Draught Beer Quality Manual

Brewing Processes
1

For anyone who has set up or is considering setting up a home (or commercial) draught beer system, you should check out the Brewers Association Draught Beer Quality Manual.  It is very comprehensive, easy to read, and loaded with photos and charts.

Chapters:

  1. Essential Draught System Components
  2. Temporary Draught Disspense (e.g. jockey boxes)
  3. Equipment and Configurations for Direct Draw Draught Systems
  4. Equipment and Configurations for Long-Draw Draught Systems
  5. A Matter of Balance
  6. Preparation to Pour
  7. Serving Draught Beer
  8. System Maintenance and Cleaning

You can download the manual in its entirety, or by chapter, for free at www.draughtquality.org.

2

Thanks for posting this.

3

Gary,

I think I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again… that draught manual is so bad ass I don’t even know where to begin. Those guys did an excellent job with it.

4

Thanks for posting the DBQM!!  Of course I now wonder.  Do any of you use a CO2 Filter?

5

Nope.  Can’t see what purpose it would serve.

6

A quote from the DBQM.  The basis of my question…

“Gas Filters
Beverage grade CO2 comes from many commercial and industrial operations and is supplied for many uses besides beverages. (i.e., fire extinguishers, welding, food processing, etc.) CO2 bottles can be contaminated by poor handling and storing. They can be contaminated by beer or soft drinks if a check valve malfunctions and the beer or soft drink flows back into an empty CO2 bottle. A gas filter helps safeguard beer by removing unwanted impurities or contaminants from the gas. Filters must be replaced periodically per manufacturer’s instructions.”

7

I started using a CO2 filter after I had a number of bad beers that all tasted suspiciously like machine oil smells.  I finally noticed an oily residue in the gas line right before the keg fittings.  I own my CO2 tank, don’t trade it, and wait while they fill it at a very reputable welding shop.  Since I’ve had the filter (and replaced all the lines and fittings between the filter and keg), I’ve had absolutely no problems and again have consistently good beer on tap.  Definitely not an expense for everyone, but one I found necessary by experience.
Gail

8

What are you using for a filter?

9

I use a CO2 filter from Micromatic.  In two years of use, it still works great.  The filter is rated at one year use for commercial applications but I figure I can get quite a lot longer use as a homebrewer.  When the change in my beer was immediate after I hooked up the filter, I knew I had found the fix for my problem.  It was a difficult and frustrating issue to find.  I kept hearing “CO2 is CO2” even when I was sure that was the source of my problem.
BTW, the Draught Manual is great. 
Gail

10

Well, I guess I’ve just learned something.  I’ve never had a problem, so I’ve never considered it!

11

I get mine filled from a gas supplier that handles CO2 for dispensing separately.  They supply bars as well.  Never had a problem.

12

I never had a problem before, either, but I don’t think you should totally rule it out if you do.  I spent a lot of time trying to rule it out only to find it was the likely culprit. 
However, your mileage will vary on the need for a CO2 purifier.  I needed it; no one else might.
I’m just thrilled that Denny might have learned something from this thread.  I’m always learning from him about batch sparging.  Thanks, Denny.
Gail

13

Excellent thread, and the PDF is fantastic!

14

Thank you, Gail, for continuing my edumacation!  In the immortal words of Jethro Gump, “The more I know about beer, the more I know I need to know more about beer”!