Facts About Keg Beer

Purchasing more than five kegs of beer means registering with police in some states.

One keg of beer contains 165 12-ounce servings and stays fresh on tap for eight to 12 hours. Unlike bottled beer, keg beer is unpasteurized and has no preservatives. For a perfect glass with minimal foam, maintain cold temperatures and constant pressure, and use a clean pump.

Temperature and Bacteria

Since kegs aren't pasteurized, keeping them below 55 degrees Fahrenheit is critical. Any warmer and bacteria will degrade the taste quickly.

Pressure

Kegs arrive pressurized. Don't pump your keg or you will disturb the pressure, resulting in excessively foamy beer.

Pump

Keep your beer line clean by using only chemicals manufactured for the specific process. Lines infiltrated with yeast, mold and bacteria will create poor beer flavor and excess foam.

Keg Registration

Twenty states have adopted keg registration laws. In these locales, if a consumer buys more than five kegs of beer at a time, an affidavit must be signed that allows police to enter the premises where the kegs are stored or used.

Laws Vary

North Carolina residents must obtain a permit to buy a keg of beer, even if over 21, and pedestrians in that state may be subject to breathalyzer testing. A similar pedestrian law was overturned in Michigan after it was deemed unconstitutional.

References

• Keg Coat: Beer Keg Facts and Tips
• SUNY Potsdam: It's Now Easier to Buy a Shotgun Than a Keg of Beer in NC
• SUNY Potsdam: Beer Keg Registration
• City of Gainesville: Measuring Public Policy--The Case of Beer Keg Registration Laws