Whether you own a direct draw, air-cooled, or glycol-cooled system, you need to maintain your draft beer system with some basic practices. The purpose of this document is to present the basic guidelines and time tested practices to keep your beer dispensing equipment working properly and serving beer that tastes great.

4 GENERAL Guidelines of Beer Dispensing

When maintaining any beer dispensing system, consider the following:

1. Maintain a consistent beer temperature of 38° F.
   
2. Set the applied pressure according to the beer’s carbonation level, temperature, and serving altitude.
3. Build in the restriction to balance with the applied pressure and to maintain a constant flow rate.
4. Clean the system a minimum of every 14 days. To ensure a beer system is functioning properly, follow these guidelines. A quality product is the result of a well-maintained system.
   
   

Direct Draw (Self-contained keg beer storage and dispensing system)

MAINTENANCE:

1. Maintain a consistent beer temperature of 38° F.
   
2. Set the applied pressure according to the beer’s carbonation level, temperature, and serving altitude. At sea level, this is usually 12-15 PSI.
   
3. Build in the restriction to balance with the applied pressure and to maintain a constant flow rate.
4. Clean the beer lines bi-weekly.

CLEANING PROCEDURE SHOULD INCLUDE:

• Using a brewery-approved line-cleaning chemical according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Using a hand pump or pressurized cleaning container.
• Disassembling and cleaning the keg coupler and faucet.
• Rinsing the system thoroughly with water.
  
  

Air-Cooled DRAFT BEER System (not recommended for runs over 25 feet)

MAINTENANCE:

• Maintain a consistent beer temperature of 38° F. Keep the walk-in cooler door closed at all times. If the door needs to be open, use clear plastic curtains to prevent cold air from being lost when the door is open.
  
• Whether using straight CO2 or a gas blender (CO2 / N2), assure the system restriction is balanced properly to the applied pressure. Use 20-25 PSI as a target applied pressure for blended gas.
  
• Each beer line should have its own secondary regulator to set the applied pressure.
  
• Check for proper air-flow circulation from the walk-in cooler to the dispense towers and back. The impeller blower must be sized properly for good air circulation. It is not recommended to have more than two 90° bends.
  
• Line cleaning is performed at a regular 14-day interval.
  

CLEANING PROCEDURE SHOULD INCLUDE:

1. A sodium hydroxide (caustic) based solution for regular cleaning.
2. An acid-based cleaner is recommended every third or fourth cleaning.
3. Using a motorized cleaning pump to recirculate the cleaning solution for at least 10 minutes for effective cleaning.
4. Disassembling and cleaning the keg coupler and faucet
5. Rinsing the system thoroughly with water.
   
   
   

Glycol-Cooled DRAFT BEER System (Recommended for LONG RUNS)

MAINTENANCE:

• Maintain a consistent beer temperature of 38° F. Keep the walk-in cooler door closed at all times. If the door needs to be open, use clear plastic curtains to prevent cold air from being lost when the door is open.
  
• Use a gas blender (CO2 & N2) and ensure that the system restriction is balanced properly to the target applied pressure. Use 20-25 PSI as a target applied pressure for blended gas.
  
• Each beer line should have its own secondary regulator to set the applied pressure.
• Use a quality trunk housing or python containing barrier beer lines.
• Properly size the glycol power pack to the system length, and locate it in a well-ventilated area. Never place the glycol cooler inside the walk-in cooler.
  
• Have the glycol power pack serviced, and the glycol replaced every year.
• Use glycol wrapped or Kool-Rite™ technology beer dispensing towers.
  
• Clean the lines at a regular 14-day interval.

CLEANING PROCEDURE SHOULD INCLUDE:

• A sodium hydroxide (caustic) based solution for regular cleaning.
• An acid-based cleaner is recommended every third or fourth cleaning.
• Using a motorized cleaning pump to recirculate the cleaning solution for at least 10 minutes for effective cleaning.
• Disassembling and cleaning the keg coupler and faucet
• Rinsing the system thoroughly with water.

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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.