How to Handle and Tap a Keg

Keg,Container, and Tap

There is nothing better than beer on tap. If you are planning a party or get together and you want to serve draught beer, the following is a step by step guide on how to properly handle and tap a keg of beer.

Things You'll Need

• Retail outlet that sells "kegs to go"
• Container or storage unit
• Proper tapping equipment

Instructions

1. Find a retail outlet that sells "kegs to go." State's laws on alcohol sales are different, so you need to find a store than can stock and sell beer in kegs.

2. Make sure the store has the brand and size keg you want to buy. Kegs come in three different sizes, a 1/2 keg which holds 15.5 gallons or roughly 7 1/2 cases (24 12oz cans), a 1/4 keg which holds 7.75 gallons or roughly 3 3/4 cases, and a sixtle keg which holds 5.2 gallons or roughly 2 1/2 cases. A good rule of thumb is that a 1/2 keg usually serves 40 to 50 people.

3. Place a deposit on the keg, which you'll get back when you return it. If you do not have tapping equipment, you will also have to rent this as well. There several types of tapping equipment available for rent. The most common one is a hand tap or picnic pump. This has a serving hose attached to a hand pump. The pump is designed to push the beer out of the keg and through the beer knozzle or spigot.This is by far the simplest option. One thing to keep in mind with a hand tap is that you will have to use the beer within a twenty four hour period because as you tap the keg, you are filling the empty space with air. This will cause the remainder of the beer to go flat after an extended period of time. The other option is a tap with a CO2 tank. This works the same way as a hand pump, but now you are filling the empty space with CO2 which is found naturally in beer. This is ideal if you plan to serve the beer for longer than a day. One last thing when renting tapping equipment is to make sure the keg coupler on the tapping device fits the type of keg your are buying. American kegs have different keg couplings than European kegs. The salesperson at the store should be able to help you determine the best equipment suited for your event.

4. Keep the keg cold. Because draught beer is not pasteurized when kegged, it must remain at 45 degrees or less to maintain proper taste and freshness. The easiest way to keep the keg cold is to put it in a plastic tub or other round container big enough to fit the keg as well as ice on the sides and top. If the container is not insulated, you can wrap a blanket around the keg and tub to help keep it cold. Most retail outlets will also rent containers designed especially for kegs. If you have access to refrigeration, that is the best way to store the keg until it is ready to be tapped and served.

5. Tap the keg only when you are ready to serve the beer. If you have a hand pump, simply place the keg coupler which is located on the bottom of the tap, on the top valve of the keg. Turn the tap until it locks into place. Open the valve or spigot on the tap and beer will pour out. If it is leaking at the keg connection your tap is not locked properly in place.
   Do not be surprised if you get only foam when you first tap the keg. Simply use a pitcher or other large container run off the first few ounces and the beer should start to run clear. Once the flow slows down, you can use the hand pump to push the beer out. If you continue to have foam check the following things: the beer is cold enough, as if it is warmer than 45 degrees it will be foamy, make sure there is no obstruction in the beer tap, and make sure the tap is properly connected to the keg. Another issue could be if the keg was recently moved or rolled. It is just like shaking a container of carbonated liquid. You may have to wait until the beer settles, to reduce the amount of foam.

6. If you are tapping a keg with a tap with a CO2 connection follow all the steps above, but instead of using a hand pump to push the beer, you will open the valve on the CO2 tank. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT, make sure you have the proper pressure set on the gauge that is connected to the CO2 tank. It should not be set at more than 15 lbs. of pressure. Over pressurizing the keg will make the beer foamy and undrinkable. You may have to adjust the pressure downward until it begins to pour clear. If it is still foamy check all the same items as mentioned with a hand tap.

Tips & Warnings

• Once you have successfully tapped your keg, make sure it stays cold at all times. If it is allowed to go over 45 degrees the beer will come out foamy.