Beer Faucet Information
One of the most important components of a draught beer system, often the most overlooked, is the faucet. If a faucet is properly maintained, the beer will flow through the faucet smooth and silky. If the faucet is not kept clean or damaged, it can cause the beer to foam, leading to lots of beer being poured down the drain. If the faucet is not properly maintained, the beer can develop an “off taste” or, worse yet, appear cloudy and not very appealing.
The typical faucet you see in a bar today is the standard free flow beer faucet used with lager beers, ales, and craft brews. Many bars today also have a stout faucet. The stout faucet is designed specifically to dispense nitrogenous beers, such as Guinness.
Opening the Faucet
Many people think you need to grab the faucet handle at the top, then yank it forward to open it, and jam it back to close it. This misconception probably comes from people watching “bartenders” in the movies pulling on the top of the beer faucets as if they were handles you need to hang on to. Those brightly colored, large handles provided by beer companies are actually advertising pieces designed to promote their beers. Pulling on the top of that fancy handle will lead to broken and damaged faucets.
The correct way to operate a standard faucet is to place two/three fingers on the bottom of the faucet handle and then to snap the faucet forward to open quickly. When done pouring, use your thumb and two fingers on the handle's base to quickly snap the handle back for the faucet to close.
The correct way to operate a stout faucet is to move the handle forward to allow the beer to flow. Pushing the handle all the way back allows for creaming the beer to create the foam. A stout faucet is closed when the handle is in the upright position.
Cleaning the Faucet
Cleaning is another important maintenance procedure. To remove the faucet, use the specially designed faucet wrench. Brush around the outside of the faucet and up into the faucet opening with a small soft brush and warm water. Brushing all around the coupling nut and flange can help to prevent sediment buildup. Internal parts of the standard and stout faucets should be cleaned as well. When cleaning the faucet parts with a properly diluted beer line cleaning solution, wear protective glasses and gloves.
The brushing will also help to make certain that no “off tastes” develop in your beers. Simply pouring warm water over the fixture at the end of the day can help prevent build-up as well. Having the right type of faucet, using a faucet correctly, and maintaining a proper cleaning schedule will add life to your system and improve the quality of your draft beer!
Raise a Glass to Draft Beer Sales!
For over 60 years, Micro Matic has been recognized as one of the world’s leading suppliers of draft beer equipment. Specializing in keg-to-glass technology, we offer a total solution for meeting your draft beer equipment needs. Our dedication to customer service is supported by four regional sales and distribution centers, the Micro Matic Dispense Institute for training and education, and a Certified Installer Network for draft beer installations. Want to speak with a “perfect pour” expert? Contact Micro Matic today.