Maintaining clean draft lines is crucial for ensuring the quality and taste of the beer and other draft products you serve. Dirty lines harbor yeast, bacteria, and mineral deposits, which result in off-tasting, cloudy beer that deters customers from repeat purchases. Regular cleaning, at least once every 14 days, prevents these build-ups, ensuring that the beer tastes as the brewer intended by maintaining its aroma and appearance. Clean lines also have a direct financial benefit. Dirty lines will cause excessive foaming, leading to wasted beer and lost revenue. Consistently serving high-quality beer through well-maintained lines encourages repeat customers and can increase overall sales and profits. In short, proper draft beer line maintenance is just as much about sustaining your business's reputation and profitability as it is hygiene.

"Ohio Administrative Code: Liquor Control Commission Chapter 4301:1-1-28 (A) (2) 4301:1-1-28 Beer and wine: cleaning and sterilizing dispensing apparatus. (A) Cleaning of beer and wine apparatus, pipelines, and barrel tubes. (1) Beer pipelines, barrel tubes, faucets, and taps must be cleaned not less than every two weeks, or as recommended by the beer manufacturer, equipment manufacturer, or manufacturer of the chemical cleaner used. In all such methods, the cleaning must be done with a suitable detergent, detergent and sterilizer, or either of the above in combination with an external audio frequency device." Put simply, Ohio Liquor Control mandates the cleaning of draft beer lines at least once every two weeks. Adherence to this mandate ensures that draft systems are free of contaminants that can alter the taste, quality, and safety of the beverages you serve. In a post-COVID world, local health departments (there are now 100+ in Ohio alone) have been tasked with inspecting your draft systems to ensure good practices are upheld. As more emphasis is placed on enforcement, staying compliant safeguards your business from the costly fines, legal action, and potential suspension of licensure that could result from violating state regulations. Additionally, businesses are required by law to retain signed service records stating the date of cleaning, methods used, and confirmation of chemicals being properly neutralized in your system for a period of two years. (TapTech will always retain these records on our end too, just in case!)

TapTech's comprehensive line cleaning service is based on industry standards established by the Brewers Association, with an emphasis on maintaining product quality, legal compliance, and preventing unnecessary wear on your equipment (reducing costly repairs and replacements). Recurring Bi-Weekly Detergent Cleaning— TapTech's industry leading cleaning methods cycle specially formulated, food-grade detergent through your entire draft system, ensuring that all foreign organic material is eliminated. All draft faucets are fully disassembled, hand-cleaned, and serviced every time. All keg couplers are hand cleaned and serviced every time. Freshly cleaned systems are extensively flushed to ensure chemicals have been pH neutralized and are ready to safely resume operation. Your system's lines will be packed with product and be ready to pour. Quarterly Acid Cleaning— In addition to the bi-weekly services outlined above, we will perform a quarterly acid cleaning cycle on your entire system. This acid cycle effectively removes inorganic buildup known as "beer stone", which are deposits of calcium oxalate can not be effectively removed with traditional detergent cleaning methods. Left unchecked, beer stone accumulates in your draft lines resulting in foaming & product loss, undesirable flavors & appearance, as well as the overall deterioration of your draft system's beer lines & components. Semi-Annual Overhaul— Every six months, we recommend the full disassembly, servicing, and hand-cleaning of all keg couplers, beer pumps, and FOBs (a.k.a. beers savers) that are used in your draft system. All component seals & gaskets will be thoroughly inspected, lubricated, and replaced to ensure optimal performance. Your First TapTech Service Appointment— We will completely break down your draft system, performing all of the services outlined above. We will diagnose and remedy any existing issues in your system so that you are starting your TapTech service with a functional clean slate.

While every draft system is different, there are certain principles that apply to cleaning every system. The industry currently uses two cleaning procedures for draft lines— recirculation by electric pump and, more commonly, static pressurized canister cleaning (also known as "pressurized pot cleaning"). Electric recirculating pump cleaning is the superior method for nearly all systems. Recirculating pumps use a combination of chemical cleaning and mechanical action to effectively clean your draft system. To work effectively, cleaning solutions must reach every inch of beer line and every nook and cranny of hardware. While external components like faucets and couplers can be hand-cleaned, most parts of your system must be reached by fluid flowing through its beer lines. While "pot cleaning" with a pressurized canister is an easier and cheaper alternative, it is significantly less effective and only recommended when cleaning by recirculation isn't possible. Pot cleaning involves simply filling your draft lines with cleaning solution and leaving it to sit motionless, eliminating the advantages of mechanical action found in a recirculating pump system. You may be wondering, "if pot cleaning methods are proven to be ineffective, why does it remain so commonplace in our industry?" The simple answer is that recirculating pump systems require a significant financial investment and a better working knowledge of draft systems. While other companies have cut corners in this manner for decades, TapTech is committed to maintaining quality draft systems and showing our customers first hand that all cleaning methods are not created equal.

There are a few variables involved in pricing line cleaning services which include travel time to your location, your total number of draft lines, and the overall size and condition of your draft system. However, in a typical system, you can expect around $10 per line for our recurring bi-weekly cleaning. Please contact us to discuss your draft system needs and for your free quote.