How to Be Draft Beer Technician - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Mar 5, 2021 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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When it comes to keeping a beer tap system running smoothly, the importance of a draft beer technician cannot be overstated. An experienced technician is essential in order to maintain the right level of carbon dioxide and nitrogen in the beer, as well as making sure that all lines and kegs are properly cleaned and sanitized. Without this maintenance, the beer can become over-carbonated, too flat, or even contaminated with bacteria which can lead to a bad taste.

a technician must inspect all of the equipment on a regular basis to make sure that it is in proper working order. This includes checking valves, faucets, and other hardware to ensure that they are free from leaks and blockage. By having an experienced draft beer technician on hand, establishments can be sure that their customers are getting the freshest, tastiest beer possible.

Steps How to Become

Obtain the necessary education and training. Most Draft Beer Technicians have a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent. Many employers prefer applicants who have some post-secondary training in a related field, such as a certificate or diploma in food service, restaurant management, or hospitality.
Obtain relevant industry experience. Draft Beer Technicians should have some experience in the food service industry in order to be familiar with the operation of draft beer systems, as well as other areas of beer service. This experience can be gained through working in a bar or restaurant that serves draft beer.
Become certified as a Draft Beer Technician. Certification is available through the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF). The certification process involves completing an online course, passing the certification exam, and maintaining the certification through continuing education.
Obtain a job as a Draft Beer Technician. Once certified, Draft Beer Technicians can search for job openings at bars, restaurants, and other establishments that serve draft beer. Job openings can usually be found on job search websites, as well as industry-specific job boards.
Maintain your certification. In order to keep their certification current, Draft Beer Technicians must complete continuing education courses every two years. This can be done online or in-person, depending on the certification program.

Becoming a skilled and competent Beer Technician requires dedication and hard work. Education is the first step in this process. To become a Beer Technician you need to be knowledgeable on beer ingredients, brewing processes, fermentation, and packaging.

training in beer tasting and analysis, as well as food pairing, can help to develop a deeper understanding of beer. Once the technical knowledge has been established, the next step is to gain the practical skills necessary to be successful. This includes learning how to properly maintain, clean, and operate brewing equipment.

It is also essential to learn how to troubleshoot any problems that may arise with the equipment and develop an understanding of how to make adjustments and repairs when necessary. Finally, dedication to customer service is paramount for any Beer Technician, as providing excellent customer service will ensure customer satisfaction and help build a successful career as a Beer Technician.

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Job Description

Install and maintain draft beer systems, including beer coolers, glycol systems, pumps, lines and other related equipment.
Troubleshoot existing draft beer systems and diagnose any issues.
Perform regular maintenance on draft beer systems to ensure optimal performance.
Install and test new draft beer systems to ensure proper functioning.
Assist in the development of new draft beer systems to meet customer needs.
Monitor draft beer systems for temperature, pressure, and other factors to ensure optimal quality of the beer.
Train staff on proper use of draft beer systems and operating procedures.
Maintain accurate records of draft beer system maintenance and troubleshooting.
Monitor inventory of parts and supplies to ensure availability of needed materials.
Ensure all safety procedures are followed when working with draft beer systems.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of draft beer system components and operations
Understanding of beer types and styles
Ability to troubleshoot and diagnose beer system problems
Ability to clean and maintain draft beer equipment
Understanding of beer dispense systems, including beer line maintenance and cleaning
Knowledge of proper hygiene and safety protocols
Ability to tap and pour beer
Ability to monitor beer quality
Ability to calculate keg yields and beer pricing
Ability to use basic hand tools and measuring equipment

Being a successful Beer Technician requires a range of technical and interpersonal skills. First and foremost, the Beer Technician must possess a thorough knowledge of beer brewing and fermentation. They need to understand the chemistry, biology, and mathematics behind the process in order to ensure the highest quality product.

the technician must be familiar with the types of equipment used in beer production and be able to troubleshoot and maintain them to maintain optimal performance. On the interpersonal side, the technician must possess excellent communication skills to collaborate with other members of the brewing team as well as customers and vendors. They must also be organized and able to manage multiple tasks at once while maintaining a high level of attention to detail.

