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Anyone who owns a kegerator knows the importance of keeping it sanitary. Each time that you take a draw from your kegerator, the lines are slowly building up with beer stones as well as yeast, both of which leads to a very unsanitary condition.This surface is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and mold. At the least, this can lead to an off taste in the beer and at the worst it could cause serious problems for anyone who drinks beer that has passed through these lines.

This is why cleaning your beer lines is a vital task for every kegerator owner. This will make sure that both you and your friends are always drinking beer that is pure and safe. The problem is that most people do not know how exactly to do this and do this effectively.

With every kegerator, there is a certain amount of responsibility and maintenance that is required. Fortunately, cleaning your beer lines is a very quick process and is great to ensure that your lines are sanitary and functioning properly.

There are many different cleaning kits available for purchase, but they will almost always recommend the same cleaning schedule. If you do not use your kegerator on a consistent basis then you should make sure to clean the lines before each use.The easy thing to remember is that it is impossible to get your lines to clean.

This process is not difficult or complicated once you know what you are doing.The bonus is that with the right cleaning kit, you will be provided with everything that you need. With these kits you will get a container filled with a combination of water and a cleaning solution which will be used to clean and sanitize your lines. The pump on the kegerator should be used to force the cleaning solution through the lines and will help you to remove the buildup that exists in your lines.

Make sure that you are soaking your lines with the cleaning solution as recommended by the kit.

Additional components such as, the faucet and tap should be soaked and rinsed as well. You may also want to use a brush to scrub them as well. If you are stuck only cleaning the lines, then you are still pushing clean beer through a dirty tap and you gain nothing from cleaning the lines, as you are still ruining the beer.

When your kegerator is apart from the lines, take some time to do some other basic maintenance as well. Take this time to inspect all of the o-rings and make sure that their seal is working correctly.Also take time to make sure that the coupling washer, friction washer, and the shaft seat are working properly as well.You should also use a lubricant, food grade lubricant if possible, to coat the probe o-rings and the keg coupler.

However, if you fail in this regard, then you will understand what bad beer really tastes like.

You can easily avoid the embarrassment of serving rancid beer to guests and avoid possible health concerns as well. All you need to do is use proper maintenance techniques as well as keeping to a strict cleaning schedule will ensure that you will always have the best tasting beer available.

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Most grocery store shelves are dominated by beer produced by major breweries in the nation and on the international scene.  Even some of the more popular craft beers out there can be traced directly back to companies like MillerCoors.  This begs the question – are small breweries still profitable?  Is there still a growing demand for craft beers produced by small, local breweries?  Actually, the answer to both of these questions is a resounding “yes.”

To provide proof that this is, in fact, the case, you need look no further than the recent performance of Samuel Adams in the world of Wall Street.  Owned by Boston Beer Company, Sam Adams has gone from a relatively unknown brand to one of the staples in the craft beer market, right next to companies like Sierra Nevada and others.  The year started off looking pretty bleak for Sam Adams, with a lower-than-expected first quarter.  However, the recent announcement that the company’s shares were actually considerably higher than predicted near the end of the year is a certain sign that Sam Adams (and other craft beers) are not only still profitable, but poised for even more growth.

To illustrate the point even further, consider the number of major national breweries initiating a craft arm.  MillerCoors has been marketing Blue Moon for several years now under its own label, and many consumers have no idea that Blue Moon has anything to do with the larger parent company (it’s brewed and bottled by a smaller affiliate in Milwaukee for MillerCoors).  Budweiser has taken similar steps with some of their more recent product announcements, as well, further emphasizing the fact that craft beers and small breweries are not only popular but also profitable.

Perhaps the largest sign that things are still looking good for small breweries is that sales of craft beers to convenience stores and grocery store chains are up considerably.  It was not that long ago that a trip to your local convenience store would give you nothing but major national and international beers.  Today, however, you’ll find beers like Fat Tire right alongside Budweiser, Sierra Nevada beside Coors and the like.  This is a sign that consumers still have a strong desire to enjoy craft beer and most retailers are happy to accommodate that desire.  That translates into significant profitability for small breweries all around the nation, who can tap into the growth.

 

expertvillage asked:

How to use yeast, water, and Irish moss to home brew brown ale beer; learn more about how beer is made in this free instructional video. Expert: Mark Emiley Contact: www.wahomebrewers.org Bio: Mark Emiley has been homebrewing since 1998 when he cooked up his first batch of porter. Filmmaker: Mark Emiley

Michele Webb asked:




If you like the taste of a good brew, then here is some good news! In a recent research study of over 2,900 women and men, researchers found that beer, which contains silicon, may promote bone health. Silicon is a mineral that is thought to stimulate collagen production, which is a building block in bone formation. Wine is rich is phytochemicals, which may also benefit bones. Research does not show, however, in the battle of the sexes, that beer or wine has better or less results in either men or women. In a recent WebMD interview, Katherine Tucker, PhD says that it is possible that two glasses of wine could benefit men, while women may get a bone boost from two cans of beer. Another study of 2,847 people from the Framingham Osteoporosis Study found that men and pre-menopausal women who drank the most silicon, about 40 mg a day, had the highest bone mineral density, a measurement of bone health. Silicon is rarely listed on food labels, so it is hard to tell exactly how much you are consuming. But, you can estimate that one 12-ounce beer has approximately 7 mg of silicon.

It is important is that you drink any alcoholic beverage in moderation because while two cans of beer or two 6 ounce glasses of wine may be good for promoting bone growth, drinking more is harmful. The not-so-good news is that if you drink distilled beverages such as vodka or Scotch, daily consumption of these beverages has shown to actually promote osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a bone-wasting disease that makes your bones brittle and more prone to breaks. The disease increases with age and is more common in women than men, especially postmenopausal women.

Drinking red wine has also shown to be linked to heart health. So, what we are seeing now is a diet that is good for the heart and another that is good for the bones. Because good nutrition is good for the heart, you can consider it good for the bones as well. Other studies have shown that good nutrition also plays a significant role in brain health.

So, how much beer or wine is good for your bones? Current recommendations are for two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women. So, don’t jump and run to a keg party quite yet, remember that moderation is best.

Now, if you are not a beer or wine drinker, don’t start now just to promote bone growth. There are other ways to get silicon, and let us not forget that alcohol consumption raises other health risks such as osteoporosis itself. So, if you are interested in a healthier way to introduce silicon into your diet, you will want to eat dates, mangoes, melons, spinach, apples and even some bottled mineral waters will be good sources.

Publishing Rights: You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print, in your ebook or on your website, free of charge, as long as the author’s information and web link are included at the bottom of the article and the article is not changed, modified or altered in any way. The web link should be active when the article is reprinted on a web site or in an email. Copyright 2005, Michele Webb. All Rights Reserved.

expertvillage asked:

How to use this recipe to home brew brown ale beer; learn more about how beer is made in this free instructional video. Expert: Mark Emiley Contact: www.wahomebrewers.org Bio: Mark Emiley has been homebrewing since 1998 when he cooked up his first batch of porter. Filmmaker: Mark Emiley

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The only thing you really care about is getting your hands on a nice cold brew. But did you ever sit down and wonder who the top beer manufacturers actually are? For more details www.dishadvice.com Of course not. That\’s why you\’re reading what\’s about to follow as we reveal the top beer manufacturers in the world today.

The top five beer manufacturers have quite a few surprises, especially for those of you who are glued to your TV and see nothing but ads for Bud, Bud Light, Miller Light, Molson, Schlitz and the whole cast of characters that follow one bad B-Movie after another.

Well, would it surprise you to know that the fifth largest beer manufacturer in the world is Inbev? Who? You heard right. This worldwide company comes in at number five. They own a ton of premium brands like Beck\’s. Ah, yes, now you know who they are. They also manufacture a few specialty brands like Belle-Vue. Okay, so maybe you\’re not so familiar with that one. This company sells most of their beer in America, Europe and Asia.

David Hu asked:




Beer is made out of four basic ingredients; hops, malted barley, water, and yeast.

Hops help add bitterness, flavor, and smell to the finished beer product. Without hops, beer would just be sweet tasting and lacking in smell. Beers with high levels of hops are more bitter and have a more distinctive aroma. Back in the days, beer brewers would add spices like myrtle and rosemary to brew their beers, but the final product would have a really bad aroma to it. This is how brewers ended up using hops instead.

The first and most commonly used ingredient to make beer is malted barley. Malted barley is a seed that has been soaked in water until it sprouts so that it can begin germination. After that, it is dried out so that it can be used to brew beer. The characteristics of the barley are highly effected by the moisture, roasting duration, and the temperature in which the malt endured. The different characteristics of the malted barley will ultimately effect the color, taste, and smell of the beer.

Water is one of the most important ingredients in beer because it makes up about 90 percent of beer. The mineral content in the brewing water has a significant effect on the flavor and strength of the finished beer. For example, hard water is great for brewing stout, whereas softer water is ideal for brewing pilsner. It is a lot easier for brewers to manipulate the brewing water with modern water supplies, filters, and so fourth to help obtain the desired beer characteristics. The water used to brew beer is normally from the faucet. If any beer company advertises that their water is from the far away places, it’s usually a gimmick.

Yeast is a fungi that is responsible for fermenting in the beer. There are two popular yeast types, Saccharomyce cerevisae (the ale yeast) and Saccharomyces uvarum (the lager yeast). Yeast also plays a huge part in determining the flavors of the finished beer.

These four basic ingredients are used in all types of beers. Whether its a stout or a pilsner, these four ingredients will always exists, but may vary in concentration. And whether its draft beer, bottled or canned, these ingredients are also there.

Mary Jone Elimanco asked:




When we think about it, the best parties we attended are often loaded with beer. Hence, when it’s your turn to host the party, you should also do the same. You must get enough drinks to have it free-flowing for everybody. But to set your celebration apart from the others, you have to elevate your game by investing in party essentials like beer pong tables. Rounding up your guests to play beer pong can be sensationally fun. And it won’t be long for your invited friends to realize that you can throw one mean party for everybody.

Beer pong tables are no doubt party essentials that you should possess for your beer-drinking celebrations. Buying these things will definitely elevate your status as an awesome party host. When you go about purchasing these things, know that there are several types or designs available out there.

These tables can be taken advantage in various sizes. You can get them in lengths of 6 or 8 feet. The standard measurement, however, is for the top part to stretch at 8ft. Tables like these can be purchased in various materials. There are table-tops that can be made from wood, plastic or aluminum. Whatever material they are made from, they are sure to be lightweight so you can move them around with little effort.

The awesome thing about the beer pong tables is that their table-tops are available in various designs. Whether you are purchasing to utilize your units at home or as gifts for your college kids, you can be sure to find a design that’s suitable for the personality of the user. Even you can get a few of these for use in your company when you go on casual corporate gatherings. The tables usually showcase logos of sports teams and beer companies and scantily-clad models. For your own pleasure, you can also order custom units. Such will be great especially if you incorporate the colors or logo of the college or professional team you are loyally a fan of. No worries about having fading designs on your tables as the top surfaces have special coatings that can protect your graphics despite being sloshed by and soaked with beer all the time.

Moreover, these things are highly-portable. There are folding designs that you can buy which you can transport in conveniently-designed briefcase models. And it’s not only in the ground you can play beer pong. There are inflatable models of these tables which you can have floating around within your pool, too.

expertvillage asked:

Get the proper ingredients home brew brown ale beer; learn more about how beer is made in this free instructional video. Expert: Mark Emiley Contact: www.wahomebrewers.org Bio: Mark Emiley has been homebrewing since 1998 when he cooked up his first batch of porter. Filmmaker: Mark Emiley

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How to Match Beer and Food

 

Today with all of the focus on local microbreweries and people becoming more quality conscious about beers, there are new efforts afloat to match foods and beers in ways that they can complement one another. It is no longer just about having a beer with a steak and salad, chicken wings, or pizza. Today people are trying to pair foods and beers in such a way that there is a new harmony between the two.

 

In order to match foods and beers successfully, it is necessary to figure out what the strengths are of both the food and the beer that might lend themselves to one another. Some of the things to consider are how light dishes and light beers work together. Not light as lightweight or as in having less substance, but light as in delicately flavored. For instance, perhaps a pale ale might work with a food such as a salad.

 

Foods with strong flavors such as dishes with onions or sausage should be paired with stronger tasting beers and ales. You would need to consider such characteristics or qualities as sweetness and bitterness, highly carbonated or lightly carbonated, the character of  the malt, and the richness of the flavors when successfully matching beers and foods. A good example is how a German lager with rich flavor might go well with a dinner of roast pork.