Draught Operations > System Maintenance and Cleaning

This section contains the following topics:

Cleaning Standards

Common Issues

Detailed Recommendations

In addition to alcohol and carbon dioxide, finished beer contains proteins, carbohydrates and hundreds of other organic compounds. Yeast and bacteria routinely enter draught systems where they feed on beer and attach to draught lines. Minerals also precipitate from beer leaving deposits in lines and fixtures.

Within weeks of installing a brand new draught system, deposits begin to build up on the beer contact surfaces.  Without proper cleaning, these deposits soon affect beer flavor and undermine the system’s ability to pour quality beer.

When undertaken using proper solutions and procedures, line cleaning prevents the buildup of organic material and mineral deposits while eliminating flavor-changing microbes. Thus, a well-designed and diligently executed maintenance plan ensures trouble-free draught system operation and fresh, flavorful beer.  

Download a PDF of Chapter 8 (320 KB).