Finally, a Beer Technician must be passionate about their work and always striving to further their knowledge in order to provide the best possible product for their customers.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have working with draft beer systems?
How would you troubleshoot and diagnose a draft beer system problem?
What types of cleaning protocols do you follow when working on draft beer systems?
Describe your experience setting up, maintaining, and repairing draft beer systems.
What safety procedures do you follow when working on draft beer systems?
What challenges have you faced in servicing draft beer systems?
What knowledge do you have about draft beer lines and components?
How do you stay up to date with the latest technologies and trends related to draft beer systems?
What methods do you use to ensure customer satisfaction when servicing draft beer systems?
How would you handle a customer complaint regarding a draft beer system?

Common Tools in Industry

Draft Beer Dispenser. A machine used to store, chill, and serve beer on draft. (eg: Perlick 650SS)
Beer Line Cleaning Kit. A kit that contains the tools needed for cleaning and maintaining the beer lines, such as a line cleaning brush, nozzles, and connectors. (eg: Kegco Line Cleaning Kit)
Beer Keg Pump. A device used to pump beer from the keg to the tap. (eg: Taprite Dual Gauge CO2 Regulator)
Refractometer. An instrument used to measure the worts gravity by measuring how much light passes through it. (eg: Oakton Refractometer)
Wort Chiller. A device that cools the wort quickly to help it ferment properly. (eg: Blichmann Therminator)
Hydrometer. A tool used to measure the sugar content in beer. (eg: Brewers Elite Hydrometer)
pH Meter. A device used to measure the acidity or alkalinity of the beer. (eg: Oakton pH 10 Waterproof Meter)
Sanitizing Solution. A solution used to sanitize all surfaces and equipment that come into contact with beer. (eg: Star San Sanitizer)

Professional Organizations to Know

Brewers Association
National Beer Wholesalers Association
Beer Institute
American Malting Barley Association
Master Brewers Association of the Americas
Institute of Brewing and Distilling
Society of Independent Brewers
European Beer Consumers Union
Cicerone Certification Program
Brewers Supply Group
American Society of Brewing Chemists
Regional Brewers Association

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Common Important Terms

Draft Beer System. A draft beer system is a system that dispenses beer from kegs or other containers. It typically consists of a regulator, beer lines, a faucet, and a coupler.
Draft Tower. The draft tower is the metal spout that is connected to the draft beer system where the beer is dispensed.
Keg. A keg is a large container used to store and transport beer. It typically holds about 15. 5 gallons of beer.
CO2 Tank. A CO2 tank is a pressurized tank that is used to carbonate and dispense the beer from the keg.
Beer Lines. Beer lines are lengths of plastic or metal tubing that connect the keg to the tap. They are used to transport the beer from the keg to the tap.
Faucet. A faucet is the device used to dispense the beer from the draft beer system. It is typically made of brass or stainless steel.
Coupler. A coupler is a device used to connect the keg to the draft beer system. Different types of couplers are designed to work with specific types of kegs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Draft Beer Technician do?

A Draft Beer Technician is responsible for installing, maintaining and servicing draft beer systems in commercial and residential locations. They inspect equipment, perform repairs and preventive maintenance, troubleshoot problems, and ensure that draft beer systems are working properly.

What qualifications are required to become a Draft Beer Technician?

To become a Draft Beer Technician, you should have an understanding of draft beer systems, electrical systems and refrigeration. Industry certifications such as ServSafe or Bartender Certification are also recommended.

What tools and equipment are used by a Draft Beer Technician?

Draft Beer Technicians use a variety of tools and equipment to install, maintain and service draft beer systems. This includes wrenches, screwdrivers, taps, gauges, thermometers, CO2 tanks, regulators and keg couplers.

How much does a Draft Beer Technician make?

The average salary for a Draft Beer Technician is $45,000 annually. Pay can vary depending on experience, location and the company or organization for which you work.

What skills are important for a Draft Beer Technician?

Important skills for a Draft Beer Technician include technical knowledge, strong communication and customer service skills, problem solving and troubleshooting abilities, and manual dexterity.