What is the proper percentage for a caustic solution when cleaning beer lines?

A 2-3% caustic solution is the appropriate concentration for effectively cleaning beer lines. This percentage strikes a balance between being strong enough to remove organic residues and beerstone without risking damage to the materials used in draft systems, such as rubber or plastics.

Caustic solutions are powerful cleaning agents effective at breaking down fats, oils, and proteins that can build up in beer lines, leading to off-flavors and microbiological contamination. The 2-3% concentration is optimal for maintaining cleanliness and sanitation while ensuring that the solution is still manageable and safe for use in a brewery context.

Higher concentrations, beyond 3%, could lead to excessive wear or damage to the line components over time, while lower concentrations might not effectively eliminate all residues. Thus, a 2-3% solution is widely recommended in industry standards for routine cleaning of draft beer systems to maintain the quality of the beer served.