draught beer Archives

Beer tap system troubleshooting

Depending on the specific beer tap issue you are facing, there are a number of possible solutions. Consider these tips if you run into any of the following beer tap problems.

Keg Will Not Pour:

If your keg is not dispensing beer, this can be a serious problem. Patrons want beer on tap fast and refills as needed. Pour issues with your keg can be for a number of different reasons. Common reasons include an empty keg, an empty gas cylinder, or your ket may have been incorrectly tapped. Still, in some cases, your gas may be turned off, or your beer lines may be frozen. Run through this list before you call for maintenance, as you may be able to solve the problem yourself.

Foamy Beer:

Nobody wants to drink beer that is too foamy. While this is a common problem, it’s a pretty easy fix. Common reasons you may have foamy beer include the draft cooler being too warm, the beer lines being too warm or too cold, or there is too much pressure in your system. In addition, there may be an issue with your beer being improperly dispensed, or the taps being dirty, or just malfunctioning overall. Be sure to check your tap lines, as any damage or obstruction can mess with the quality of your beer.

Flat Beer:

Customers want fresh beer from the tap for a reason. If your beer is coming out flat, you can usually fix the issue pretty easily. Common reasons the beer comes out flat include an obstruction in the tap lines, not enough pressure in your system, or that you are using an air compressor for pressure. Be sure to also check that your beer isn’t too cold and that the glasses have been properly cleaned. Run through this list, as the issue will likely resolve pretty quickly. If it doesn’t, consult with a beverage equipment supplier for support.

Poor Tasting Beer:

Bad-tasting beer, especially from the tap, can tank your business. Customers want a beer that is both fresh and tastes refreshing. Common reasons your beer tastes bad include dirty beer lines or faucets, warm keg or beer lines, contaminated gas cylinders, or issues with the beer lines not being properly flushed between kegs. Be sure to also check that you aren’t serving old beer and that the glasses are properly cleaned. This issue is pretty easy to resolve. Be sure to schedule regular maintenance on your beer dispensing equipment to ensure it doesn’t happen again.

Cloudy Beer:

A great beer should have a 1-inch head and be carbonated yet clear. Cloudy beer can be unappealing and make your customers look at you sideways. Some beers are meant to be cloudy, but if they aren’t, consider checking your tap system to address the issue. Still, common reasons beer may be cloudy include inadequate cleaning of the beer lines or taps. It may also be due to pressure source contamination or over-chilled beer in the beer lines or keg. Run through each of these potential solutions to address the issue. If your beer is still cloudy, you may need to contact an equipment supplier for help.

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.