The Building Blocks of a Superior Draft System
Imagine this: You walk into your favorite bar, ready to unwind with a perfectly chilled, flavorful draft beer. But instead of that delightful first sip, you get a lukewarm, foamy mess. You’d be disappointed, right? You don't want your patrons to feel that way or develop a reputation for subpar beer in your establishment.
A properly designed and well-maintained commercial draft beer system is the secret weapon behind premium beverage dispensing. In this guide, GS Draft breaks down the ten key fundamentals that ensure premium beverage dispensing and a profitable business.
1. Keg Storage Temperature
Keeping your keg at the perfect temperature is crucial for serving the best beer. Draft Beer Systems are designed assuming the kegs are stored between 36– 38 degrees. When kegs are above 38°F, gas solubility decreases causing the gas to escape and your beer to pour foamy, and then quickly become flat. This may disappoint customers and affect the quality of your beer. Conversely, when the keg temperature is too cold, this can cause stifled flavors and aromas, like a flat taste.
For best results, a dedicated walk-in cooler is maintained at a consistent 36°F storing temperature and holds only beer kegs. The right temperature also allows for a beautiful, creamy head on your beer. This head enhances the presentation and helps lock in the flavor and aroma. This precise temperature keeps your beer fresh, protects it from spoilage, and properly preserves carbonation. Proper keg storage reduces foaming, increases profits, and improves customer satisfaction!
2. Beverage Dispensing Gas
Draft beer systems use carbon dioxide (CO2) alone or mixed with nitrogen (N2) in different blends depending on the system's requirements and the beers being served. The dispensing gas helps maintain the correct carbonation in the beer and helps preserve its flavor. Gas also propels beer from the keg to the faucet. Because the dispensing gas comes into direct contact with the beer, beverage-grade CO2 and Nitrogen must always be used.
Primary Gas Regulators adjust and control the flow of gas from any source. They typically have two gauges: one to regulate pressures and the other to monitor the gas level in the tank.
Secondary Gas Regulators are located in your keg cooler and are used to adjust gas pressures to individual kegs. Every beer has its own unique personality and needs. Different beer styles need various serving pressures to achieve the perfect pour. That's where secondary regulators come in, ensuring each brew gets the exact pressure it needs to flow flawlessly from the keg to the glass. GS Draft always recommends one secondary gas regulator for each keg.
Gas Blenders are utilized in draft beer systems when certain beers require a blend of CO2 and Nitrogen or when higher gas pressures are needed to propel beer through long beer lines. Higher gas pressures can over-carbonate a keg. Using a blend of CO2 and Nitrogen at a higher pressure will allow you to propel the distance needed to the tap without overcarbonating the keg.
3. FOBs - Foam on Beer
Have you ever heard the saying "every penny counts"? Well, in the world of draft beer, every ounce counts too. That's where a FOB comes in. This nifty little device acts like a money-saving superhero for your draft system, eliminating wasted beer purging when switching kegs.
When you switch a keg of beer in a draft system, there's usually some leftover beer in the lines that connect the keg to the tap. Traditionally, bars and restaurants would use CO2 to push out this leftover beer before connecting the new keg. This purging process can result in a significant amount of beer being wasted, which can negatively impact the bottom line.
FOBs play a crucial role in maintaining top-notch beer quality and enhancing system efficiency. Particularly beneficial in long draw setups, where kegs are distant from the bar in a cooler, they streamline keg changes, saving precious time. By ensuring only premium beer is served, FOBs guarantee a superior drinking experience for customers.
4. Glycol Cooled Trunklines
In remote draft beer systems, also known as Long-Draw Draft Systems, where the distance between the keg cooler and the taps is significant, glycol-cooled trunklines become the critical highway for your beer. Beer lines are bundled around glycol lines, ensuring all beer lines are in constant contact with the cold glycol lines. The bundled lines are then insulated and jacketed, acting like a protective tunnel, keeping your beer cold as it travels from the keg cooler to the tap.
The biggest enemy of perfect draft beer is temperature fluctuation. A well-insulated trunkline minimizes heat transfer, which helps guarantee the beer stays cold and maintains its carbonation. Maintaining a cold temperature throughout the system also helps reduce foaming and product waste.
