| Quick Answer To tap a keg with the Kegr: (1) Chill the keg to 36 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 24 hours. (2) Remove the dust cap on the keg valve. (3) Align the Kegr coupler with the keg valve, push down, and turn clockwise until it locks. (4) Power the Kegr on. (5) Wait 30 seconds, then pour. No pumping required. The tap maintains air pressure automatically throughout your event. |
Tapping a keg is simpler than most people expect. The steps below cover how to tap a keg using an electronic keg tap, which handles pressure maintenance automatically so you can focus on the party rather than the equipment.
What You Need Before You Start
- A standard Sankey D coupler keg (covers most domestic and imported beers sold in the US)
- A fully charged Kegr electronic tap
- A keg tub or cold storage to keep the keg at 36 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit
- Enough ice to surround the keg if using a tub
| Chill Your Keg First A warm keg will foam excessively no matter what tap you use. Refrigerate the keg for at least 24 hours, or pack it in a full ice bath for a minimum of 4 to 6 hours before tapping. The ideal serving temperature for most beers is 36 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. |
How to Tap a Keg With the Kegr: Step-by-Step
- Let the keg rest. If the keg was recently transported, let it sit upright and still for at least 1 hour before tapping. Movement agitates the beer and causes excess foam on the first few pours.
- Remove the dust cap. There is a small plastic cap covering the keg valve on top of the keg. Remove and discard it.
- Check the Kegr charge. Make sure the Kegr is fully charged before attaching it to the keg.
- Align the coupler. Hold the Kegr over the keg valve and align the two tabs on the coupler with the slots on the keg valve. They only fit in one orientation.
- Lock the tap in place. Push the coupler down firmly while turning it clockwise approximately 90 degrees until it locks. You will feel it seat and click into position.
- Power on the Kegr. Press the power button. The tap will automatically begin monitoring and maintaining keg pressure. Wait about 30 seconds before the first pour.
- Pour your first beer. Hold your glass at a 45-degree angle under the spout, open the tap handle fully, and pour. As the glass fills, gradually tilt it upright to build a proper head. Stop when the glass is about 80 percent full, let foam settle, then top off.
How the Kegr Is Different From a Manual Hand Pump
A traditional hand pump requires you to manually pump air into the keg before and during use to build enough pressure to push beer out. If you forget to pump or the pressure drops, pours become slow and foamy. If you over-pump, you get excessive foam.
The Kegr automates this entirely. Its battery-powered internal pump monitors keg pressure and replenishes it automatically as beer is dispensed. You never have to pump between pours, pressure stays consistent throughout the event, and the companion app lets you monitor keg status and pressure from your phone via Bluetooth.
Both the Kegr and a manual hand pump use air rather than CO2, so beer should be finished the same day you tap the keg. Plan your quantities accordingly.
| Plan for same-day consumption. Like any air-pump keg tap, the Kegr introduces air into the keg as beer is dispensed. Beer is best finished the same day you tap it. If you are not sure how much your crowd will drink, a smaller keg is better than a larger one you cannot finish. |
Troubleshooting: Too Much Foam
Excessive foam after tapping is almost always a temperature or settling issue, not a pressure issue:
- The keg was not cold enough. Pack more ice around it and wait 30 minutes before pouring again.
- The keg was recently jostled or transported. Let it rest upright for at least an hour.
- You are pouring too fast or straight down into the glass. Pour at a 45-degree angle and let it run down the side of the glass.
How to Detach the Kegr After Your Event
To remove the Kegr, turn the coupler counterclockwise and lift. The keg valve will seal again once the tap is removed. If there is beer left, keep the keg cold and plan to finish it as soon as possible given that air has already entered the keg.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to tap a keg with the Kegr?
The entire process takes under 5 minutes. The Kegr attaches to the keg valve with a quarter-turn lock, and the first pour is ready within 30 seconds of powering it on.
Do you need CO2 to use the Kegr?
No. The Kegr uses a battery-powered internal pump to maintain air pressure in the keg automatically. No CO2 tank, regulator, or gas lines are required.
What keg types work with the Kegr?
The Kegr is compatible with any standard Sankey D coupler keg, covering most domestic and imported beers sold in the United States.
How long will a keg stay fresh after tapping with the Kegr?
Like any air-pump keg tap, the Kegr uses air to maintain keg pressure, which means oxygen enters the keg as beer is dispensed. Plan to finish the keg the same day you tap it for the best beer quality.
What temperature should a keg be before tapping?
Most beers are best served between 36 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Chill the keg for at least 24 hours in a refrigerator or 4 to 6 hours in a full ice bath before tapping.