Ask The Brewmasters

We have been trying to get the owner to replace brewery hoses for over the last 2 years. 

I was hoping I could get some solid information about how long a brewery hose should last/ should be replaced. 

We have been cutting them down and banding once we see an issue but have started to see breaks where there seems to be nothing to show us on the outside. We have also had a few of the ends that are banded slip as of late. 

Honestly I'm just hoping for a year mark that I can say after that they all need replacement.

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Christopher Courtney
Head Brewer
Head of Production
Mother's Brewing Co
Springfield MO
(417) 862-0423
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Hey Christopher, it's hard to put a hard replacement time frame on brewery hoses. It depends on a few factors; storage, CIP/process use, etc. Some busier breweries I've worked for in the past replaced hoses every 2 years, others on an as needed basis. You can find pretty affordable inspection cameras (amazon has a bunch) that can link to your smart phone to check the internal walls for cracks, damage and wear. Also keep an eye out for "pilling", small pieces/balls of rubber flaking off the internal sidewalls - certainly an indicator to replace the hose. External blisters are also a great reason to replace hoses as they are clearly compromised. Talk with your hose supplier or shop around and make sure the hoses you are buying can handle your process and CIP needs. UHMW hoses are worth looking into, more expensive than "standard" but you should get a longer life out of them. If your owner needs any more convincing, remind them that brewery process hose integrity is important for personal safety and food safety.  

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Jeff Metz
Pilot Brewer
Starr Hill Rooftop & Beerhall
Richmond, VA
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Good afternoon, Christopher

Life expectancy on hose can vary. There are a several things to consider. Actual age of hose. CIP chemical %, Hot side or cold side of brew process, how often it is used and how it's stored. Typical life of hose can be up to 5-6 years if everything is done right and the sun and moon align. EPDM and Chlorobutyl tube can start to breakdown in the 4th to 5th year. Main contributor is CIP chemicals. The chlorobutyl typically will not get into your beer but will start to stick to stainless steel. You may have already seen this. It's a white substance that won't wipe off easily or there is a ring in your tanks that is visible once empty. Take a flashlight and look in the tube of the hose. If it looks like rough sandpaper or you see cracks in the tube, it's definitely time to replace.

Feel free to contact me directly for more discussion 708-932-8386.

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Rob Williams
Sales Manager
Alliance Hose & Rubber
Elmhurst, Il
708-932-8386
rwilliams@alliancehose.com
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Hi Christopher,

I think the other responses have answered the question technically. As a means of further convincing the owner, you can try swabbing about 6-9 inches inside the hoses immediately after CIP. Plate these out and, if you get growth, you know that it is past time to change the hose.

I also recommend keeping a hose log book, to record every time a hose has been used, cleaned or caused any problems. This can also be used to persuade reluctant financiers.

Cheers,

Chris.

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Christopher Williams
Owner, Hoppy Bulldog (Serving Hong Kong Beer)
Hong Kong, China.
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