Guide to Looking after Beer Kegs

Keg product offers you better margins and the best quality product, but there are some basic steps to ensuring that the beer is at its best – and you see the maximum benefit.

Disconnecting Kegs

Some operators choose to disconnect their kegs at the end of the days service – either to weigh for recon purposes or to move to cold storage. If this is the case then you should take extra care to prevent possible infection entering the beer line. When disconnecting or reconnecting the coupler the sealing surface of both the keg and connector should be sprayed with sanitiser. The connector should not be left lying on a dirty surface when connected. Ideally it should be sanitised and left with the sealing face pointing downwards in a clean container (can be filled with sanitiser or be dry). The keg should just be sprayed with sanitiser after disconnecting to clean off any residual beer which may be present on its surface, and again before reconnecting the connector.

changing Kegs

Smack! Republic beer is unpasteurised. This is better for ensuring the beer retains its flavour and character. This does also mean, however, that these beers are sensitive to temperature. If beers are stored in hot conditions for an extended period the flavour profile of the beer will begin to change and become sweeter, less drinkable, and potentially stale.

Generally, it is best to keep beer refrigerated at all times, but where this is not possible, the important factor is to avoid fluctuations in temperature. Do not store kegs in an area which gets direct sun, or next to heat generating equipment such as stoves, ovens, or fridge compressors.

There are a few simple principles to follow when changing kegs to ensure that no problems are introduced to the system which can affect the quality of the beer.

First, the important objects or surfaces you need to recognise are the liquid exit point of the keg (called the neck) and the connecting and sealing face of the keg coupler.

When changing a keg, make sure the new keg is in place next to the empty one. This will allow you to move the connector straight to the new keg.

It is good practice to spray the connector seal and neck with sanitising solution before connecting. This will help to ensure that no possible infection is carried into the beer line.

Ensure the gas line is open and under the correct dispensing pressure when you connect the coupler. If there is no pressure in the gas line then there is a risk that some liquid could be pushed up the gas line and cause damage to your gas regulator.

Here are some key points to take note of when changing kegs:

• Make sure you have a new keg ready to connect before you remove the coupler from an empty keg.
• Do not place the coupler on the floor, or any other surface while changing the keg as this may introduce bacteria into the line.
• Do not bend or kink the beverage or gas lines when moving kegs. This can cause foaming issues.
• Do not knock or drop the connectors as they can be damaged and fail to connect properly or begin leaking.
• Do not use excessive force when connecting or disconnecting the coupler. Pushing or turning too hard can damage the keg opening or the connecting equipment.

Problems Occurring in Draught Beer

Sometimes problems can occur with draught beer. These fall into two main categories technical problems, and product problems (infections).

The most common technical problem is excessive foaming on the beer lines. This results in beer losses (and lost profit) as well as frustration and a less than perfect end-product.

The most common reason for excessive foaming relates to dispensing pressure vs the pressure in the keg. Be sure to dispense beer at the right pressure for your system as recommended by the installer. If you have problems then it is best to call the installer, service agent, or brewery to assist you to solve the problem. The solution may be as simple as increasing the dispensing pressure (within reason), or cleaning your beer lines, but this will need to be diagnosed.

Product problems refer to problems with how the beer tastes when it is poured. Beer is a very safe food product and no pathogens can grow in it. However, it is prone to other kinds of spoilage from wild yeasts and bacteria or other external factors. These factors can lead to a variety of off-flavours which at different thresholds can ruin the taste of the beer and be very unpleasant to drink.

The source of the infection may be in the keg as delivered from the brewery. However, this is unlikely since breweries take great care to prevent any unwanted yeasts or bacteria being introduced into their beer. The most common source of infection in draught beer is from dirty beer lines. Wild yeast or bacteria can enter beer lines over time via the tap or keg connectors. This bacteria builds up in the system and produces off-flavours most commonly tasting like butter or vinegar. At low levels these can be difficult to detect, but will definitely detract from the beer. At higher levels these off-flavours can completely overwhelm the flavour of the beer. These off-flavours will most regularly present on the first or second pour for the day (when beer has been sitting in the line overnight – or any extended time period). It is a good idea to take note of any off-flavours in the first pour so you may be alerted early to the presence of an infection and take the necessary action.

Gas cylinders

Most beer dispensing systems use a gas mixture to pus beer from the keg through the faucet. Please remember that gas equipment must be treated carefully. Keep the gas bottles away from sources of heat, stored upright and secured from falling over. If your gas bottle falls over, be sure to check the regulators and all connections for damage. A damaged regulator can leak gas, or give incorrect pressure readings, which may be dangerous. Report any damage to your installer or supplier.