A Bartenders Guide To Changing Beer Kegs

Q. Why is this lesson important?

A. You’re going to change a lot of beer kegs. In most bars. It’s very simple, but as a new bartender you have probably never done this before. I’ll give you some pointers.

Q. Will the interviewer ask me anything about changing beer kegs?

A. Maybe. Most likely, they will simply ask you if you have ever done it. I’ll show you how to answer this question in the affirmative.

There is no video for this lesson. Honestly, there is a ton of videos out there on YouTube and elsewhere showing how to change a keg.

This is a very short, simple lesson. I want you to do two things:

1. Go online and search for “how to change a beer keg.”

There’s some decent videos on this. Of course, it’s no substitute for the “real thing” but it will certainly show you the basics.

2. Hit some bars, and ask the bartender if you can watch him change a keg.

Then, offer to change them for the bartenders when you’re visiting the bar. It’s that simple. Most will happily show you how – if they’re not busy. I certainly did. You probably already frequent some bars where you know the bartenders. If not – start doing it!

Yes, I know. Isn’t that a liability for the bar? Probably. You’ll find that there’s a whole lot of stuff going on in bars that probably shouldn’t.

Changing a keg just one time is all you really need to do – it’s not rocket science.

Below is a very hi-tech bar beer keg system. The graphics below are from https://www.micromatic.com/products/draft-beer-systems

You probably won’t run across a system this complicated. Most bars will have a simple keg cooler along with kegs of beer and CO2 to push the beer through the lines. Simple. Either way, the below diagram will give you an idea of how it works.

1. Keg Storage Cooler – 38 degrees is perfect. (Usually very close to the front bar)
2. Gas Blender – High tech – most bars have a simple CO2 container.
3. Secondary Regulator Panel – manages pressure settings
4. Stainless Steel Contact – Most all keg coolers are stainless steel
5. Profit Maximizer – cuts down on foam loss
6. Power Pack – maintains temperature of everything
7. Trunkline – maintains beer cooling
8. Beer Faucets – has cold blocks for maximum cooling
9. Drainage – and glass washing
10. Cleaning and Maintenance Stuff – Beer vendors will probably do this for free

You really don’t need to know any of the above. You know where the beer cooler is. Just be sure to turn off the CO2, lift up on the black handle (shown below) on the top of the keg, give it a quarter or half turn and remove. Roll in a new keg and reverse the process. Simple! Oh, and grab a bar towel on your way to the beer cooler and place it over that black connector when you turn. You don’t want to get doused!