PROBLEM
Loose Foam.
Large soap-like bubbles that
settle quickly.
Off-Taste Beer.
Often bitter and bitey;
sometimes completely lack-
ing in flavor and zest. May
also have an oily or foul
odor, which carries an
unpleasant taste.
Sour Beer.
Beer tastes and smells
extremely yeasty or moldy.
Wild Beer.
Beer that is either all foam,
or too much foam and not
enough liquid.
CAUSE
• This is generally the same as
the Flat Beer condition.
• Improper cleaning of the tap.
• Contaminated air line.
• Improper type of beer tube
• Improper transporting of beer
kegs. Beer that is delivered
on an open truck during high
summer temperatures may
start a secondary fermentation
process.
• Improper drawing of beer into
the glass.
• Yeast growth or other obstruc-
tions in the faucet, which is
usually caused by a non-refrig-
erated faucet. Worn faucet
parts and worn faucet washers.
• The beer was stored in an area
that is not cold enough and
has thus become warm.
• Too much air pressure.
• Excessive amounts of CO
CORRECTION
• See the Flat Beer causes above.
• Brush and clean the tap properly. It should be
scoured using a detergent, then rinsed clean.
• Beer tube should be examined. If contaminated, it
should be replaced.
• A rubber hose will absorb and retain odors. Try
using a plastic tube instead.
*General Recommendations for Off-Taste Beer:
Beer lines should be flushed after each keg is
emptied. Maintain fresh, clean, sanitary conditions
around the dispenser. Smoke, cooking odors and
disinfectants will harm the taste and flavor of beer.
These conditions, as described, may come from an
air source or from actual contact with the glass when
drawing beer.
• If possible, have beer kegs delivered in a closed,
refrigerated truck. If an open truck is used, cover
beer kegs with tarpaulin for protection against
summer heat and warm air.
• Open the faucet quickly and completely.
• Proper foam should be a tight, creamy head, and
the collar on the average glass should be 3/4" to 1"
high.
• Check for, and replace any kinked, dented, or
twisted lines from the barrel to the faucet.
• Examine for frayed coupling washers behind the
faucet that may cause an obstruction.
• Keep kegs of beer refrigerated at all times at
38˚F-40°F all year round!
• First, check the source of pressure to make sure it is
working. Then adjust the pressure to suit a properly
balanced system. The correct beer flow should fill a
.
10oz. glass in 4 seconds at the proper temperature.
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• Adjust the CO
However, the applied pressure must remain slightly
higher than the internal pressure of the beer. No
more than 18 lbs. should be applied. The proper
amount should be between 10-12psi/lbs.
• The colder the beer and the higher the applied
CO
pressure, the more rapid the absorption of
2
CO
by the beer. This over-carbonates the beer,
2
causing Wild Beer.
• Check the pressure regulators periodically to ensure
that the operating pressures remain constant.
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pressure to as low as possible.
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