Draft Beer System Health: How Healthy Is Your System?
When it comes to running a profitable bar or restaurant, your draft beer system is more than just equipment—it’s the lifeline of your beverage program. A healthy system ensures that every pour is fresh, crisp, and profitable. But just like your car or kitchen equipment, a draft system needs regular maintenance to stay in top condition.
What Is Draft Beer System Health?
Draft system health refers to how clean, efficient, and consistent your draft lines and equipment are. Healthy systems deliver beer as the brewer intended: cold, carbonated, and flavorful. Unhealthy systems, on the other hand, can quickly lead to:
- Off flavors from bacteria, yeast, or mold
- Excessive foaming and waste
- Flat or sour-tasting beer
- Higher pour costs and reduced profits
Healthy systems don’t just serve better beer, they protect your bottom line.
Common Warning Signs of a Sick Draft System
If you’re noticing any of these issues, your system might be due for a check up:
Foam in every glass
A telltale sign of dirty lines, improper pressure, or neglected equipment.
Beer tastes "off"
Even slight funky or buttery notes indicate microbial buildup.
slow pours at tap
Kinks or buildup in the beer lines can choke your flow rate.
waste after changing kegs
Each ounce wasted cuts directly into profits.
These aren’t just annoyances, they’re red flags that your draft system’s health is declining.
the basics: diy draft system care
There are a few simple practices bar owners and managers can adopt to help extend the life of their systems and reduce issues.
RINSE YOUR FAUCETS DAILY
After closing, run warm water through faucets to remove beer residue.
BRUSH THE COUPLERS
A quick scrub prevents yeast and mold from forming around the keg connections.
KEEP YOUR COOLER ORGANIZED
Make sure the beer kegs are properly rotated and stored at 36-38°F.
Why professional maintenance matters
Even with the best DIY practices, there’s a limit to what you can do without professional tools. Industry standards require:
LINE CLEANING EVERY TWO WEEKS
with proper solutions to kill bacteria and yeast.
DEEP CLEANING EVERY THREE MONTHS
using circulation pumps for complete line flushing.
INSPECTION OF FOBS, REGULATORS, AND GLYCOL SYSTEMS
to prevent costly failures.
Skippping or delaying maintenance doesn’t just risk bad beer- it can cost your business thousands in wasted product and lost sales.
That’s where Draft Horse comes in.