How To Clean a Draft Beer Faucet Tap: Draft Maintenance

[@valeriealbanese6422]

Drew! I just had to say a giant thank you for this video because it's absolutely the reason I aced that part of my Cicerone exam. I got my results last month and I'm officially a Certified Cicerone! Just had to come say thank you for taking time to put solid, detailed information out there for folks like me looking for any and every bit of information to help the studying process. I did it all solo so coming across videos like this was so helpful to me. Cheers to you!

[@LeadersBeverageConsulting]

Hi Valerie, thanks sooooo much for your kind note. This is exactly why Drew does the videos. Life is about learning and sharing and helping others! -Cheers!

[@valeriealbanese6422]

Couldn't agree more. :)

[@cearod7049]

I’m doing some homework on cleaning faucets, and this is perfect! Thank you.

[@LeadersBeverageConsulting]

Hi Cea, we are very glad this video has helped your learning process. Cheers!

[@makk4Kent]

Excellent video tutorial for cleaning standard draft faucets. I wish I had this 7 years ago when I was getting into begging and line cleaning.

[@LeadersBeverageConsulting]

Kent Steeves thanks so much!! If there is a topic you'd like to not wait another 7 years on let us know. Our passion is the F&B industry and we so desperately want to see it thrive. Draft beer, wine, and/or cocktails are typically the highest margin item in any venue and yet the system is also typically the most neglected. Here's to quality and to beers the way the brewer intends!! Cheers and cheers

[@makk4Kent]

Do you guys have any videos on proper set up and balancing of draft systems and jockey boxes? Looking for tips on proper line diameter, length, and flow control so have optimum balance and can then minimize foaming of the beer coming out.

[@LeadersBeverageConsulting]

Hi Kent, we haven't done any videos specifically targeted at how to balance a draft system. That is a larger conversation that starts first with how carbonation works based on temperature, pressure, and gas blend. We can leave altitude out in the beginning :) We've been wanting to do a video that explains why 3/8" interior beer line is almost always the worst choice even though the most common choice. So, perhaps a mini series of videos talking about each individual subject that can be watched together to form a bigger picture. In our most recent video on caustic vs. acid beer line cleaning )kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3a7mWp3jKdkfdU) We make a few comments through the pop up information that 3/8" ID often just wastes a bunch of beer vs. using 5/16th or 1/4".

[@rygards4544]

I am about to take the level 2 Cicerone exam and both this video and the coupler video have been extremely helpful. Thank you!

[@LeadersBeverageConsulting]

Drew (our CEO) used to work for the Cicerone program. He didn't make those videos to be answers but if you know those videos forward and back you will do good on the video portion. Remember, there are no trick questions and there is no need to be fancy in your answers just get the information across. GOOD LUCK!!!!

[@MrJaumotte]

Great Tutorial! Perfect learning tool/example for the Cicerone Certification test!

[@LeadersBeverageConsulting]

+Michael Jaumotte Very glad you found the video useful, Michael. Drew actually used to be the Eastern Regional Exam Manager for the Cicerone Certification Program®. Even with this video available we hear stories of people failing the video demonstration portion of the exam. You got to want it to earn it! - Cheers!

[@O_Mutt]

Great video tutorial. Homebrewers talk frequently about cleaning processes but rarely get into cleaning the tap system, lines on the other hand, yes.

[@LeadersBeverageConsulting]

Thanks, Matt. We are very glad you found the video useful. We often chuckle at how much effort home brewers, brewers, bars, and restaurants go to clean their equipment and systems only to forget the start and finish point; coupler and faucet. Bacterial growth on couplers and faucets can cause a lot of damage to flavor and to the smooth flow of beer, meaning less foam. We just put a video up on the Nitro Faucet too you might find interesting. Thanks again, Matt. Cheers!

[@chittlingwhittles1198]

Another great video. Should we be careful not to scratch the stainless with the metal spine of the brush? Would it cause disturbance in flow and potentially foaming? Thanks

[@LeadersBeverageConsulting]

Hey there Chittling Whitles, thanks for checking out all our videos. The faucets in this video are 304 Stainless Steel. You'd have a hard time scratching them with a cleaning brush; just don't use steel wool :) If they are chrome plated brass then you can scratch them, but the beer will dissolve the chrome away and leave exposed brass eventually anyways. Your best bet is replacing chrome parts with stainless. -Cheers & Beers!!

[@skiddlydink1]

I'd like to see a video going over all of the washers or gaskets you find throughout a keg coupler and tap system. Including what goes at the top of the coupler where your beer line attaches.

