Chapter 18

Kegging Beer

Keg Racking Machines

In the brewing industry, kegs are usually filled with beer using a piece of equipment commonly called a racker. Empty kegs are positioned successively at one end of the racker and pass sequentially through a series of stations or heads where different operations are performed on the kegs. There are two basic designs of keg racking machines-rotary and in-line.

Rotary Machines

On rotary machines kegs are handled simultaneously as they move around in a circular motion on a series of stations. Rotary machines are not suitable for frequent changes in keg sizes.

In-Line Machines

With an in-line system (see Figure 18.2), empty kegs are positioned successively at one end of the racker and pass sequentially through a series of stations or heads where different operations are performed on the kegs. Typically, the kegs pass through a plurality of cleaning heads and a steam sterilizing head before they arrive at a filling head where the kegs are filled.

Click on the following topics for more information on kegging beer.

Related Topics on Kegging Beer

• Introduction to Kegging Beer
• Keg Styles
• Beer Racking Machines
• Sterilization of Beer
• Beer Kegging Operations
• References