PH of draft beer

[wineglow]

I will use a PH meter on some long lines (over 100 ft) after cleaning them to insure that all cleaning solution is out of the lines.

Does anyone know what the PH of the popular brands should be? Is a lower or higher PH and indication of a specific problem?

[Draught Prophet]

We usually check the same brand before cleaning and then the same brand after. I have found that most brands are in the 4.3 - 4.7 range. I know Foster's is 4.4


We have the electronic meter that MM sells and have found that we need to calibrate them every couple of weeks. I had to source the calibration solution from a local distributor here in Toronto.

[Beer Dr]

I really don't see the need to check the PH of the product if you check your rinse water at the end of rinsing. Am I missing something?

[Draught Prophet]

We check both, the rinse water and the beer. A bit redundant, yes, but we also make a note and provide the account with a copy of the numbers so we are not only covering our a**, but the bars too. It takes an extra 5 seconds to check and it helps me sleep better at night as well. It’s kind of like double-clamping.
The accounts like the extra step and we use it as a point of difference between us and our competitors.

[Beer Dr]

Draught Prophet,
OK I'll buy that, sounds like a good policy. Do you ever find a difference in the the PH of a particular product from account to account? Or from cleaning to cleaning in the same account? Always looking for input.

[wineglow]

Yes, I have. I have had Coors light with a reading of 4.4 in most accounts and suddenly found a starting PH of coors light at 3.45 in one account which would mean it had more acid than normal. After cleaning it read 4.3. I am finding older lines that are cleaned monthly instead of every two weeks have these variations. Anyone finding these variations?

I only calibrate once a month, the exact number is not as important and knowing that the PH is in the range it should be. I don't check the rinse water because it will really vary from account to account depending on the water supply.

[Draught Prophet]

As long as the numbers are the same, you're right, calibration is not that important. Tap water does vary, 7 - 8.3.

As far as beer, I've seen a system pushed with air have an effect on the numbers. I can't recall now, but next time we are in that account, I'll check.

I find it unreal that everyone doesn’t check the ph after every clean, either water or beer (or both). We have yet to run into any account that has seen it checked. For a $20 roll of litmus paper or an $80 tester, it could save you a pile of trouble down the road. It seriously takes 10 seconds to check.

[wineglow]

Draught Prophet---You can find these meters new on ebay for about $30 including two jars of buffer solution for calibration.

Armed with a PH meter and a lazer thermometer for checking cooler temperatures instantly as well as serving temperature you can easily charge more than the competition and gain the confidence of the customer.

[dgodfrey62]

laser thermometer for checking cooler temperatures instantly
http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-...id-C816FS.html

[TAPMAN]

Laser thermometers check air temp. Liquid temp is the important number.Wouldn't checking liquid temp with a laser therm. only check the surface temp. and not the internal temp. of a liquid (glycol or beer)? Tapman

[wineglow]

Yes they do read surface temperature - with beer I have compared the reading with a conventional thermometer and found the surface temperature to be the same as internal temperature if it has not set - in that case a quick stir gives you the internal temp. The most convinent use is to check the surface of a keg for a temperature and the walls of a walk-in cooler.

[Draught Prophet]

As you all know, accounts love to freeze beer glasses.

We use the infrared therms to check many things, but most importantly, beer glass temps. We try to explain to managers the importance of not freezing glasses. The digital infrareds allow us to show a somewhat accurate empty glass temp.

[Scott Zuhse]

These are great posts! Keep them coming.

With testing PH, it would be a good idea to test the water you are using to rinse prior to doing so and then after rinsing. Most certainly the numbers should be the same.

The infrared thermometers are very convenient. Probably a good idea to compare their first reading with a conventional calibrated thermometer.