type of beer you are about to enjoy. For example, lagers and pilsners are meant to be served ice cold. A temperature in the mid to high 30s Fahrenheit will usually do the trick. On the other hand, beers like stouts and porters actually taste better if served at around 50 degrees Fahrenheit, which is just about room temperature in your average Irish pub.

When it comes to getting the perfect head on your brew, aim for 1-1 ½ inches, or about two fingers. Techniques for achieving the right ratio can vary and are usually based on the density of the beer. For many beers, the standard incline pour will do the trick. Simply start pouring down the side of the glass with the glass at a 45-60 degree angle. Then gradually straighten the glass out as you pour depending on how much foam has formed. If there’s too much foam, allow some to spill over into the sink or catch tray. A heavier beer will take some time to get right. In fact, a good bartender will typically pour half the beer, then give the head time to settle before finishing the pour.

If you work in a bar, you will need quality beer fountain machines to produce a solid head. For the best beer equipment Los Angeles has around, check out SC Beverage.

Improving the Experience

Whether you are just trying to impress your friends or looking to improve the customer experience at your restaurant, a perfect pour makes a huge difference. For even better quality, consider using a professional beer system from SC Beverage to deliver the freshest brews from ice-cold kegs.

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Why Does Draft Beer Taste Better?

June 5, 2020

It’s an old adage, but it’s true. Draft beer taste is just better. Assuming the bar staff is competent, and the draft lines are appropriately cleaned, draft beer provides the best overall experience. The question is why. What makes a keg so much better than a bottle or a can? Why does draft beer taste better?

The truth is that several factors contribute to the higher level of flavor integrity we can expect from a draft beer. According to the experts, process, time, temperature, light, and carbonation all contribute to the difference we notice when comparing draft beers to canned or bottled options.

For all your beer systems needs, SC Beverage has you covered.

Pasteurization

In almost all cases, draft beer is not pasteurized. Pasteurization is a process that heats liquids to kill bacteria that would otherwise thrive in that environment. Because bottles and cans are typically stored for long periods in a variety of temperature ranges, pasteurization is necessary to ensure that your beer is safe to drink when you crack open that lager or IPA. Draft beer, on the other hand, is transported and stored below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, a temperature that prevents bacterial growth. Unfortunately, pasteurization does change the flavor of your beer by bringing the liquid up to about 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

Time

Fresher is always better, especially if you prefer hoppy beers like IPAs. Responsible bar owners will typically only order enough kegs to get them through the week, ensuring that their customers receive the best product. By contrast, bottles and cans could be months old by the time you pick up that six-pack at your local corner store. Most beers do not age well due to oxidization, so draft gains a major advantage. Bar owners and brewers suggest that you can elevate your experience further by asking your local bartender what kegs came in most recently.

Temperature

Regardless of the proper serving temperature of your beer, consistency is key. When bottles and cans are distributed, there’s no telling how many times they are warmed, chilled, or left in blazing heat. The variation and heat both contribute to the rapid aging of your beer. Kegs, on the other hand, are constantly kept in a cold environment, preventing the deterioration of the product during distribution.

Light

If you’ve ever picked a lovely, imported wheat beer from the bottom shelf of a Bevmo and opened it to find the beer was bitter or rancid, you’ve experienced a “skunked” beer. This is far more common in light-colored bottles and is the result of UV light passing through the glass. By going with a draft option or merely opting for a can, you can avoid this entirely. However, keep in mind that some beers, like Corona or Heineken, actually rely on a little UV light exposure to give their beers the right finish. If you love the touch of bitterness in these beers, opt for the bottle.

Carbonation

Americans love their fizzy drinks, and beer is no exception. In fact, it’s one of the reasons you enjoy that draft beer taste at your favorite bar so much. You see, the draft lines rely on pressure to deliver beer from the keg to the tap. To create this pressure, CO2 and/or Nitrogen are used, giving your beer its slight fizz and more noticeable foam head.

Drinking Draft

Simply put, draft is usually better in a well-managed bar or restaurant. Industry experts suggest looking for bars that are sufficiently staffed and at least moderately busy. You can also ask how often they clean their draft lines. If your bartender seems taken aback, ask for a can or a bottle. However, you can easily remove all doubt by just having your own system. So, if you’re looking to upgrade your restaurant or simply want to be the most popular house on the block, contact SC Beverage to discuss your draft system needs.

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How to Install a Beer Tap at Home

June 5, 2019

Going out for a pint of beer with your loved one or a group of friends is a relaxing, fun endeavor. But what if you could bring the beer tap into the comfort of your own home? Installing a beer system in your house is not as hard as it seems and could be your next exciting home project. The essentials of draft beer services are composed of four basic elements: a refrigerator, a CO2 canister, beer tap, and a beer keg. If you’re up for the challenge, here’s how:

Choose a Space

Choosing a space for your draft beer services should be the first thing you consider when starting your new project. Most common beer taps can be set up at a bar or behind a wall, but make sure there is plenty of room to set up a refrigerator to keep your beer keg cold. Visit a beer distributor or a local store that carries kegs and get the appropriate dimensions. There are different sizes for kegs, so be sure to measure out one that you think you will likely be purchasing often. For example, you wouldn’t want to plan for a small keg and then be unable to fit a larger keg in the space. You may also want to choose a space that is guaranteed to stay pretty clean and is convenient to pour.

