Beer Keg Facts and Tips

Here are some interesting beer keg facts and tips. If you have keg tips or facts that you don't see here, email us! We'll be happy to put your thoughts online.

Ever had a keg that seemed to pour nothing but foam? How about a keg that tasted terrible? Most of the problems that people have with beer kegs are related to one of three things: Temperature, pressure and pump. It is absolutely essential to keep your keg as cold as possible and properly pressurized, and to use a pump that has been properly cleaned and maintained. That being said, you may find the following keg tips helpful:

BEER KEG FACTS:  Fact #1
Unlike bottled beer, keg beer is unpasteurized. Pasteurization is the process of heating a beverage to kill bacteria. Because kegs are unpasteurized, it is critical that they remain below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature, dormant bacteria in the beer become active and quickly ruin the flavor of your beer.

BEER KEG FACTS:  Fact #2
Kegs are much more economical than cases. A full beer keg contains the equivalent of 165 12-ounce beers. That's almost seven cases! The next time you're throwing a party, do the math. Check what your beer retailer is charging for the same beer in cases and kegs. Kegs are a winner every time!

BEER KEG FACTS:  Fact #3
Once a keg is tapped with a pump, the beer is generally considered fresh for 8-12 hours. After this time, the flavor of the beer begins to degrade. During this time, the two most important factors in beer quality are temperature and pressure. Make sure your beer stays as cold as possible, and isn't over pressurized. Warm beer and over pressurized kegs are the two biggest causes of foamy beer!

BEER KEG FACTS:  Fact #4
It's important to keep your beer equipment clean. If you use your own pump, make sure you clean it regularly. Use only cleaning chemicals specifically manufactured for beer line cleaning. These chemicals are designed to remove the bacteria, yeast, mold, and beer stone that can build up in keg pumps. A dirty pump will cause foaming and ruin the flavor of your beer.

BEER KEG TIPS:  Fact #5
Do not over pump your keg! This causes excessive pressure and foaming. Many people make the mistake of pumping their keg before pouring their first beer. The fact is, your keg is already pressurized before you attach your pump. This is what keeps the beer from going flat. After you attach your pump, pour your first few beers without any pumping. This will minimize the foaming caused by an over pressurized keg.

BEER KEG TIPS:  Fact #6
Kegs taste better! Many people like the taste of keg beer better than bottles or cans. The reason for this is simple. Bottles and cans contain preservatives to give them a longer shelf life. Kegs do not. This means that keg beer is usually fresher, compared to bottles and cans which might have been brewed several months ago and still not be past their expiration date!

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