[@LeadersBeverageConsulting]

Skidd, thanks for the great idea. Simple things like a 30 cent seal can mean the difference between a huge mess and properly pouring beer. We'll definitely made that video. We can do the coupler and gas side of things pretty easily but will need a bit more time to get to a live system to show the rest of the system. You can subscribe to this channel to get a notice of when we post the video for you. Cheers!

[@stephaniemeunier8676]

So what happens if you have exposed brass? I recently took on cleaning duties at my bar and I'm trying to learn as much as I can. Your videos are an amazing resource!

[@LeadersBeverageConsulting]

Hi Stephanie, thanks for letting us know the videos have been helpful. We are close to starting to put videos out on a more regular basis. In the meantime, brass is bad for beer. Brass doesn't hold up to the acidity of beer; and certainly not wine or cocktails. Typically brass was also once covered by chrome so when you see brass it means the chrome has worn away. The brass will slowly pit and that pitting creates a tumbling of the beer which can add to foaminess. If the coupler and tail piece are brass and pitted it starts its run tumbling and if the faucet is brass it ends its run with further tumbling. In bad situations the brass can actually add a metallic note to lighter beers. The extra bucks to upgrade to stainless steel is well worth it. Lastly, here is a link to a free resource. The Draft Beer Quality Manual is a must read for anyone trying to learn about their draft systems. Everyone of our techs has this book with them and is given a copy when they join the team. cdn.brewersassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Draught-Beer-Quality-Manual-2019.pdf -Good Luck & Cheers!

[@sinnerface1]

Excellent Video!

[@LeadersBeverageConsulting]

Thanks Sinnerface. Can’t have clean beer lines and a dirty faucet. -Cheers & Beers 🍻

[@LEObby559]

Just landed this job title broooo, I'm excited I start 2mrw taking a research lesson b4 my 1st day thx budddyyyy!!

[@LeadersBeverageConsulting]

Good luck on the new job!!

[@HebronGrandpa]

On the vent you didn't mention don't dunk the tap in the beer? Eventually could plug it. I am a former Regional Draft Manager for a major brewing co.

[@maxreid1156]

Super helpful! Thank you!

[@LeadersBeverageConsulting]

Very glad it helped, Cheers & Beers!

[@74ewtn]

Great video! I have this exact same faucet. I have a questions about the O-rings. Which one’s need lubricant? What is the correct way to lubricate them? How often should they be lubricate? Thank you.

[@TheThackhammer]

Awesome video. I've been cleaning these at work for the past few months and never knew the names of all the parts. Lots of great info here.

[@LeadersBeverageConsulting]

Savrek, Very glad you found the video useful. One of the key items I look at is that super white ball washer. Bacteria can easily be seen there, it is almost like an early warning system. Our website is coming soon at leadersbeverage.com where we'll have more videos. If we can be of help before then don't hesitate to contact us. Cheers!

[@laurahigle4962]

Nicely done! Still trying to figure out how to remove it from the tower. I'll get there.

[@LeadersBeverageConsulting]

Hi Laura, we are so glad you found the video useful. To put a faucet on or take it off you need a 'spanner' wrench. There is a little hook like tooth on the end that fits in the little holes on the collar holding the faucet. leadersbeverage.com/product/draft-beer-faucet-wrench/ From there you just turn, it doesn't take much force. This video shows a little of that around 5min45sec and you can see again as Drew place the faucet jumpers on. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4SblniEgayibMk Hope that helps! Good luck and Cheers!

[@laurahigle4962]

Thanks! Very helpful.

[@vereto1]

Solid video. Thank you for the info!

[@LeadersBeverageConsulting]

Thanks, Vereto. Very glad you found this useful! Cheers!

[@vinze2121]

Question: I imagine you would need to rinse/wash off any residual caustic once you're done cleaning. Is this the case? If so, should you wash/rinse with water before or after reassembling the faucet?

[@Haydenmonroewood]

I want to buy JUST the collar, but the rubber / silicone ones. Have any suggestions as to where I can find them?

[@1978garfield]

Thanks!

[@Lilljoescratch]

Yeah, my shaft washer got me Got a used kegerator cleaned it up real well checked everything ran three kegs through it on the fourth one the washer failed 😞 Yeah, I woke up to a nice big cleanup.

[@josephfox1012]

Nice job!

[@LeadersBeverageConsulting]

Joseph Fox thanks very much! We love when beer tastes the way the brewer intended and none is wasted to foam. Cheers and cheers!

[@CPMinchew]

How do I put this back together?

[@Mark-yx5ul]

I have a faucet with a broken lever. How do I get the broken lever out? It is not just falling out like it looks like it should do.

