Beer Line Recommendations?

I normally use Bevelex 200 and haven't noticed any off flavors. Also, I would make sure your line is "NSF-51" certified. If it is, it should be printed on the line.

I would avoid generic, unmarked lines.

I doubt this has anything to do with your issue, since it gets better after pouring off a few ounces, but I recommend cleaning beer lines and faucets between batches, not just sanitizing. You can't really sanitize something that's not already clean.

 

I've used a few different beverage lines and every single type of line, to me, gets that same "off flavor". I always purge the ounce or so out of the line and then fill my glass. Since I tend to do smaller pours, I notice the difference. If you only did full pints you probably wouldn't have to.

Currently, I use Bev Seal Ultra tubing. Lines are very short (1-2ft with flow control faucets) and I clean and deep clean regularly.

 

The Bevlex Vikeman mentioned is the go-to line for me (and many others), never had a hint of trouble with it. If you shop around you can find it online for about 50 cents/ft . . . I buy it in bulk.

Also second the line being cleaned after each use. I use BLC, and applying after only one keg the cleaner comes out a shade of green I never want in my mouth. Don't forget your faucets, if you don't have a brush you need one. I replace faucet o-rings about every two years.

Check out the Home Bar Forum, we talk about stuff like this all the time and frankly we need more posts over there. Currently running a special in Home Bar; post one "foaming" question and receive an additional free "gas leak" response.

 

Could it be a temperature thing? Sometimes there may be a temperature gradient from the keg to the tap. The beer in the line may be sitting at a warmer temperature than the beer in the keg, so the first few oz coming out might taste a little off? The bottom of my keezer is colder than the top. If you have draft towers, the gradient would be larger, although I'm not sure that there is enough beer in the tower to matter. I don't consider myself too experienced in the kegging department, so I'm sure others will have a better sense for the potential importance of this.

 

If you want to have some fun while troubleshooting, have someone pour "blind" from your existing lines. First pour of 3 ounces, followed by a second and third pour. Drink 'em and see if there is a real difference.

Also suggest you check out BLC . . . the first couples of ounces that come out of my beer lines is some bona fide NS* , and I clean after each keg. After circulating it usually sits overnight. Only when it's running clear do I purge/sanitize.

*nasty shit

 

With the exception of a few draft towers that use some S/S choker, every commercial draft system on the planet is using vinyl choker. If you are using No Brand vinyl tubing, don't. If you are using actual Beverage Line it's not your tubing that is causing the problem so check your cleaning procedure, the faucets especially.

And yes, go with Bevelex 200. It is sometimes branded as Kuriyama. Same shit.

Cheers.