What is your preference – bottle, can, or draft? I think you can probably guess our preference! Beer in all forms has a place, but given the choice we will choose draft. We think draft beer just tastes better and let us tell you why.

Pasteurization – As a general rule, draft beer has a shorter shelf life than bottle or cans. Without getting into all the specifics, this is due to the difference in the pasteurization process that is applied. To many the pasteurization process affects the taste of the beer. The “lighter” the pasteurization, the fresher the beer tastes.

Oxidation – Beer ingredients are highly prone to oxidation which can degrade the taste and cause stale, off-flavors. Kegs have a smaller oxygen to beer ratio at the time of filling. Also, heat and motion can accelerate oxidation. The less time a beer is spent in transport and in storage the less chance of oxidation.

Light – The bottom line is light damages beer and no one wants to drink skunked beer! Find out more behind the science of how this happens here.

While there are different schools of thought on the effects of pasteurization, light and oxygen are definitely enemies of great tasting beer. Draft beer has less exposure to these elements and we believe delivers a fresher taste. However, there is another enemy lurking around that can definitely affect the taste and quality of your draft beer for the worse! That enemy is none other than dirty beer lines. Unfortunately, beer lines don’t clean themselves. Establishments have to stay on top of line cleaning. There are a number of unsavory morsels that can develop in a poorly maintained beer system. Bacteria, yeast, and mold can all invade a draft system and make you want to reach for a can or bottle.

In the end, it all comes down to personal preference. We are a fan of ALL beer. We do believe you have to treat beer like a living creature if you want to taste it how the brewer intended. So we offer biweekly, monthly, or quarterly preventative maintenance plans to fit your needs and budget. Knowing that your lines are kept in pristine condition leaves you one less thing to worry about. Give us a call today!