This article was co-authored by Kady Richardson and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Kady Richardson is a mixologist in the San Francisco Bay Area. Kady has completed the Comprehensive Bartending Training Program at The Cocktail Camp in San Francisco and specializes in creating approachable, at-home recipes for cocktails. Kady holds a BA in American Studies and an MA in Sociology from Stanford University.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
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You have the keg, you have the cups, and you have a bunch of thirsty friends. But before you can pass out any drinks, you gotta tap the keg. Fortunately, it’s a fairly simple process that won’t take more than a couple of minutes. To successfully tap your first keg, read through this article and get the party started!
Steps
Community Q&A
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QuestionWhat can I do if my system has no pump?Community AnswerIn that case, you would just have to tip the keg so the tap is at a point below the level of the drink. Be aware, however, that beer or lager in kegs is usually carbonated by the pumping system, so expect your drink to be flat (or invest in a cheap tap with mini CO2 cylinders).
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QuestionDo I need to make a hole in the bung a day before taping the ale?Gareth WillsCommunity AnswerIt's best to leave the keg to settle for at least 24 hours, then tap it and wait another 24 hours. This will let the ale settle nicely. For the best results, consider buying a spring rack which slowly tilts the barrel as it gets emptier.
Video
Tips
References
- ↑ https://d163axztg8am2h.cloudfront.net/static/doc/90/92/af37dd51fbf1629cc91270a5eb38.pdf
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/should-you-just-get-a-keg-239518
- ↑ https://static1.squarespace.com/static/592f1146f7e0abbb80a12df5/t/5d0a4a492c88210001f4e9d4/1560955473913/SpecialOrder_KegHowTo.pdf
- ↑ https://static1.squarespace.com/static/592f1146f7e0abbb80a12df5/t/5d0a4a492c88210001f4e9d4/1560955473913/SpecialOrder_KegHowTo.pdf
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaxrhJS6r3k&t=109s
- ↑ https://www.hogtownbrewers.org/brewschooldocs/draft-system-primer.pdf
About This Article
To tap a keg with the American D, European S, or U systems, remove the plastic or cardboard cap from the top of the keg. Ensure the lever on the pump is pulled up, then seat the pump into the opening on the keg valve. Push the tap system down on the keg valve, then twist the tap clockwise about 90 degrees. Pull the pump lever out and push it down to engage the tap. If you see bubbles or foam escaping around the tap, disengage the pump and reseat it. If you need to learn how to tap a German A & M system or a Grundy G keg, keep reading!
Reader Success Stories
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"This was my first time tapping with a G. Easy peasey using your guide. Thanks so much!"