How to Clean Tap Lines: Everything You Need to Know

Tap lines, also known as draft lines, are essential to maintain the quality and taste of beer and other beverages served on tap. Over time, tap lines accumulate bacteria, yeast, and other residues that can affect the flavor and aroma of the beer. In this guide, we will discuss how to clean tap lines properly to ensure that your customers enjoy fresh, crisp, and delicious beer every time they visit your establishment.

A Brief Introduction to Tap Lines

Beer is a delicious and refreshing beverage that requires proper handling and storage to maintain its quality. One of the most important aspects of beer storage is keeping the tap lines clean. Dirty tap lines can cause beer to taste off, and they can even harbor harmful bacteria that can make people sick. In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about cleaning tap lines to keep your beer tasting great.

What Are Tap Lines?

Tap lines are the tubes that connect a keg of beer to the tap. They are often made of plastic, though some are made of stainless steel or other materials. Tap lines are essential for dispensing beer from the keg to the glass. They must be kept clean to maintain the quality of the beer and to prevent contamination.

Why Clean Tap Lines Matter

It’s essential to keep tap lines clean for several reasons. Dirty tap lines can cause beer to taste sour, flat, or off. They can also cause foaming, which can result in a poor pour, wasted beer, and unhappy customers. Additionally, dirty tap lines can harbor bacteria, which can make people sick. For these reasons, it’s crucial to ensure that tap lines are cleaned regularly.

Dirty tap lines can impact the quality of beer and even cause health risks due to bacterial contamination. Regular cleaning of tap lines is essential to avoid such risks, and it can be done with the right tools and techniques. Maintaining clean tap lines includes cleaning them at least once every two weeks, keeping the kegs at the right temperature, and storing them in a clean and dry place. A commercial beer line cleaner can provide the best results.

The Risks of Dirty Tap Lines

Dirty tap lines can cause a range of problems for beer drinkers and bar owners alike. Some of the most common risks associated with dirty tap lines include:

• Off-flavors in the beer
• Poor pour quality
• Wasted beer
• Unhappy customers
• Increased risk of bacterial contamination
• Health risks for customers

How to Clean Tap Lines

Cleaning tap lines may seem like a daunting task, but it’s a relatively straightforward process that can be done with the right tools and techniques. Here’s how to clean tap lines in six simple steps.

Dirty tap lines can cause beer to taste off, foam, and even harbor harmful bacteria that can make people sick. It is crucial to keep tap lines clean by using a cleaning solution, disconnecting the tap lines, flushing them with both cleaning solution and water, sanitizing the lines, and reconnecting them. To maintain clean tap lines, they should be cleaned at least once every two weeks, kept short, at the appropriate temperature, and stored in a clean, cool, and dry place, while commercial beer line cleaners should be used for the best results.

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

Before you start cleaning tap lines, you’ll need to gather a few supplies. Here’s what you’ll need:

• A cleaning solution (such as a commercial beer line cleaner or a mixture of water and vinegar)
• A cleaning bottle or pump
• A bucket or container for collecting the cleaning solution
• A clean towel or rag
• A wrench or pliers (if your tap lines are removable)

Step 2: Disconnect the Tap Lines

The first step in cleaning tap lines is to disconnect them from the keg. If your tap lines are not removable, you’ll need to use a cleaning bottle or pump to flush the cleaning solution through the lines. If your tap lines are removable, use a wrench or pliers to disconnect them from the keg.

Step 3: Flush the Lines with Cleaning Solution

Once the tap lines are disconnected, it’s time to flush them with the cleaning solution. Fill a bucket or container with the cleaning solution, then connect the cleaning bottle or pump to the tap lines. Pump the cleaning solution through the lines until the bucket is empty.

Step 4: Rinse the Lines with Water

After flushing the tap lines with the cleaning solution, it’s time to rinse them with water. Fill a bucket or container with clean water, then connect the cleaning bottle or pump to the tap lines. Pump the water through the lines until the bucket is empty.

Step 5: Sanitize the Lines

Once the tap lines are rinsed with water, it’s time to sanitize them. Fill a bucket or container with a sanitizing solution (such as a commercial beer line sanitizer), then connect the cleaning bottle or pump to the tap lines. Pump the sanitizing solution through the lines until the bucket is empty.

Step 6: Reconnect the Tap Lines

After sanitizing the tap lines, it’s time to reconnect them to the keg. Use a wrench or pliers to reconnect the lines, then run a few test pours to make sure the beer is flowing properly.

Maintaining Clean Tap Lines

Cleaning tap lines is an essential part of maintaining the quality of your beer. However, it’s not enough to clean the lines once and forget about them. To keep your tap lines clean and your beer tasting great, you’ll need to maintain them regularly. Here are a few tips for maintaining clean tap lines:

• Clean tap lines at least once every two weeks
• Keep your beer lines as short as possible to minimize the risk of contamination
• Keep your kegs at the appropriate temperature
• Store your beer kegs in a clean, cool, and dry place
• Use a commercial beer line cleaner for the best results

FAQs for How to Clean Tap Lines

What are tap lines, and why do they need cleaning?

Tap lines are the hoses that are used to connect kegs of beer or other beverages to the taps in a bar or restaurant. These lines are essential for delivering fresh, great-tasting beverages to customers. However, over time, tap lines can accumulate dirt, bacteria, and yeast that can affect the flavor and quality of the drinks. Cleaning tap lines is necessary to prevent a build-up of bacteria that can cause sour tastes or off odors.

How often should tap lines be cleaned?

The recommended frequency for cleaning tap lines depends on how often they are used. For high-volume bars or restaurants that serve many beverages daily or weekly, they should be cleaned at least every two weeks, and possibly more frequently. For lower volume establishments, cleaning them every three or four weeks may suffice. Ultimately, the best practice is to check the tap lines regularly and clean them as necessary to maintain their cleanliness.

What tools and supplies do I need to clean tap lines?

Cleaning tap lines usually requires a cleaning solution, a cleaning bottle, a cleaning brush, and a container to collect the used cleaning solution. The cleaning solution can vary depending on the type of beverage being served, for example, a beer cleaning solution for beer tap lines. Cooling pumps, tap hoses, and tap couplers may require additional equipment and tools. It is important to consult the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions or ask a professional for advice before purchasing the necessary supplies.

How do I clean tap lines myself?

To clean tap lines, first, turn off all taps and disconnect the hoses. Next, mix the cleaning solution with clean water as per the instructions and put it into the cleaning bottle. Connect one end of the cleaning bottle to the tap line and the other end to the container for catching used cleaning solution. Pump the cleaning solution through the tap line, and then wait for the recommended contact time while the cleaning agent does its work. Afterwards, rinse the tap lines with clean water to remove any residual cleaning solution, and then reconnect the hoses to the taps.

Can I hire a professional to clean my tap lines?

Yes, in fact, we recommend it! Professionals have the equipment and experience to clean tap lines thoroughly and efficiently. They will also be able to detect potential issues or damage that could go unnoticed by someone without the training. Furthermore, many manufacturers require professional cleaning to maintain warranties. Hiring professionals to clean your tap lines may be a little more expensive upfront, but the benefits outweigh the cost in the long run.