Beer Lines & CO2 Canister

After you’ve chosen your space, map out the lay of the land. A beer line will have to run from the CO2 canister to the keg and another line from the keg to the beer tap. The canister doesn’t necessarily need to be inside the refrigerator, just the keg itself. Once you’ve mapped out how everything will flow, make sure you have everything you need to start hooking it up: regulators, lines, and couplers. If you have any questions about setting up beer dispensing equipment or other general beverage dispenser questions, reach out to SC Beverage.

Drilling

The next step is to drill two holes into the refrigerator to insert the beer lines. Make sure to drill big enough so that the tubing fits and no kinks occur. Once you’ve done this, insert the gaskets into the refrigerator holes and thread the tubes through that.

After you’ve completed drilling the refrigerator holes, you’ll want to drill a hole for the beer tap. Consider where you’d like your beer tap to go and make sure that the drill bit you are using is the same size as the tap. Next, cut out the hole with the drill bit and screw in the beer tap. Be sure to add a fastener nut at the bottom to make sure the tap stays in place.

Connection

The next step is to connect the CO2 tank to the regulator and the CO2 hose to the keg. Make sure to secure this with a proper clamp so that it doesn’t come undone.

After you’ve done that, it’s time to connect the coupler to the top of the keg. The CO2 line connects to the CO2 side of the coupler while the beer line will connect to the other side of the coupler. Again, you’ll want to secure both of these connections with clamps for optimal safety.

Integrating the Refrigerator

Next, you’ll want to integrate the refrigerator back into the mix by connecting it to the tap as well, keeping the beer nice and cold.

Final

The final step is to open up the CO2 canister so beer can be poured appropriately. This will take some time to adjust the pressure according to the beer you are pouring and according to your taste. If the keg of beer is from a local distributor, they may have some suggestions on what the appropriate pressure for that beer so you may also want to inquire with them.

Draft Beer Services in Orange County

If you’re looking to install draft beer services in your home, but running across some difficulties, you can also hire a professional to do it for you. At SC Beverage, we specialize in beverage installation and services. Visit our website today to see more about our beer tap offerings.

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Draft Beer System Maintenance Guide

May 7, 2019

Keeping your draft beer line properly maintained is key to its longevity. Without this maintenance, your draft beer system could pose many problems for you and your business. The three essential points to look after when maintaining your system are temperature, pressure, and cleanliness.

Temperature

The proper temperature for a draft beer line will differ depending on the type of system and product. However, most systems will generally want to consistently stay around 38 degrees F. This ensures that the beer served is of utmost quality and that bacteria has less of a chance of growing within the line. You also want to make sure your walk-in cooler is being opened and closed as little as possible in order to keep the temperature the same. You may also choose to install a glycol unit which circulates antifreeze into the beer lines to keep your beer at an optimal, refreshing temperature as well.

Pressure

Pressure is one of the most important maintenance up-keeps in a draft beer system. Without the proper pressure, the quality of your beer is subject to be greatly compromised. Pressure is so important to a draft beer system because it is what pushes the beer out from the keg and into your draft faucet. When you begin to pour a beer, the CO2 in the tank pushes the beer out and fills the empty space left over. This keeps the beer under constant pressure in the keg, therefore maintaining its carbonation. This is monitored by a CO2 regulator.

There are a few things to keep in mind when maintaining CO2 pressure. First off, make sure you’re storing your CO2 tank upright. If stored improperly, your CO2 regulator may become damaged.

Another thing to keep in mind is to find and set the proper PSI number. PSI refers to pounds per square inch and is a way that pressure is measured. Most beers have a specific PSI number that is unique to them. This number should be noted by your local beer distributor or brewery.

With too much pressure, beer can become very foamy due to over-carbonation and develop a poor taste. In addition, large bubbles can form in the head of the beer. Low CO2 pressure also causes a foamy pour, but this time the foam resembles more of a soap-like quality. This will also make the beer feel and taste pretty limp.

Cleaning

Cleaning your draft beer line is also very important to getting great tasting beer and maintaining a system that will last a long time. Deposits of yeast and sugar gradually and easily collect along beer lines over time and can greatly affect the taste of your beer. In some cases, it may also cause excess foaming. Cleaning your beer lines is recommended after every half or full keg. A good rule of thumb to follow is every two weeks. You may choose to clean the lines yourself with a cleaning kit, but this task is no easy feat and should be handled by a professional. At SC Beverage, we offer installation, maintenance, and cleaning of all types of professional beverage systems.

Purchasing a new draft beer system altogether can really put a dent in your company’s wallet, which is why it is essential to stay on top of its maintenance. Ensuring that the temperature and pressure are being monitored every day is an important first step, along with staying on top of cleanliness. Don’t be afraid to adjust the pressure as well if you’re struggling with getting the perfect pour. Each beer is wildly different and should be given the proper care and attention that is needed. When in doubt, ask your distributor about their suggested PSI for specific beers. And, again, stay on top of cleaning those beer lines at least twice a month with a hired professional.

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