Keywords
Draught, Keg, Valve, Spear, Defects, Filling
Description
This lecture intends to give you a clear understanding of the construction and specifications of modern single valve kegs. The content expert also describes standard kegs, and couplers found throughout the industry. Finally the operations of inspecting, washing, and filling are detailed not only for large automated systems, but also for smaller craft brewery setup (manual filling).
Learning Objectives
- Explain how a SVK operates
- Discuss the various types and sizes of SVK available
- Discuss the internal pressure specifications and safety features on SVK
- Explain the function of caustic, acid, and steam cleaning cycles during keg washing
- Explain why high flow and low flow conditions are both required to internally clean a SVK
- Explain two different methods of filling a keg, and the advantages/disadvantages of both
- Discuss typical keg and spear defects, and the dangers of keg misuse
- Discuss the use of keg caps and collars
Lecture developed by
Tom Rutledge
Tom started his career in plant operations at Labatt Breweries, where he trained for several years in brewing, packaging, maintenance and quality. He moved to Labatt’s Engineering department as a project manager, and then specialized in product development as a Packaging Development Engineer.
Tom has worked for many years with material suppliers and packaging equipment manufacturers to develop new packages and improve the quality of the existing ones. He holds several patents on packaging and packaging equipment, and even has one in brewing.
Tom was one of the original 4 industry committee members that established the bottle design and technical agreement for the Canadian beer industry standard mold bottle. Tom chaired the technical committee that governed this agreement for many years, and he still helps audit new suppliers of the bottle.
With InterBrew Tom became the Global Technical Services Coordinator for packaging, and then became the North American Manager of Packaging, Cooling & Dispense Equipment Development for InBev. Tom is now retired but consults part time within the exciting world of beer packaging.
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