The key to any successful pub or restaurant is serving your produce at its very best and that is no different with beer. To serve the very best beer at your establishment, beer coolers are an absolute must.
These aren’t just simple fridges, beer coolers are specifically designed to serve your beer at the optimal temperature without taking up any space in your busy bar area. If you’re in the market to purchase a cooling system for your restaurant or bar, this blog will provide you with everything you need to know.
What Is a Beer Cooler?
A beer cooler is specifically designed to cool beer between a keg and the tap through which you are serving your beer to your customers. Normal refrigerators can store beer or bottles of beer but this type of beer cooler is part of the draft beer system which cools the beer all the way through to dispensation. Thanks to this integral part of the system, your beer will be served at the very best temperature, showcasing its flavour and enhancing the carbonation.
These beer coolers are usually used in pubs, bars and restaurants where large numbers of customers order draft beer. Without these systems, the landlord couldn’t hope to produce consistently cool and brilliant beer. The beer coolers are normally kept out of the way in a cellar or back area, working between the kegs and taps.
How Do Beer Coolers Work?
To produce the coolest and best beers, beer coolers circulate a cold liquid around the beer lines. This liquid will normally consist of a mixture of water glycol. This liquid absorbs the heat from the beer so it is served at the perfect temperature out of the tap. We’ve broken the process down into a step-by-step guide:
- Cooling System: A refrigeration unit is used to cool the liquid used in the cooling process (normally water and glycol). This is then circulated through insulated tubes which are known as beer lines.
- Beer Lines: These lines are between the keg and the tap. When the beer makes its way between the two, the lines pass through the cold liquid which cools the beer.
- Dispensing: At this point, the process is done. The beer simply needs to flow into the glass and be enjoyed by your customer. The process is designed perfectly so the temperature is perfect all the way into the bottom of the glass.
How Cold Should a Beer Cooler Be?
This point is crucial in the process. If the cooler is at the wrong temperature then the beer will be too. Ideally beer should be served between 2°C and 3°C. This temperature is optimal so the beer retains its unique taste.
It does, however, depend on the type of beer. But, this range, as a general rule, works for most lagers and ales. If a beer is too cold, it can numb the palate and if it’s too warm, it could be flat and lose that crisp taste.
How to Clean a Beer Cooler
To get the best out of your beer cooler, maintaining it is crucial. In particular, cleaning is essential to its longevity and the quality of the beer you are serving. If you follow this guide when cleaning, you should be serving impressive beer for a long way down the line.
- Disconnect the System: Disconnect the beer lines from the keg and turn off the system before you start to clean the process. We don’t want any accidents during the cleaning.
- Clean the Beer Lines: The best way to do this is using a specialised cleaner. This will flush out the lines and remove any build up of mould, yeast or bacteria which accumulates without maintenance. This should be done once every fortnight for the best results.
- Rinse Thoroughly: Once cleaned, rinse the lines with clean water to get rid of any residual cleaning product.
- Clean the Cooler: Give the interior and exterior of the cooler a good clean with some detergent. The coils and fans should command the most attention as they accumulate dust and debris. This will improve the efficiency of your unit.
- Inspect the Mixture: Check the mixture of glycol and water in the cooler. Replace it as per the instructions of your cooling system to retain optimal performance.
- Reconnect and Test: Once everything is done. Reconnect your system and give it a go to make sure everything is working as it should.
Why Beer Cooler Maintenance Is Important
This regular maintenance will ensure that your beer cooler lasts as long as possible. After all, you will have spent a lot of money on it. There are some issues which may occur if this process is neglected:
- Contamination: Dirty beer lines can accumulate bacteria and mould which could lead to health risks or poor tasting beer.
- Reduced Efficiency: Condenser coils which become dusty or clogged cause the cooler to work harder which increases your energy consumption and could lead to the machine breaking.
- Inconsistent temperatures: Coolers which aren’t maintained will struggle to produce beer for your customers at the very best temperatures.
Maintaining your beer cooler will keep your beer cool and your patrons happy. It’s truly an essential process for your customer satisfaction.
Conclusion
The beer cooler is a must-have for any draft beer system, especially when they are used in pubs and restaurants selling vast amounts of beer to customers. The temperature is a critical factor in the quality of the beer.
They may be expensive but investing in a quality cooler and keeping it well maintained will enhance your customers’ beer-drinking experience and improve your business.