The Importance of Beer Line cleaning

Cleaning beer lines is a chore, no doubt about it, but is something that every pub landlord must undertake on a regular basis. The brewery may take up to several months to brew and finish a keg of beer and yet it can be ruined in few seconds it takes to travel from the keg to the tap if the beer lines are not cleaned and have become infected with yeasts or mould.

A number of things can affect the quality of beer, and one of those is yeasts. This may be small amount of yeast that is left over from the brewing process, or it could be wild yeasts that float in the air around us. Yeasts are usually found on parts of the system which are exposed to the air such as taps, keg couplers, and drains.

Moulds are also found on the parts of the system exposed to air, and they may also grow on cellar walls. These are usually brown or black in colour and produce an off-taste in the beer.


Bacteria can be another problem and may grow on the inside of the beer lines. They will produce a cloudy appearance in the beer, and can make it taste sour or like vinegar, and may produce a smell of rotten eggs.

Beer stone is another issue and are deposits of calcium oxalate on the beer lines. They are produced from the barley and water which are used to make the beer and contain calcium. The hops contain oxalic acid and it is the combination of these which produces beer stone which affects the taste.

This is why regular use of beer line cleaner is essential. Beer line cleaning should be done when the bar is closed because there will be no danger to customers from beer line cleaner, and it takes the pressure off having to get the line back into service fast.

Whichever beer line cleaner you are using, it is essential to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to the letter. You must also ensure that all cleaner is removed from the beer lines before refilling with beer.

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