[Scott Zuhse]

Each market is unique as to laws governing the maintenance and service of systems. Some allow distributors to clean where others state that the retailers are responsible. Each situation utilizes contract independent cleaners on some level.

Normally the areas that mandate cleaning by retailers is where draft suffers. Not only are they reluctant to pay for the service, if they do it themselves, it is infrequent and incorrect. Sometimes systems are not maintained at all as the retailers simply do not understand why. Do these retailers clean their kitchen at the end of each business day? Additionally, even with laws on the books, who is available to enforce them.

Where distributors can legally offer the service free, they either employ personnel or contract to independents. Contract has seen ups and downs. Where they have fallen short, distributors have dismissed them and began cleaning themselves again. Usually the only impact retailers have is when they voice their displeasure about the loss of beer during the cleaning cycle. One reason we are adamant about designing systems using 5/16" versus 3/8" barrier tubing for remote systems, where possible. You would think that these markets are cleaner since the distributor who represents a portfolio of products from multiple suppliers care about how these systems are performing. Sometimes yes. Most of the time, no.

It all boils done to who is the smarter business person. Those who choose to invest in the draft product will win and know that quality impacts resales for retailers and supports the brands from the distributor. Unfortunately, management at quite a few breweries simply have a weak knowledge base on draft. Therefore they tend to avoid it and not invest in it. This lack of knowledge trickles down to the distributor and thus the retailer.

There are individuals who see this lack of knowledge as an opportunity! You know who you are and you're growing. Good luck and let us know where to drink great draft beer at retail in your local market area . Be careful partaking. You will have a tendency to redefine the phrase "one more"!