Cicerone Certified Beer Server Practice Exam

What is a common troubleshooting step if a draft system is not functioning properly?

1. Check for kinks in hoses

2. Inspect the serving temperature

3. Change the gas cylinder

4. Re-test the beer recipe

The correct answer is: Check for kinks in hoses

A common troubleshooting step when a draft system is not functioning properly is to check for kinks in hoses. Kinks can block the flow of beer or gas, compromising the performance of the draft system. If the hoses are bent or pinched, this can lead to issues such as foamy pours, inconsistent pressure, or even complete blockage of beer flow. While inspecting the serving temperature is important for ensuring optimal beer quality, it typically is not a first step in troubleshooting a mechanical issue. Changing the gas cylinder might be necessary if there are signs of gas depletion, but that would not directly address potential flow issues. Re-testing the beer recipe is important for quality control but unrelated to mechanical problems with the draft system. Thus, checking for kinks in hoses is a critical and immediate first step in troubleshooting draft system issues.