Table of Contents

Unleash the Flow: Your Complete Guide to Getting Beer From a Keg

Quick answer

This page answers How do you get beer from a keg? quickly.

Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.

Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.

Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.

▶

So, you’ve got a keg. Congratulations! You’re about to become very popular. But before you’re the hero of the party, you need to know how to actually get the beer out of that glorious metal vessel. The short answer? It involves a few key steps, some essential equipment, and a dash of understanding how the whole system works.

Here’s the breakdown: you need to tap the keg correctly using a coupler, which connects the keg to a gas source (usually CO2). This pressurized gas pushes the beer through a beer line to a faucet, from where you can pour your perfectly chilled pint.

Now, let’s dive into the details, explore the various scenarios, and answer all the burning questions you might have.

Understanding the Basics: The Draft System

Before we get into the step-by-step, let’s understand the components of a draft system:

Keg: The container holding your precious beer.
Coupler: The connector that attaches to the keg valve, allowing gas to enter and beer to exit.
Gas Tank (CO2 or Nitrogen): Provides the pressure to push the beer out. CO2 is most common for beer, while nitrogen or mixed gas (nitrogen and CO2) are used for stouts and some other beers to create a smoother, creamier head.
Regulator: Controls the pressure of the gas entering the keg.
Beer Line: The tubing that carries the beer from the keg to the faucet. The length and diameter of the line are crucial for proper dispensing and preventing foamy beer.
Faucet: Where the beer comes out! Can be a standard faucet or a flow control faucet for managing flow rate.
Cooler/Kegerator: Maintains the beer at the ideal temperature, essential for taste and preventing excessive foaming.

Step-by-Step: Tapping a Keg

This process assumes you have a standard American Sankey keg coupler, the most common type in the US. Other couplers exist, especially for imported beers, so double-check compatibility.

Gather Your Supplies: You’ll need the keg, the correct coupler, a CO2 tank and regulator, a beer line, a faucet, and appropriate wrenches for tightening connections.
Chill the Keg: Ideally, let the keg sit in a refrigerator or kegerator for at least a few hours, preferably overnight. Cold beer pours much better. Do not agitate the keg. If there has been excessive agitation during transportation, allow the keg to settle for 1 to 2 hours before tapping.
Connect the Coupler:
- Remove the dust cover from the keg valve.
- Ensure the coupler handle is in the open (upright) position.
- Align the coupler with the keg valve and push it down firmly.
- Rotate the coupler clockwise until it locks into place.
Connect the Gas Line: Attach the gas line from your CO2 regulator to the gas inlet on the coupler. Tighten securely with a wrench.
Set the Regulator Pressure: Adjust the regulator to the appropriate pressure for your beer. A general guideline is 10-12 PSI for most beers, but consult carbonation charts for specifics based on temperature and desired carbonation level.
Tap the Keg: Push the coupler handle down to the closed (horizontal) position. You should hear a click as the coupler engages and pressurizes the keg.
Connect the Beer Line and Faucet: Attach the beer line to the beer outlet on the coupler and the faucet to the other end of the beer line. Ensure all connections are tight.
Purge the Line: Open the faucet slightly to allow the gas to push any air out of the beer line. Close the faucet once beer starts flowing.

Dispensing the Beer

The First Pour: The first pour might be a bit foamy as the system settles. Don’t worry!
Open the Faucet Fully: Pull the faucet handle all the way open for a smooth, consistent pour.
Tilt the Glass: Hold the glass at a 45-degree angle and aim the beer at the side of the glass until it’s about half full.
Straighten the Glass: Gradually straighten the glass as it fills, aiming for a perfect head of about an inch.
Adjust Pressure (if needed): If the beer is consistently foamy, lower the pressure slightly. If it’s pouring slowly and flat, increase the pressure. Making small adjustments is key.

Untapping a Keg

Shut Off the Gas: Close the valve on the CO2 tank.
Relieve Pressure: Pull the pressure relief valve on the coupler to release any remaining pressure in the keg. Be prepared for a hiss of gas.
Disconnect the Coupler: Lift the coupler handle to the open position and rotate the coupler counterclockwise to unlock it from the keg valve.
Remove the Coupler: Gently pull the coupler straight up and off the keg.
Replace the Dust Cover: Put the dust cover back on the keg valve to prevent contamination.

Hand Pump Alternative

While CO2 systems are ideal, you can use a hand pump for a simpler, though less controlled, experience. Hand pumps introduce air into the keg, which will cause the beer to go flat faster (within 24 hours).

Attach the Hand Pump: Connect the hand pump to the keg coupler.
Pump: Pump the handle to pressurize the keg.
Pour: Dispense the beer from the faucet.
Pump as Needed: Continue pumping periodically to maintain pressure as you pour.

