Elizabeth Lang is a freelance writer, currently residing in Minneapolis, MN. Her passions include travel, environmental issues, food (especially ice cream), and personal finance. She is the co-founder of Go Green Travel Green Online Magazine.
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Beer and FoodSUPPLIES
Overview
Different brands of beer require different types of taps to get beer from the keg. In the U.S., there are eight types of tap systems (also called cooperage, which includes the valve and coupler):
D--Fits most American made beers.
S--Fits some import beers like Becks.
A--Fits some German beer.
M--Also used with German beers.
G--Fits English beers including Boddingtons and Bass.
U--Fits English beers like Guinness.
Before tapping any beer, you must first choose the correct tap
Step 1
Determine what type of tap you need. The brand and type of beer will determine what type of tap you will need. For example, Budwiser beer uses a different type of tap than Beck's beer. Contact the distributor where you purchased the beer, or search a website like Micromatic.com (see Resources). The most common tap for American beer is "D."
Step 2
Obtain the correct cooperage system (cooperage system refers to the tap, coupler and valve system) through your local distributor or an online distributor such as Micromatic.com or Kegworks.com.
Step 3
Turn the tap off by placing the lever in the upright position.
Step 4
Tap the keg by pushing the tap down into the designated spot on the top of the keg. You will feel a seal break when you push down.
Step 5
Twist the tap in a clockwise direction. After you twist the tap about 90 degrees, it will lock into place.
Step 6
Turn on the tap by pushing the handle down so beer can flow from the keg.
TIPS AND WARNINGS
- WARNING : When you first tap the keg, foam may appear. It is normal to have three to eight glasses worth of foam when the keg is first tapped before non-foamy beer comes out.
Resources
