Off Flavors for many batches

[seanhagerty]

I have been having an off flavor in my brews when I was kegging, last summer I poured out a batch or two that had gone way beyond sour. I got some tips from TBNer's that have helped me get beyond that, but I have noticed an off flavor in all my kegged beer.

I was rigourous in my sanitation and even went so far as to boil my corny fittings and dip tubes between batches. I spray starsan on my fittings when ever I attach or even when I just think about it. (I dont dettach just to spray )

I have started to think that the cause is inside my CO2 regulator. So, today I took it apart. There was a large amount of chunky dirt like material in there and I even found some greasy spots. I cleaned and sanitized as much as I could get to, taking care not to get any liquid in the gauges. I THINK I have found my flavor problems.

Any one ever run into something like this?

Sean

[trans]

I can't say I ever had any dried/greasy stuff up in there, but I have managed to get beer into my regulator before when I had a leak where my CO2 tank connected to the regulator. Basically since the keg was pressurized, it forced the beer past my check valves somehow and into the regulator. What a mess that was when I woke up the next day. I ended up taking the regulator apart, then using a repair kit I had bought from Northern Brewer, I got it back in good condition. Perhaps something like this happened to you, but you never noticed it happen? It could even be something as simple as not working valves correctly, or not venting a keg or the like, where a quick shot of beer went through the gas line into the regulator.

I'm not sure what else would cause what you described, but if anybody else has any ideas, perhaps they can help you out.

- joe

[seanhagerty]

Regardless of what caused it, I cleaned the regulator, replaced the line, cleaned the fitting and am back in service. I'm hoping I got it fixed.

I also made a decision to keep the bottle higher than the keg so no liquid jumps back down into it

Sean

[jamilz]

Are you sure it isn't contamination coming from the faucets? I don't leave my faucets connected any more. I hook them up, pour a pint, disconnect and sanitize. A bit of work, but it prevents the bugs from getting to the keg.

[seanhagerty]

No, I am not sure, the more I think I know about things, the less I realize I do know.

Another thing to think about.......


Thanks all

[indyGold]

I hook them up, pour a pint, disconnect and sanitize. A bit of work, but it prevents the bugs from getting to the keg.

I do this too. It's nice to know I'm not the only one who's cautious about leaving faucets connected for extended periods of time.

If I know I'm going to drain a keg in a few weeks after tapping it I leave it connected. For ones that will be hanging around for months, I disconnect and clean.

[Gucci Pilot]

No, I am not sure, the more I think I know about things, the less I realize I do know.

Another thing to think about.......


Thanks all

Dammit, Hagerty. Keep your goats out of the brewery.

[Otterbrew]

An alternative to removing and cleaning taps all of the time...

A couple of years ago, I was able to purchase tap plugs/covers (on eBay) which look like large, burnt orange baby "binkies" (pacifiers), that fit tightly on the spouts - they work great. I have been unable to find them since, and could use a couple more. I believe that the seller was based in Australia, and I have lost his business card. If anyone knows a source for these, I would appreciate it.
Take care,
-Otterbrew