OnTap Magazine

Sales contact South Africa: Paul van Rooyen, Satioscan (Pty) Ltd., 1089 Kajuit Turn, Allens Nek, Roodepoort 1709, Johannesburg, South Africa Mobile: +27 76257 1622, E-Mail: keg@satioscan.co.za , www.schaefer-container-systems.com Sales contact Headquarter: SCHÄFER Container Systems, Pfannenbergstraße 1, D-57290 Neunkirchen, Tel.: +49 2735 787-481, Fax: +49 2735 787-493, E-Mail: info@schaefer-container-systems.de Marketing contact Headquarter: SCHÄFER Werke GmbH, Julia Niederer, Pfannenbergstraße 1, D-57290 Neunkirchen, Tel.: +49 2735 787-258 , Fax: +49 2735 787-284 , E-Mail: jniederer@schaefer-container-systems.de order to propel the contents out of the KEG. The ideal interplay of spear and KEG geometry in relation to the fitting is also what makes automated cleaning possible. All this results in two major benefits for beverage producers: hygienic cleaning and the capability to fill greater numbers of KEGs. Barrels with bungholes and smaller capacities of 10 to 30 litres have always given the fillers the problem of having to clean and fill such conventional beer barrels of this size by hand through the bunghole. Breweries offering their beers in Party KEGs, however, benefit from automation. The PU-coated KEGs, also nicknamed “Pittermännchen”, hold precisely these volumes of 10 to 30 litres and are similar in design to the traditional beer barrels. Their special feature, however, is the Bavarian bunghole technique, which involves a tap being knocked into the hole and the beer being dispensed by gravity. This means self service and has made Party- KEGs very popular at parties and even on table tops. This is further aided by the willingness of breweries to continue investing in the system. On the German market, for instance, Party-KEGs are frequently used for “Kölsch” in Cologne, “Altbier” in Düsseldorf or for wheat beer in southern Germany. ECO KEG AND SOFT DRINK KEG – MINOR ALTERATION, MAJOR APPLICATIONS OtherKEGtypes,too,havegreatpractical benefits for beverage producers. With the ulterior motive of saving resources and offering a more sustainable product, an up to 36% lighter ECO KEG was developed in the year 2000 by reducing material input. It is available in 20, 30 or 50 litre volumes and also has special DIN standardised coloured top and bottom rings of polypropylene (PP). These rings provide a shock-absorber effect that prevents damage to the KEG and also make it stackable. They also considerably boost branding potential. This not only created a new product family but, due to the weight reduction, logistics benefit, as well: a standard 40-foot container can now take up to 6% more full KEGs on board. Soft drinks required more pressure resistant KEGs with 7 bar operating pressure. This also drives the high-margin pre-mix market at companies like Pepsi or Sinalco, for example. These KEGs are used preferentially by concessionaires in high-end gastronomy to reduce the use of PET bottles and above all post-mix beverages. After all, the aim is to serve drinks pre-mixed by the manufacturers in the same quality. Locally, however, this can fluctuate greatly in post-mix drinks, as they are affected by the quality and taste of drinking water. freshKEG, smartDRAFT, SUDEX STAINLESS STEEL KEG – MOBILITY FOR NICHE MARKETS AND NEW USES FOR CLASSICAL PRODUCTS Adapting the pressure or the propellant gas is also very effective and only appears to be a slight modification at first sight. Increasing pressure enables KEGs to be filled with soft drinks. Using nitrogen as the propellant gas means the contents are not carbonated and so KEGs can be used for still alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages without any problems. Also making a significant contribution to the popularity of KEGs are self-sufficient dispensing systems, like freshKEG and smartDRAFT. Their dual-chamber system (gas/beverage) plus dispensing head add the mobile dimension to the KEG’s appeal, a feature greatly appreciated in beer gardens, at functions or large-scale indoor and outdoor events. The difference between the smartDRAFT and freshKEG systems is simple. smartDRAFT has a one-way beer line, which eliminates the need for dispense head cleaning. freshKEG is available as a backpack version with a specially developed dispensing hose and is frequently deployed in sports stadiums. Both systems can also be operated with nitrogen as the propellant gas for wines and other non- carbonated beverages. As KEG development advances, new possibilities are also opened up for classical products like the SUDEX stainless steel KEG: with its slim-line design, this original KEG type serves the trend towards smaller filling volumes. The emergence of the craft brewing industry and the special brews that go with it, however, have led to this stainless steel Keg not only being available in Europe in Euro and DIN diameters. Standardized 1/6, 1/4 und 1/2 barrel SUDEX KEG types are also being produced for the US market. RECOGNISABLY INDIVIDUAL – KEG BRANDING OPTIONS Ultimately, KEGs have one decisive advantage over conventional barrels, besides their great variety of shapes and sizes. The branding potential they offer makes brand presentation much more individual. In-mould labelling, for example, is used by countless premium breweries and brands like Coca Cola. Depending on the particular models, possible options include in-mould coating, PU colouring, coloured PP top and bottom rings, logo embossing, laser printing intheneckandbasesectionor silk screen printing for logos. This, of course, does not only appeal to the craft brewing industry which has given rise to so many mostly smaller breweries on the back of its recent growth. Among breweries in general, there is a widespread desire to stand apart as a business and a brand and to do this through their KEGs. Its combination of special features have meanwhile made the KEG one of the most popular beverage containers for beers, soft drinks, wines and non- carbonated beverages. So it’s hardly surprising that it’s also a guarantee for success at SCHÄFER Container Systems. The year 2018 not only saw the production of the 25 millionth KEG, but also the 40th anniversary of the PLUS KEG. ontapmag.co.za | Winter 2019 | 61