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A keg is a metal container used to hold beer and other alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks, carbonated or not carbonated, generally under pressure. Kegs are characterized by a single (mostly two way) valve in the middle of the top which is used for cleaning, filling and tapping.
(Note: A figal mostly used for soft drinks with two valves on the top is not considered to be a keg in spite of being known as cornelius kegs.)
Formerly a keg was a small barrel made by a cooper used to transport items such as nails.
Homebrewing kegs
Homebrewers often use kegs for aging, filtering, and storing beer. These are seldom the standard kegs used by major brewers to transport draught beer to wholesalers, but instead are reconditioned Cornelius kegs, many of which formerly contained soda.
These kegs are stainless steel cylinders that hold approximately 5 gallons of liquid. The keg is filled with liquid (wort or beer) via a removable hatch on the top, which is then closed and sealed. Carbon dioxide is added to presurize the keg via an inlet port on the top and is facilitated by gently rocking the brew back and forth. Liquid is dispensed via an outlet port attached to a tube that extends to the bottom of the keg. Pin-lock and ball-lock fittings (or posts) are the two types of couplings used on the inlet and outlet ports. Older kegs tend to use pin-lock fittings, while newer kegs tend to use ball-lock fittings, though the fittings themselves are removable, serviceable, and interchangeable parts.
Metrology
A keg is also a standard unit of measure, named for the container above as so often. A full keg is a 31 US gallon barrel, but due to the unavailability of full kegs a half-keg is what most people commonly consider a keg. A keg in most contexts has a volume of 15 US gallons.
A 15.5 US gallon keg is equal to:
- 12.5 Imperial gallons (UK)
- 56.78 litres
- 100 Imperial pints (UK)
- 120 US pints
- 160 12 oz drinks
However, beer kegs can come in many sizes:
| Size (US gal) | Size (litres) | No. of 12 oz drinks | No. of 16 oz drinks | Weight of full keg (lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 20 | 53 | 40 | 55-60 |
| 7.75 | 29 | 82 | 62 | 90 |
| 13.2 | 50 | 140 | 105 | - |
| 15.5 | 58.7 | 164 | 124 | 170 |
See also barrel, firkin, kegger, pony keg.
Tapping a keg
As with any pressurised container, a keg can cause injury, even at normal operating pressure, whether with compressed air or carbon dioxide:
- "The tapping system and pressure regulator both should be equipped with a pressure relief (blow off) device. If you are not familiar with tapping equipment, consult your retailer..." (printed on an Anheuser-Busch's keg cap)
At higher altitudes where there is less atmospheric pressure, CO2 comes out of solution with the liquid beer leaving it flat. However, Dutch scientists have invented a device for "space beer" which releases beer globules consumable with a straw.
How to build a Kegerator
Free detail instuctions can be found at Building a Kegerator
Recent keg laws
On January 17, 2005, Alabama State Senate has approved a law which made the sale of keg beer illegal for personal use. This issue has gone to the Alabama State Legislature, where it awaits a vote. Alabama will become one of the few states with this law.
Games involving Kegs
There are many games that involve kegs, including keg races, keg riding and keg tossing. The later two games do not involve drinking, rather they only utilize an empty keg. To participate in these games, a standard half-keg should be used. Beer kegs have become synonymous with college parties which are sometimes even called "keggers." These parties, however, typically only utilize the beer inside the keg for games such as beer pong and flip cup, and do not use the empty barrel in a competitive way.
People often also participate in "keg stands", in which people are held upside down with the tap in their mouth, and try to consume beer for as long as possible.
References
- Brooks, Michael. "Space Bar". New Scientist, 22 Dec. 2000
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