[@LeadersBeverageConsulting]

Hi Mark, you are right, the lever should fall right out or pull right out. If it is stuck it is likely very dirty. Beer flows over the bottom of the lever and when it dries becomes very sticky and hard. Use a pliers to grab the portion that is stuck and pull. It may also help to run it under hot water and / or let is soak is super hot water for a few minutes to loosen up dried and sticky beer. Of course, make sure the bonnet isn't on. Let us know if you have any questions. You are free to send us an e-mail with a picture too if you think that will help us help you. [e-mail] Cheers!

[@Mark-yx5ul]

Leaders Beverage Thank you! that did the trick! I will definitely do a much better job with maintenance in the future.

[@LeadersBeverageConsulting]

Mark Iacopelli Great, glad that helped. We're always glad when a part can be fixed cheap and easy over having to replace it. Feel free to fire away any other questions you have faucet related or otherwise. Cheers and happy New Years!

[@LeadersBeverageConsulting]

leadersbeverage.com publishes this video on how to clean a draft beer faucet tap with full instructions on disassembly and reassembly along with some best practice tips.

[@TerriOConnorFlorist]

Leaders Beverage c

[@sllundy86]

so what happens when that brass lever breaks off, like has happened to me?

[@LeadersBeverageConsulting]

Hi sllundy86, you replace it. Preferably with a stainless steel lever. Brass isn't just bad for beer it's also not as strong. Hopefully it didn't break while cleaning. That would mean you were having to put a lot of torque on something which happens the longer a faucet goes without maintenance (dried beer and such). We have seen someone break a stainless lever before, twice, and at only one place so who knows what was going on -:) Cheers!

[@VladFredK]

This is all great but how to fuck do you take it off the tower?

[@RC.56]

Questions

[@LeadersBeverageConsulting]

Answers

[@RC.56]

@@LeadersBeverageConsulting Thanks for the reply, it’s been a while since you posted this so wasn’t sure if anyone was monitoring

[@RC.56]

@@LeadersBeverageConsulting Too bad I can’t send you pictures, but I purchased a one-year-old triple tap commercial kegerator stainless steel, but I never owned a keg and not sure how to use it, I did take it completely apart and took lines off, But I did not go as deep as removing that plastic check valve as you did in the faucet. For the stainless steel faucets, take them apart let them soak and clean them? I don’t have cleaner yet but someone posted oxy clean works good do you agree?, I’m purchasing new lines so I’m not going to clean those but will purchase a cleaning kit. Do you use the same cleaning process for the caps below as well? You take the beer line and see you to line off every two weeks? The guy bought it from had Kampuchea running through them and the connection point for the CO2 line on the tap does smell, do I have to clean inside the red CO2 lines? Or just where it connects Do you also clean the taps the same way as the Fossetts? Mainly want to know how to use it, I hook up the kegs and CO2, and just let them sit? It might be days before we pour a glass of beer at the house, so just have it on the ready? How long can this go on for, is this not a good use of the kegerator? Can it just stay on indefinitely? I had organize questions yesterday when I took this apart, but I will have to revisit because I forgot

[@LeadersBeverageConsulting]

@@RC.56 We go through periods where we are just to busy to attend to the channel. We do our best to jump in and answer questions as we can. There is so little GOOD information out there when it comes to draft. Or, the information is exceptionally broad. The Beer Association's Draught Beer Quality Manual is a free resource and one of the very best.

[@LeadersBeverageConsulting]

@@RC.56 The red line is for gas only. If that is dirty it means the Kombucha and/or beer got into them. Those you just replace and make sure the check valve is in the coupler. Here is a link to the manual we mentioned in another reply. This will help you a lot. cdn.brewersassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Draught-Beer-Quality-Manual-2019.pdf

[@Hand_Banana]

Ball washer heh :)

[@springtrapgd4013]

Wait..... so a Bonnet was a "cleaning" kind of name...... well.... i clicked here because i thought there were fnaf things in here

[@MrDoug527]

Every two weeks, are you joking? You must be speaking of commercial, but still! I have had several kegs in two years and only run cleaner through my faucets then rinse with fresh water between kegs, and have no problems.

[@LeadersBeverageConsulting]

Yes MrDough, we are definetly talking about commercial draught systems. Most home brewers just clean their lines between kegs. We do the same thing with our home kegerators, but the faucet and coupler should still come off for a better cleaning and the faucet should be taken apart to be cleaned as well. Ultimately, though, nothing growing in beer can kill you so if you are happy with the pourability and flavor than you are doing what needs to be done! Cheers!