10
Sticky Faucet
A sticky/sticking faucet is usually attributed to the beer drying up at the point
of the seal of the faucet valve. Inside the faucet is a neoprene gasket that
presses against the metal inside of the faucet, creating the seal to close the
faucet. When you close the faucet, the residual beer caught between the seal
can dry up over time.
Solutions:
Clean faucet, lines, and coupler as described earlier
Wrap faucet body with a hot washcloth for several minutes
WILD BEER
Description:
Beer, when drawn, is all foam, or too much
foam and not enough liquid beer.
Causes:
Beer drawn improperly
Creeping Regulator
Applied pressure is set too high
Hot spots in the line
Use of non-insulated beer line
Beer runs are too long for proper cooling
Tapped into a warm keg (Should be 34⁰ - 38⁰)
Cooler malfunctioning
Kinks, dents, twists or other obstructions in line
Faucets in bad, dirty, or worn condition
FLAT BEER
Description:
Foamy head disappears quickly; beer lacks usual
zestful brewery-fresh flavor
Causes:
Dirty glasses
Sluggish regulator
Applied pressure is set too low
CO
2
is turned off at night
Contaminated air source (associated with
compressed air)
Moisture in air system
Beer is too cold
Loose tap or vent connections
CLOUDY BEER
Description:
When beer in glass appears hazy, not clear
Causes:
Frozen or nearly frozen beer
Old beer
Beer that has been unrefrigerated for long periods
of time
Dirty glass
Dirty faucet
Unrefrigerated foods placed on top of cold keg
Contaminated air source
FALSE HEAD
Description:
Large soap-like bubbles, head dissolves very quickly
Causes:
Applied pressure required does not correspond to
beer temperature
Small beer line into a large faucet shank
Beer lines warmer than beer in keg
Dry glasses
Improper pour
UNPALATABLE BEER
Description:
Off-Taste
Contaminated air source, or unfiltered
Unsanitary bar conditions
Potential Draft Issues
Beer dries up here,
causing the plunger
to stick inside the
faucet body.
Lever
Plunger
Faucet Body
