When it comes to maintaining the best quality beer for your customers, the routine cleaning of your draft lines is an essential practice. Over time, a buildup of bacteria, mold, yeast and sediment (beer stone) can accumulate in your lines, affecting your beer’s flavor profile and causing foaming. Follow the recirculation method below for long draw systems (20 ft. of line or more), which is also an effective method for homebrew draft lines (10 ft or below). We will also cover what products and equipment to use in each scenario.
HOMEBREW (10 FT OR BELOW):
- Remove your draft line from the keg and make sure any beer remaining in the line is removed
- Mix a cleaning solution of P.B.W using 1 to 2 ounces per gallon of hot water to put through the draft line under pressure. You can use a line cleaning kit available at any homebrew store listed here
- Run the solution through your draft line, letting it soak for up to 30 min. to remove any buildup
- Run clean water through the draft line, under pressure, to flush out the cleaner
- Tap the next keg and let beer run through the line, checking for any issues
BREWPUB/RECIRCULATION METHOD (20FT OR MORE):
- Make sure to use protective gloves and eyewear
- If you have a glycol power pack, turn off the system, as the cold temperature of the system can interfere with the effectiveness of the cleaning solution
- Disconnect all the couplers in your cooler, then place a bucket under your faucets to drain any beer left in the line
- Take apart your faucets and soak them in P.B.W (1 to 2 ounces per gallon in hot water)
- Connect your faucet jumpers onto your faucets, making sure to spin the shank coupling nut until hand tight. Connect your out tube for the flush, making sure the end is in your sink.
- Take your duel flush couplers and connect your lines in the cooler, making sure to check all your lines in the process.
- Prime your pump with flowing warm water by sticking your intake line in a bucket of flowing water. Make sure no air is being pushed through the line. You can then make your connections, ensuring proper flow throughout the line. Start off slow. An ideal flow rate would be 1-2 gallons per minute. Do not go past 40 pounds of pressure as this will cause leaking.
- Once all the beer is removed, and you only see water, mix your cleaning solution. We recommend using Five Stars Liquid Line Cleaner, at a ratio of a ½ ounce per gallon of water, circulating for a minimum of 5 minutes. Make sure to compensate for the water that you used to flush out the beer in your lines.
- Turn on you pump, pushing the cleaner through the line. Make sure the cleaner is running through the entire system. Clean the system for 20 minutes. Afterwards, take your intake tube and repeat the step of flushing with flowing water. This should bring your beer lines back to a neutral pH in approximately 10-15min.
- Shut down the pump and begin to put the system back together. Make sure to clean your shanks with Star San (1 oz. per gallon of water) and a brush, before putting your faucets back on. Prior to connecting your couplers, you can also brush them clean with the same Star San solution.
- Turn your system back on and get beer flowing back through your lines.
We hope you find this information valuable when it comes to breaking down the proper way to clean your draft lines. Taking these steps will ensure that your facility will be clean for your customers or friends to enjoy your next great beer. Cheers!