The Importance of Draught Beer Line Cleaning

Clean beer lines are integral to maintaining the quality of craft beer.

Small and independent craft brewers devote a lot of time, effort and resources to make the best possible beer for consumers. Ingredients are handpicked, the latest technological advances in brewing are used and batches of beer are tested throughout the process to ensure superior quality. That hard work can be ruined in the time it takes the beer to travel from the keg to the glass if the draught system/lines have not been properly cleaned and maintained.

The enemies of draught beer may include the following:

White or grey-colored surface growth found on beer system components (faucets, keg couplers and drains) that are exposed to air.

Brown or black-colored surface growth found on beer system components (faucets, keg couplers and drains) that are exposed.

Grey or brown in color, (calcium oxalate) builds up and eventually flakes off if the system is not properly maintained, potentially ending up in the pint and having a negative effect on taste.

Beer-spoiling bacteria will ruin a beer’s flavor and aroma. While these micro-organisms are not health risks, they will cause buttery off-flavors called diacetyl, or sour, vinegary off-flavors called acetic acid.

All of these enemies of beer are easily preventable by regular line cleaning, but if left unattended will inevitably lead to dissatisfied customers and lost sales.

Here are BA-defined minimum standards for draught cleanliness:

For more information:

Draught Beer Resource Hub

BA Insider: 10 Steps to Terrific Draught Beer

Use of personal protective equipment (eye/face protection and gloves) should be required while handling line-cleaning chemicals.

Properly cleaned lines will ensure that the appearance, aroma and flavor experience is delivered pint after pint—and your customers will keep coming back.

This article was written by the market development committee as part of the BA Insider—a free email publication sent quarterly by the Brewers Association. Each issue covers topics relevant to craft beer distributors.