How to Tap a Keg in a Kegerator

You've got your kegerator out of the box and assembled. You just picked up a fresh keg of your favorite brew. Now what? Here is a quick and easy guide to tapping your first keg in a kegerator.

Guide to Tapping Your Keg in a Kegerator

1. Before tapping the keg, you want to give it some time to settle in the kegerator and reach the proper serving temperature. The amount of time it cools depends on how cold the keg is when you get it. The right temperature can depend on the style of beer you are serving as some brands are served warmer than others, but the general rule is that beer needs to be between 32 and 38 degrees to stay in its liquid form. Otherwise, you'll end up dispensing a bunch of foam.
2. The next step is tapping the keg. Make sure that you have the right type of keg coupler for the beer you're serving. Most domestic beers use a D-system keg coupler but you may need something else if you're tapping an import or home-brewed beer. Check out our Keg Coupler Compatibility Chart to find the one that is right for you.
3. Next, open your Co2 tank and set the pressure. Make sure the valves on the regulator are open also and adjust the regulator to your serving pressure. Again, the type of beer you are serving dictates the amount of pressure necessary to dispense it, but we generally start with around 10 psi and adjust as necessary to balance the keg (Watch this video for tips on setting the proper pressure). You want to make sure that the regulator is pressurized before tapping the keg to prevent your beer from flowing back into the air lines when you tap it.
4. Take the dust cover off of your keg and connect the keg coupler. Twist the coupler clockwise into the keg until it's snug. Lever handle couplers require you to pull the handle out before pushing it down or lifting it up. Once the keg is tapped, you'll notice a little beer go into the line but it won't fill it until you open the faucet.

Now that you've got it tapped, enjoy your cold refreshing beer.

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