Having a beer on tap is an experience like no other. There’s nothing quite like pouring a cold pint of beer straight from a keg. But to make sure your beer tastes as good as it can, it’s important to keep your keg tap clean. Cleaning your keg tap not only ensures that the taste of your beer is top-notch, but it also helps keep your tap running smoothly. Here’s what you need to know to keep your keg tap clean and running like a charm.
Clean the Keg Tap After Each Use
It’s important to clean your keg tap after each use. This will help prevent bacteria and other contaminants from building up in the tap and affect the taste of your beer. To do this, simply rinse the tap with hot water and a few drops of dish soap. Make sure to rinse the tap thoroughly, especially the head and the spout, to remove any suds. Don’t forget to clean the lines and the hose too. Once you’ve rinsed everything, let it air dry completely before storing it.
Deep Clean the Keg Tap Regularly
In addition to cleaning your keg tap after each use, it’s important to do a deep clean every few weeks. To do this, you’ll need to remove the head from the spout and soak it in a mixture of hot water and dish soap. Let it soak for at least an hour then rinse it thoroughly. Once the head is clean, you can reattach it to the spout and clean the rest of the tap. Be sure to clean the interior of the spout as well as the outside. After the tap is clean, rinse it with hot water and let it air dry completely.
Clean the Keg Tap Lines
Your keg tap lines also need to be cleaned regularly to make sure your beer tastes its best. To do this, remove the lines from the keg and rinse them with hot water and a few drops of dish soap. Then, fill the lines with a cleaning solution and let it sit for at least an hour. After that, rinse the lines thoroughly with hot water and let them air dry. Once they’re dry, you can reattach them to the keg.
Sanitize the Keg Tap
After you’ve cleaned the tap and the lines, it’s important to sanitize everything. This will help prevent bacteria and other contaminants from building up in the tap and affecting the taste of your beer. To do this, fill a bucket with a sanitizing solution and submerge the tap, the lines, and the hose in it. Let it sit for at least an hour then rinse everything off with hot water. Once everything is rinsed, let it air dry completely before storing it.
Check for Leaks
Once your keg tap is clean and sanitized, it’s important to check for leaks. To do this, fill the keg with water and attach the tap. If there are any leaks, they will be easy to spot. Make sure to tighten any loose connections and replace any worn out parts as needed. Once you’ve fixed any leaks, you can reattach the tap and start pouring your beer.
Store Your Keg Tap Properly
Once your keg tap is clean and sanitized, it’s important to store it properly. You should always store the tap in a cool, dry place. Make sure to keep it away from direct sunlight and heat as these can cause the tap to break down over time. You should also store the tap out of reach of children and pets to avoid accidents.
Conclusion
Cleaning your keg tap is essential if you want your beer to taste its best. Clean the tap after each use and deep clean it regularly. Make sure to clean and sanitize the lines as well. Check for any leaks and replace any worn out parts as needed. Finally, store the tap in a cool, dry place out of reach of children and pets. With proper care and maintenance, your keg tap will keep running smoothly and your beer will taste great.
