ENCOURAGING UNIFORMITY AND CONSISTENCY IN DRAUGHT BEER SYSTEMS, SYSTEM MAINTENANCE AND BEER DISPENSE BY DEVELOPING DRAUGHT BEER QUALITY TECHNICAL STANDARDS FY 2008 Draught beer accounts for 10% of total U.S. beer sales with a retail value in 2007 of $10 billion. For U.S. craft breweries draught beer is an even larger share of their business, accounting for 27% of sales in 2007. Draught sales are increasing as consumers gain appreciation for the superior taste and the environmental benefits of beer packaged in kegs as opposed to disposable bottles and cans. Unfortunately, there are no uniform standards for brewers, wholesalers, retailers and draught beer service companies pertaining to draught line installation, equipment, line cleaning procedures and materials, gas dispense, system temperatures, system balance, pouring and glassware cleaning procedures. When draught systems are improperly constructed and maintained, the result can be damaged or ruined beer and dissatisfied customers. In this project, the Brewers Association researched the optimal construct and maintenance of draught beer systems, compiled that research into a technical standards manual, and educated the beer trade about the standards. Final Report Draught Beer Quality Manual Contacts: Timothy J. Larsen Senior International Marketing Spec. Colorado Department of Agriculture, Markets Division 303-239-4118
[email protected] Bob Pease Vice President, Brewers Association 303.447.0816 x101
[email protected] brewers association draught beer quality manual Prepared by the Technical Committee of the Brewers Association August 2009 preface he Draught Quality Guidelines group formed in March 2007 under the direction of the Brewers t Association technical committee. Our overrid- our mission ing mission was to improve the quality of draught beer dispensed to our customers.