FAQs: Your Keg Questions Answered

What do I need to get beer from a keg? You’ll need a keg of beer, a compatible coupler, a CO2 tank and regulator (or a hand pump), a beer line, a faucet, and a way to keep the keg cold (refrigerator or kegerator). The draft systems used to get beer to you from the keg are more complicated than you might think. In any draft system, you’ve got six main components: cooler, keg, coupler, gas, tubing, and faucet—it can get more complex, but that’s the basic setup.
How does beer get from keg to tap? Any draft system requires pressurized gas to propel beer from the keg to the faucet. When this pressurized gas is pushed into the keg through the coupler, it forces the beer out into the beer line where it eventually travels up to the tap so you can pour a pint on demand.
Can you drink beer straight from a keg? ‘On draught’ means straight from the keg, through the tap, and into your pint glass. They’re usually kept in temperature-controlled cellars, and passed through cooling pipes on the way, meaning the stuff you drink ends up being nice and cool. Once the beer is put into the keg it needs to be gassed with C02 (which usually takes 36-48hrs), then the beer needs a couple of days to absorb that gas.
Can you use beer kegs without a machine? Yes! 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. However, the beer will go flat quicker since air is being pumped into the keg.
How do you get beer out of a keg without a pump? While not recommended, if you are desperate and have no pump, you can try this method: Jam your screwdriver in the ball pressure valve on top of the “spear” in the keg and press it in. This allows the gas to escape, along with your warm bubbly cargo. Pro-tip: wear waterproof shoes and don’t do this during winter. Note that this method is messy and uncontrolled. It will also likely result in warm, foamy beer.
How many beers do you get per keg? A standard 1/2 barrel keg (full size keg) contains 15.5 gallons, which equals approximately 124 pints or 165 12oz bottles.
How long should a keg sit before tapping? Do not agitate the keg. If there has been excessive agitation during transportation, allow the keg to settle for 1 to 2 hours before tapping. This allows the sediment to settle and reduces foaming. Make sure the beer faucet is in the off position prior to tapping. Remove the dust cover from the beer keg.
Why is my keg not dispensing beer? Possible reasons include:
- Empty keg: Double-check that the keg is not empty.
- Clogged lines: Check for clogs in the beer lines and clean them if necessary.
- Improper pressure: Ensure the CO2 pressure is set correctly. If the pressure is too low, it can prevent beer from flowing.
How many kegs do I need for 100 people? If you estimate each person will drink 3 glasses of beer: 3 (glasses) x 100 (people) x 12 (ounces) = 3600 ounces. A standard keg is 1984 ounces, so divide 3600/1984 =1.8 and you need 2 kegs of beer.
Can you drink keg beer without CO2? Yes, using a hand pump. Because air consists oxygen the quality of the beer in the keg drops a lot faster than when using CO 2. The drop in quality starts in about 24-hours. You can compare this process to leaving a draught beer on the table for some time. This drawback is not always a problem though.
Why is my keg so foamy?
- Too much pressure: If your pressure is set too high the beer will flow too fast and cause it to be agitated and foamy when it pours.
- Warm beer: Make sure the keg is properly chilled.
- Kinked or restricted beer line: Ensure the beer line is free of obstructions.
- Improper glass angle: Use the correct pouring technique.
- If you have a flow control tap or a kegerator with correct length lines you should set your pressure at the recommended one from the carbonation page.
How long is beer OK in a keg? A good rule of thumb is that the shelf life for a keg of pasteurized beer is about 90-120 days (or 3-4 months), and unpasteurized draft beer will last about 45-60 days (or 6-8 weeks) when stored at the proper temperature. Many imported and domestic beers are pasteurized.
Are beer kegs worth it? Even if you’re having a smaller get-together, a keg could be worth it, depending on how long everyone will be there. For example, if you’re inviting people to come at 5 p.m. and expect them to hang around until midnight, they might want more than four drinks apiece.
Do kegs only hold beer? Kegs are small barrels that can hold any type of liquid in them, but they have been most known to store, transport and serve beer.
Can I get beer out of keg without CO2? Lay it on its side with a 2×4 block under the end of it. Lay the keg so that the IN post is down at 6 O’clock and the beverage out post is at 12 O’clock. Now keep the open ended running above the keg so beer doesn’t run out of it. Then you can drain the keg as if it was a cask via gravity.

Beyond Beer: Games and Learning

Now that you are ready for the next party with your new knowledge, you should think about the afterparty. The Games Learning Society is a great place for people to go and learn all about games and how they are evolving. If you want to find out more, go to GamesLearningSociety.org.

Conclusion

Getting beer from a keg isn’t rocket science, but a little knowledge goes a long way. By understanding the components of a draft system, following the tapping process, and troubleshooting common issues, you’ll be pouring perfect pints in no time. Now, go forth and be the ultimate host! Cheers!