DRAUGHT BEER TROUBLE GUIDECLOUDY BEERWhen beer in glass appears hazy, and not clear.Causes1 Over chilling beveragecooler and/or beveragelines.CorrectionsExcessive low temperatures may cause hazy, cloudy beer,particularly when beer lies in cold coil for long periods of time.Make certain that lines are thoroughly cleaned, and then raisetemperature slightly.2 Cracking, or whenpartially opening beerfaucet.3 Contaminated airsource. If possiblechange to CO2 gas as apressure source. Defective Thomas ortongue vents.4 General conditionscausing cloudy beer.5 Unrefrigerated foodplaced on barrel on coldbeer. Open faucet quickly and completely. Replace worn washers and parts in faucet when necessary topermit full opening of faucet. See flat beer, correction #7 Always draw fresh air from an outsi<strong>de</strong> source to compressor.Attach hair felt filter to the outsi<strong>de</strong> intake, in addition to filter inline. Bacteria growth may result from beer backing up through<strong>de</strong>fective vents in air line, air pressure will then carry this intobeer barrel.Check and replace <strong>de</strong>fective vents frequently, and thoroughlyclean air line.See wild beer corrections #2, #5, #6, and #7, and flat beercorrections #5, #7, and #8.When unrefrigerated products, such as meats vegetables, fish,or fruits, are placed on barrel of cold beer, the beer becomeswarm long before these products chill down to the coldtemperature. This change in temperature will cause CloudyBeer.LOOSE FOAMCauses1 Large soap-like bubbles(sometimes called fisheyes). Foam settlesquickly.Corrections This is generally a Flat Beer condition: the Causes andcorrections for Flat Beer should be followed.TAIL END BEERBeer draws well at the beginning of the barrel. Towards the end of the barrel the beer is flat.This is more likely to occur when beer turnover is slow.Causes1 Where air is used as apressure source, airreplaced the CO 2 inbeer causing flat beer.Where beer is beingdrawn rapidly thisproblem is not soevi<strong>de</strong>nt.CorrectionsWherever possible CO 2 Gas should be used as pressuresource.In high pressure systems where CO 2 gas cannot be sued abanner air-gas Blen<strong>de</strong>r should be installed. This introduces asmall amount of CO 2 back into the beer, thus maintainingnormal CO 2 content in beer.16
FLAT BEERFoamy head disappears quickly: beer lacks usual zestful brewery fresh flavor.CausesCorrections1 Greasy glass Do not wash beer glasses together with glasses that havecontained milk or any other fatty substance. Lipstick is a fattysubstance.. Make sure it is removed from glass. Excess amount of germici<strong>de</strong>s build up and leave a fatty film onglass, which may cause flat beer. It is preferable to steam and sterilize glasses where healthlaws permit. Wash glasses thoroughly with a good <strong>de</strong>tergent. Do not use soap. Do not dry-wipe glasses. Permit glasses to air-dry by placingthem on wire or corrugated metal. Rinse in fresh cold water just before serving beer. It is best toserve beer in a wet glass.2 Improper drawing of Open faucet quickly and completely.beer into glass. Check and find the correct distance to hold glass from faucetwhen drawing. Proper foam should be a tight creamy head,and the collar on the average glass should be ¾” to 1” high. Beer drawn without head has appearance of being flat.3 Not enough pressure. Increase pressure if beer runs too slowly. Correct flow is to fill4 Defective Thomas andTongue Vents. Check all washers frequently, particularly the air vents. Aclogged vent will obstruct the flow of air or Co2. Pressure is shut off. Check source of pressure. Check power source when aircompressor is used. Air compressor should never beconnected to light switch. Make certain to have a separateelectric plug outlet for the compressor. Check CO 2 tank, if empty, replace (See insi<strong>de</strong> cover for properprocedure). When barrel is tapped, and proper pressure applied, pressuremust always remain on until barrel is empty. If beer is started without first applying pressure beer will bewild at the start, and flat towards the end.5 Pre-color, or beersystem, too cold. With an accurate thermometer, check temperature in precooleror box. Temperature at the faucet should always be col<strong>de</strong>r by at leasttwo <strong>de</strong>grees than at the precooler or box.6 Sluggish pressureregulators. A regular seat, or the regulator diaphragm, may requirereplacing. Also, check the same as you would for Corrections 3 & 4.7 Contaminated air Filter all air after it leaves compressor.source. Oil fume from compressor, of kitchen grease fumes, pumped Oil or grease fumes. into beer, will cause Flat Beer. If possible CO 2 gas should be used as a pressure source.8 Moisture in Air system. With the use of an air compressor, it is imperative to have amoisture trap installed in the Pre-cooler, and drained daily.This is in addition to an activated charcoal filter, necessary topurify the air just before it enters the barrel. With tank type compressors, drain the tank weekly. Moisture traps should be drained daily.9 Rapid movement of air. An air fan, or exhaust blower drawing air, or blowing air, acrossthe bar where beer is drawn, may cause the <strong>de</strong>ad of foam tofall quickly. Fans or blowers should be located so that airmovement is not directly across from where beer is drawn.17