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For all your homebrew cleaning and sanitizing needs, we've developed this Homebrew Cleaning Chart! 

The secret is out, we love chemicals. They can provide safe and effective solutions to our every day life and hobbies. Because of this, however, people tend to forget that chemicals can also be dangerous. While most of us have the common sense to not take shots of Star San, there are a lot of accidents that happen in a brewery (both commercially and in your garage).

How much does it cost to clean a distributor’s truck after a six pack of beer decides that aluminum was too restrictive for its unexpected new friend, Lactobacillus? Not much really. Hunting down and recalling every case of beer from accounts? That is going to hurt a bit making those calls, drives, and dealing with the invoices. Not to mention shake up you brewing schedule…

Homebrewing is awesome; not only do you get to feel like a mad scientist, you get to enjoy some pretty delicious fruits of your labor as well. It has also become the distraction of choice for many that are forced to spend more time at home. Whether you're new to the hobby or picking it back up, here are some reminders of common mistakes to avoid.

Whether you’re a homebrewer or a professional craft beverage magician, cleaning in place and soaking equipment parts are commonplace for day-to-day operations. It is a good idea to give small parts some extra care from time to time to increase their longevity, efficiency, and, most importantly, to keep your brew days a smooth operation.

Part 1: A Wild Surprise Destination breweries known for their hazy IPAs have become quite the fad as of late, and many in the consumer community have benefitted from it. Learning a particular hop’s unique qualities and how the brewer is able to bring them out is an awesome testament to how brewing has changed over a few decades. Walking into one of those breweries, the energy is often palpable with the buzz of chatter about the latest hop…which is… SPON SPON BING BONG!

Where do people in the craft beer industry like to frequent on vacation or work trips? A brewery of course! They go, not just to taste the beer, but to also have an opinion on how amazing, or appalling, the beer was. This is a holistic view of not just the beer, but the people and facility involved. From personal hygiene to facility presentation, your beer can be judged on a lot more than flavor. Many people have said of a restaurant, “Sure the food is delicious, but I can’t eat there anymore after seeing what goes on in the kitchen.” The same applies to breweries. Aesthetics on the production floor can go a long way in boosting your overall brewery image.

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.

Cellaring beer is a common and highly praised hobby of many connoisseurs. Some true aficionados spend quite a bit of money on how they care for their prized bottled possessions that rival the amateur sommelier. Usually focused on dark beers, occasionally a hoppy varietal will somehow make it into the group. More often than not, someone just forgot about their favorite hazy IPA in the back of their beer fridge. Often, there is still excitement at finding it! And then the curiosity sets in: is it still good? Does it maintain that 4.5 cap beer rating given at first sip and indulged through the rest of the glass?