Acid cleaning draft lines

[Robertestein05_gmail.com (Robert)]

@Kutaka

Thanks for the great info!  The method of using BLC to test the line is good to know.  But leaving BLC standing for days–well I’d rather not go for days with beer unavailable!  Today I did my regular routine–recirc BLC and flush-- then let StarSan sit for an hour or 2 with several draws along the way.  I just drew a beer, and the way it poured, smells and tastes (perfect) tells me what I need to know for now!  If you think there’s any problem with that procedure I hope you’ll  advise. Now I’m going to finish my beer.

In that case, you can skip the line cleaning completely for 2-4 batches if the most important thing to you is minimal downtime.  Or maybe buy one more line than you have kegs and clean the dirty line until it pours clear after at least an hour of BLC in the line.

The line you poured beer from today is likely a dirty line.  Does it really matter if you like how the beer tastes?  That is a question only you can answer.

It takes 2-4 days of alkaline soaking and draining for a line to pour clear from a hoppy batch.  Good beer gets poured from dirty lines globally every day.

Well, I know I won’t go for batches, as I notice the difference if I go the two weeks, and adding the acid step showed me the drift in quality over time using only caustic.  And I’m happily stuck with my one-line keezer for reasons of space (so downtime is an issue but I won’t trade off  quality – I’m basically a Pilsner guy so it really shows).  I think your point on taste is the key and will be my best guide.  I’ll gladly add all the tools I can to my kit (thanks forum members) and ramp up my cleaning routine as I see the need.