Draft system maintenance

Question 1

If the draft systems is not properly cleaned on a regular basis, the result
will be:

Answer 1

The development of off-flavors in beer served through the draft
system

Question 2

If the draft systems is not properly cleaned on a regular basis, the result
will be:

Answer 2

Bacteria, mold, and wild yeast infect draft systems that aren’t
cleaned properly. Beer poured through draft systems with these
issues will have off-flavors.

Question 3

Two of the most common off-flavors from infected draft systems
include

Answer 3

buttery diacetyl and vinegary acetic acid (often together).

Question 4

In addition, beer will often be overly foamy if the draft system has
colonies of microorganisms in it because

Answer 4

their surfaces provide a

location where the beer’s CO2 can come out of solution.

Question 5

The draft system will cease to operate properly.

Answer 5

Over time, a draft system that isn’t cleaned properly will develop a variety of issues that will keep it from operating properly, with the result that beer will come out overly foamy, will taste off, and the draft system itself may cease to operate in extreme instances.

Question 6

Beer has calcium compounds in it that, over time, collects in

Answer 6

the draft system as “beer stone.” Beer stone is a scale or can be like little pebbles.

Question 7

Beer stone creates an unsanitary surface that can

Answer 7

harbor
microorganisms that will cause off-flavors in the beer as
discussed above.

Question 8

Beer stone provides a surface where

Answer 8

CO2 can come out of

solution resulting in foamy beer, or can clog up the draft lines in extreme instances.