Mint Flavor

[enzofan]

Background:
I have had a Kenmore kegerator for about a year now which always has Darkhorse Crooked Tree IPA on tap. I clean my lines and tap after each 1/6 barrel.

My issue:
My current keg of beer has developed a minty (fresh) flavor. While cleaning the keg, I did notice the keg coupler had a very minty smell, but I could not detect the mint smell in the tap or beer lines. I don't know if has to do with the cleaning agent that I use (micromatic) or that the brewery used, or what?? Any advise and/or comments would be greatly appreciated?

[TheSlavik]

Very odd. My guess would be the cleaner... but that is only a guess. How do you normally clean the coupler? Do you soak it? Or do you have a pressurized cleaning system that flushes it?

[enzofan]

I detach the coupler from the beer and CO2 lines and soak in the micromatic cleaning solution then rinse with fresh water.

[lunkhead]

Pull the retainer and check ball out of the coupler, there's been a few posts about some of them adding an off/bad taste to the beer.

[enzofan]

I am not sure how to pull the retainer, but last time I cleaned the coupler I did noticed that that plastic ball in the coupler had a very strong minty smell. It did not smell "skunky" but very "fresh and minty". Although fresh and minty can be good, it is not an attribute that I look for in my beer

In hopes to resolve the issue, I ordered a new coupler from micromatic.com last night.

Thank you all for your comments, they were very helpful.

Regards,

Jon

[mark_ksz]

This happened to me once before. I will never again brush my teeth then drink a beer. I guess that is a sign of drinking to early.

[TheSlavik]

or just before bed...

[lunkhead]

Originally Posted by enzofan

I am not sure how to pull the retainer, but last time I cleaned the coupler I did noticed that that plastic ball in the coupler had a very strong minty smell. It did not smell "skunky" but very "fresh and minty". Although fresh and minty can be good, it is not an attribute that I look for in my beer

In hopes to resolve the issue, I ordered a new coupler from micromatic.com last night.

Thank you all for your comments, they were very helpful.

Regards,

Jon

The retainer should just pull out, use a pair of needle nose pliers.

[Misterworst]

Follow Lunk's advice, the retainer will either be a spring inside the coupler or a plastic clip that slides inside, remove this and throw them away. Although i've never heard of this describes as being minty i've had it happen to me on a couple occasions and it tastes like the beer has been poured through a garden hose.