Whether its standing proudly at the center of a party or hiding discretely in the back room of a pub, the keg is the vessel of choice for beer. Thats why more than 60 million gallons of beer are sold in kegs every year. Its also why those that know how to tap a keg are invaluable.
Kegs sure are awesome. After all, what better way could there be to move that precious liquid around than in a big, round barrel that can be rolled, stacked and tapped? No need to worry about bottle caps or broken glass; the keg is incredibly durable, requires no cap and is completely recyclable [source: Beer Institute].
But whats going on inside a keg? And more importantly, how exactly does one unlock the golden brown elixir trapped within? While beer bottles are transparent, kegs reveal nothing of the complex and uneasy chemical truce thats been established in their dark interiors, nor of the technology that makes them work.
When we press on the tap of a keg at a party, or when we order up a pint at the bar, we take it for granted that beer will flow forth with just the right proportions of foam, carbonation, coolness and flavor. But the truth is that a great deal of thought has gone into achieving that perfect balance.
Inside the keg, there’s a long tube of metal extending from the valve to the vessel’s bottom. To get beer out of the keg, gas pressure is applied to the top surface of the liquid, which presses the beer from the bottom of the keg up through that metal tube and out of the valve.
What Is A Keg?
A keg is a fancy version of your basic barrel. In the factory, a sheet of stainless steel is rolled into a cylinder and welded together. Then, at the cylinders midpoint, a set of ribs is pressed into it for added rigidity. Next, top and bottom steel plates are stamped out and likewise welded into place.
The steel in question, a particular alloy of chromium, nickel, manganese and several other elements, is used because it welds cleanly leaving a smooth joint — this is very important for a food-grade container because you dont want any rough surfaces where bacteria can set up shop. [source: nickelinstitute.org]
The airtightness of a keg is incredibly important — its what keeps the beer from becoming flat and flavorless. Still, the beer has to come out somewhere, and thats why theres a spear. The spear is a long metal tube that reaches almost to the bottom of the keg. Despite its warlike name, the spear is basically a big metal straw through which beer can travel up from the bottom of the keg and out through the tap at the top [source: nickelinstitute.org].
Just what are taps, and why do English and American brews refuse to come out of the same ones? Well get to that in a bit. Right now, lets find out why all kegs are not created equal.
Dave Buchanan has been the Content Writer for KegWorks since June 2019. He has a fondness for craft beer that developed while working for a local beer distributor. Dave also worked for an area sports talk radio station for several years, and continues his broadcasting work as a motorsports announcer and indoor lacrosse reporter.
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FAQ
How long does a keg last once tapped at a bar?
How do kegs stay cold in a bar?
What do bars do with empty kegs?
How does a keg tap work?
The tap or beer coupler is attached to the keg valve, while the faucet lever is attached to the tap handle. The valve holds the beer inside the keg while the faucet lever and tap allows it to flow. Keg taps come in different types, including Sankey couplers and keg couplers.
How does a steel keg work?
The hero always gets carried on the shoulders of fans. Steel kegs are built to withstand pressure, both from the outside and the inside. With some beer containers (casks, mini-kegs, torpedoes and beer balls) the spout is often at the bottom of the vessel, and gravity forces the beer out of the tap when it’s opened.
How do you pump a beer keg?
Remove the cap, slide the coupler onto the valve, and twist it until it locks securely in place. Attach the hand pump on top of the coupler, press the tap firmly into the keg, and start pumping. The hand pump operates by pressurizing the keg with air, forcing the beer up and out when the tap is open. Give the keg a few pumps, and that’s it!
How to tap a keg?
Here are three of the best ways to tap a keg using a hand pump, a jockey box, and a kegerator. Any of these will do if you’re not sure how to tap a keg at home or outdoor event. Using a hand pump for a beer keg is a classic method that’s perfect for outdoor events or places where electricity might not be accessible.