2. Objectives
It‟s not rocket science – it‟s beer science!
• To provide a basic knowledge of beer system
issues
• Identify problems and issues
• Provide information on correcting issues
• Interactive presentation – please bring your beer
system troubleshooting scenarios so we can help!
Beer System Troubleshooting 101
3. Where to come for help
• Perlick Milwaukee technicians
• Certified installer network
• Test coupler kit
Beer System Troubleshooting 101
4. Troubleshooting process
To find the true cause of the problem in the
shortest amount of time, follow this process on
every call:
• Ask the customer to describe the problem
• Find out which faucets are affected, when the
problem started, whether it reoccurs and if there
is a pattern
Beer System Troubleshooting 101
5. Troubleshooting process
• Check the temperature of the beer in the cooler
and at the faucet: 34 – 38 degrees is ideal
• Temperatures above 40 degrees may cause
foaming problems
• Check the pressure, making sure that the applied
gauge pressure is set properly for the system – call
Perlick with the Power Pak serial number for
design pressures
Beer System Troubleshooting 101
6. Troubleshooting process
• Check the sanitation procedures – make sure the
system and glasses are being cleaned properly
• Check the faucet to make sure it‟s clean
• Check to ensure the Power Pak is operating
properly and the digital readout is 30 – 34 degrees
• Check the glycol solution flow to ensure the
recirculating pump and motor are operating
properly
Beer System Troubleshooting 101
7. Troubleshooting process
• Check the FOB detector operation – smart
couplers or wall mount style: Are they vented and
reset properly?
• Check the operation of the Flojet beer pumps
and flow reversal valves when applicable
• Check the nitrogen and CO2 supply feeding the
blender to make sure it‟s operating correctly
Beer System Troubleshooting 101
8. Troubleshooting process
• If the nitrogen or CO2 gas runs below
the designed inlet pressure
of 45 – 70 psi, the blender shuts
off and goes into protection mode
• Make sure the blended outlet
pressure is set and the outlet
shut-off valve is open.
Beer System Troubleshooting 101
9. Draft beer systems are
a balancing act
Correct
temperature
Correct applied
pressure to keg
Beer needs to stay packed together,
prevent breakout of the CO2 from
the beer solution
Beer System Troubleshooting 101
10. Problem: Wild beer
Description: There is too much foam and not
enough liquid beer.
Causes:
• Number one cause: warm beer
• Beer drawn improperly
• Creeping regulator
• Applied pressure is set too high
• Hot spots in beer line
• Use of non-insulated beer line
Beer System Troubleshooting 101
11. Problem: Wild beer
Causes:
• Tapped into a warm keg
• Cooler malfunctioning
• Kinks, dents, twists or other obstructions
in the line, or restrictors
• Faucets in bad, dirty or worn condition
• Saturated insulation due to flooded chase
• Power Pak is not functioning properly
• Air shaft blower not functioning properly
Beer System Troubleshooting 101
12. Problem: Unpalatable beer
Description: Beer has an off-taste.
Causes:
• Expired beer! Beer is at its best
before 30-45 days past its racking/
production date
• Dirty or old beer lines
• Dirty faucet
• Unsanitary bar conditions, glass washing
• Contaminated beer
Beer System Troubleshooting 101
13. Problem: Cloudy beer
Description: Beer appears hazy or cloudy in glass.
Causes:
• Frozen or nearly frozen beer
• Old beer
• Beer that has been unrefrigerated for
long periods of time
• Dirty glass or faucet
Beer System Troubleshooting 101
14. Problem: False head
Description: Large soap-like bubbles, head
dissolves very quickly.
Causes:
• Applied pressure required does not
correspond to beer temperature
• Improper pour
• Beer lines are warmer than beer
in keg
• Dirty glasses
Beer System Troubleshooting 101
„False head‟
15. Problem: Flat beer
Description: Foamy head disappears quickly. Beer
lacks usual zestful brewery-fresh flavor.
Causes:
• Wrong blend of mixed gas is used
• Dirty glass – not „beer clean‟
• Applied pressure is set too low
• CO2 is turned off at night
• Beer is too cold
Beer System Troubleshooting 101
16. Troubleshooting
Step 1
• Check and adjust regulators to the design pressure.
• Don‟t try to estimate what the pressure should be
– all glycol systems have a “designed” pressure
that must be used.
Beer System Troubleshooting 101
17. Troubleshooting
Step 2
• What is the temperature of the coolant on the
digital readout?
• It should be 30 – 34 degrees.
• Factory setting should be 30 degrees if not reset.
This indicates the return temperature of the
coolant.
Beer System Troubleshooting 101
18. Troubleshooting
Step 3
• What is the temperature of the walk-in cooler?
• It should be between 35 – 40 degrees. Never
depend on the dial thermometer on the cooler wall.
• The most important temperature is that of the
beer in the keg.
• The best way to get this reading is with the Perlick
test coupler kit.
Beer System Troubleshooting 101
19. Troubleshooting
Step 4
• Check for bubbles in the clear
vinyl tubing inside the walk-in
cooler leading from the keg
coupler up to the wall bracket,
FOB detector or beer pump.
• Bubbles are a good visual indicator of improper
temperature and/or incorrect applied pressure to
the keg when being dispensed.
Beer System Troubleshooting 101
20. Troubleshooting
Step 5 Consider these questions:
Is the beer breakup
only occasional?
YES
Is the walk-in cooler
used for items other
than beer?
NO
Consider other
answers.
YES
Cause
of
problem
found.
Solutions
1. Keep cooler door closed or use an air curtain
2. Set a colder cooler temperature
3. Use the cooler as a dedicated beer cooler
Beer System Troubleshooting 101
21. Troubleshooting
Step 6 Consider these questions:
Is only Perlick
tapping equipment
in use?
YES
Consider other
answers.
Beer System Troubleshooting 101
NO
Cause
of
problem
found.
22. Troubleshooting
Step 7 Consider these questions:
Is the walk-in
cooler too cold?
NO
Consider other
answers.
YES
If the beer
temperature is under
35 degrees in the
walk-in cooler, the
beer can
overcarbonate if the
applied pressure
gauge is not set
properly, especially
if the beer volume
used is moderate.
Beer System Troubleshooting 101
YES
Cause
of
problem
found.
