Tapping a keg of beer is a relatively simple thing to do. But before you’re ready to tap the keg, there are a few things you’ll need to do first…
If your keg fridge has just undergone the stress of being transported or laid on its side it will need to sit upright for an hour before you plug it in. After an hour you can plug in the fridge. You can put the keg in the fridge and tap it BEFORE the fridge is plugged in, just know that you will need to let it chill for a minimum 4 hours inside the fridge before you are ready to pour any beer. (That’s 1 hour fridge unplugged & 4 hours Chilling the keg = a 5 hour minimum set up time before you can pour any beer.)
Likewise if your keg of beer has just undergone significant jostling (like in a vehicle), it will need to sit for 2 to 3 hours before you tap it. Tapping a keg that has been shaken will result in foamy beer. The more you move the keg the more the beer gets agitated. When Beer is agitated it will release the CO2 from the beer and increase the pressure in the keg or worse release the CO2 while you are pouring your beer. Either way both of these will cause foamy beer. TIP: To speed up the “SETTLING PROCESS” of your keg you can do three things to help;
- Get the beer cold as fast as possible and keep it cold until you want to pour.
- “Pressure Neutralizing your Keg” (see below) while you are letting it settle. DO NOT add any CO2 until you are ready to pour the beer.
- DO NOT MOVE YOUR KEG!!!!!!!!!!
Attach the Regulator to the CO2 tank and tighten with a wrench. Open valve on the top of tank and please ensure that you turn the regulators “Shut Off” valve located below the Dials attached to the CO2 Hose to the “ON” position which is parallel with the hose, this will pressurize the system. With the system pressurized listen for leaks (a HISSING Sound). The other way to check for leaks is to close the tank valve on the CO2 and see if the pressure drops on the regulator gauges.
Now you will need to connect the “Coupler” to the keg. Line up the two notches on the keg with the two indentations on the bottom of the Coupler. Then, push down, and rotate the tap clockwise a half a turn or until Snug. Then Pull the “Lever” on the “Coupler” out away from the Coupler and down to engage. The “Lever” should lock into place. This will open the beer line and CO2 ports in the keg. The keg is now tapped!