5. Glycol Chiller (Power Pack)
Recognizing the significance of a high-quality draft system is essential for delivering top-notch beverage dispensing and ensuring every customer enjoys a positive drinking experience. Serving a fresh, cold beer is crucial in creating memorable visits, ultimately leading to repeat customers and increased sales. It's about creating a great experience that keeps customers coming back for more.
That's where the glycol chiller, also known as a power pack, comes in. This unsung hero ensures your beer stays perfectly chilled from the keg to the glass. The power pack is a refrigeration unit designed for draft beer systems. It circulates a special coolant throughout the system, keeping the beer lines and faucets consistently cold.
With a constant cold flow, your beer is guaranteed to be refreshingly cold when it reaches the glass. However, a glycol chiller keeps your beer cold and helps improve your draft system’s overall performance. Maintaining a consistent temperature can reduce the risk of foaming and other problems.
6. Draft Beer Tower with Stainless Steel Faucets
A draft beer tower is all about keeping your beer icy cold and looking sharp at your bar beer taps. These towers are the guardians of perfect pours, combining functionality with aesthetics to ensure customers get a refreshing experience with every sip. These towers feature double-walled construction, which creates an insulated barrier that keeps your beer cold from keg to tap. Many towers also use special cold blocks or cooling plates inside the insulation to maintain the temperature.
Draft beer towers are functional and built to last. Stainless steel provides a sleek, modern look that complements any bar or restaurant décor and is easy to clean and maintain. Draft beer towers help ensure a perfectly chilled, refreshing pour every time.
Keep your beer tower clean and debris-free to maximize its cooling efficiency and maintain a polished look. A clean tower ensures optimal performance and also presents your beverages professionally.
7. All Stainless Steel Parts
Stainless steel is the industry’s preferred material for any metal parts of a draft beer system that touches beer because of its durability and ability to promote hygiene. It is a non-porous material that resists the growth of bacteria and other contaminants. This benefit is crucial for maintaining the quality and freshness of your beer, wine, or cocktails.
Brass easily corrodes when in contact with beer and can change the taste of your beer. Therefore, brass should never be used for any metal parts touching beer. Stainless steel is also incredibly easy to clean and sanitize. This ease of cleaning makes it a breeze to maintain a hygienic draft beer system, essential for delivering quality beverages. Maintaining a hygienic draft beer system is easy and ensures the delivery of top-quality beverages. This is perfect for customers who savor delightful beverages, and it's great for your business's bottom line when repeat customers drive consistent sales.
8. System Cleaning and Maintenance
Your draft beer system needs regular cleaning to ensure consistent quality and prevent pouring problems. Think of it as a preventative measure to keep your customers happy and your business thriving.
Regular beer line cleaning helps remove yeast sediment, hop particles, and other buildup from beer lines. This cleaning ensures that every pour is fresh and flavorful. A clean system is also less prone to clogs, leaks, and other problems that disrupt your beverage service. Regular cleaning also helps identify potential issues before they become major problems that can lead to downtime or costly repairs.
Consistent quality and a positive drinking experience are vital to keeping happy patrons. Having a plan for draft beer system maintenance will ensure your customers get a perfect pint every single time. But don't only clean your draft lines. Regularly cleaning faucets, couplers, refrigeration, and other components is essential for maintaining a clean, hygienic system that will run smoothly for many years.
Conclusion
Ready to bring the magic of draft beer to your bar or restaurant? GS Draft offers commercial draft beer systems, torpedo kegs, and draft cocktail systems. Our team of experts is here to help you design a system that fits your space and needs, ensuring you always serve the perfect pint. Visit our website or contact us today to discuss your needs and get expert advice to create the perfect draft beer experience. Start delivering top-notch draft beer and keep your customers coming back for more!
Remember, a well-maintained draft beer system is key to customer satisfaction and business success. With GS Draft’s reliable products and support, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your system will perform flawlessly. Don’t settle for less; elevate your bar experience with the best in the industry.
