Why Clean Tap Lines Matter

26 Mar Why Clean Tap Lines Matter

Ever wonder why the same beer you order in one establishment tastes different than another? It is most likely the condition of the tap lines. It’s sad that craft brewers work so hard rolling out their artisan product only to have the end consumer disappointed in their product because the beer is running through old, nasty tap lines.

A build up of bacteria, yeast, mold, and beer stone within a beer line can destroy perfectly fine beer.

Lines, Faucets, Tavern Heads, and Couplings

Here at The Lab we strive to maintain our beer lines by cleaning them about every week or so. We clean the lines, faucets, tavern heads, and couplings to ensure that our customers are getting the product that Alex, Abby, Ben, and Casey work so hard to brew.

Here, Dr. Christopher Weaber is cleaning the taps at Hawthorne:

Tap Lines: The Process

The process is fairly simple. We disassemble the tap faucets and pack the lines with an alkaline, non-caustic, and environmentally friendly beer line cleaner. After letting the lines soak for ten minutes, we rinse them with water. In the meantime, we examine all the gaskets, faucets, tavern heads, and make sure everything is clean and in good condition. By keeping our tap lines clean, we make sure that you are getting the best possible product direct to your pint glass.

Here, Chris is double checking his work:

Have you ever had a beer at a pub that just tasted a bit “off”? You may have been a victim of some neglected tap lines. Share your experience in the comments section below: