Pub Landlord: 3 Signs You Need to Take a Look at Your Glycol System

No one likes a warm beer. As the landlord of a pub, it is likely you rely on a glycol system to transport the larger from the kegs in the cellar up to the taps on the bar without it getting warm. It is important that you understand the signs that your glycol system requires maintenance. If you do not, it is likely you will have a lot of unhappy customers. Below is a guide to three warning signs that you need to service your glycol system.

Warm larger

The number one sign that you need to take a look at the glycol system is warm larger coming from the taps on the bar. It is likely that your customers will be the first to alert you to this when they take a sip of their drink. You should instruct all of your bar staff to take immediate action if a customer complains about warm beer. They should immediately go down to the cellar and check the cool room where the barrels of beer are stored. If the cool room feels warm, you will need to contact an HVAC contractor. If the cool room is at the correct temperature, then the beer is being warmed because of a fault with the glycol system. They should call an engineer who specialises in glycol system repair and maintenance.

Water in the system

You should train all of your staff on how to check the reservoir on the glycol system. The level of liquid in this reservoir may slowly drop and may need to be topped up. When topping up the reservoir, you should also check for any sign of ice in the liquid. Glycol liquid is stored below the freezing point of water, so any ice in the system suggests that water has contaminated the system. Ice is a problem because it can cause blockages and affect heat-transfer. If you spot ice, it is time to call in a contractor.

Failed compressor

A glycol system uses a motor and a pump to compress the fluid and to circulate it around the beer line system. Whenever the glycol system is operational, you should be able to hear a faint hum, similar to the sound made my a refrigeration unit or freezer. Every morning, before you open the pub for business, you should take a moment to stand in the cellar so you can listen to the sound of the glycol system in operation. If this sound stops or changes, it is a sign that there is a problem with the pump or the motor and that you need to have the system serviced.