NA Draft Safety Standard
The core operational framework for safely storing, handling, identifying, and serving non-alcoholic beverages on draft — aligned with the DraftVerify Standard v1.0.
Why NA Draft Needs Its Own Safety Standard
Non-alcoholic (NA) draft service carries unique risks: misidentification, accidental cross-contact, and inconsistent practices across locations. The NA Draft Safety Standard defines the baseline controls needed so that any venue can safely pour NA products with confidence.
What This Standard Covers
Purpose
To establish the minimum operational requirements that ensure beverages represented as non-alcoholic are dispensed from draft systems free of contamination, cross-contact, or misrepresentation.
Scope
- NA beer ≤ 0.5% ABV (or local equivalent)
- NA cocktails and RTDs served on draft
- Kombucha and nitro NA beverages
- Bars, restaurants, breweries, taprooms, distributors, and mobile setups
Brewing and production processes are outside the scope of this document.
Five Pillars of NA Draft Safety
Separation
NA pathways must remain isolated from alcoholic pathways at all times.
Identification
Every NA connection point must be clearly and durably identified.
Verification
Setups must be confirmed and re-confirmed on a defined schedule.
Traceability
Key events, changes, and checks must be logged and auditable.
Training
Staff must understand how NA systems are set up, verified, and maintained.
What a Compliant NA Draft System Includes
Physical Components
- Dedicated NA keg couplers or clearly designated NA positions
- Lines that are identified and not reused for alcoholic products without re-verification
- Marked faucets at the point of pour for all NA taps
- Gas systems configured to prevent backflow or line migration
DraftVerify Identification Pathway
Every NA line uses the DraftVerify identification pathway: Keg Tag → Line Marker → Faucet Sticker. This creates a single visual language staff can follow in seconds.
Environmental Controls
- NA kegs stored at ≤4 °C where feasible
- Clear rotation and dating practices
- Rinse and cleaning methods free of ethanol residues
How and When Systems Are Verified
Verification is the process of confirming that the tagged keg, the identified line, and the marked faucet all align and comply with the DraftVerify Standard.
Initial Verification
- Performed when a new NA line is installed or converted
- Includes inspection of identification, routing, gas configuration, and cold storage
- Results recorded in the DraftVerify platform
Routine Verification
- Recommended at least once per service day or per shift
- Quick checks that the identification pathway is intact and routing is correct
- Logged digitally with timestamp and staff identifier
Annual Renewal
- Full reassessment of identification, separation controls, and documentation
- Tag registry updated if hardware, layout, or product assignments change
Digital Records That Back the Standard
The DraftVerify platform acts as the operational ledger for NA draft systems.
Required Records
- Verification logs: date, time, staff, and line status
- Change logs: hardware adjustments, new lines, rerouting
- Cleaning logs: frequency, method, and responsible team members
- Identification plan: how NA lines are identified on-site
- Training records: who has completed NA draft training and when
These records provide traceability in the event of guest questions, audits, or incident reviews.
What Happens When Something Goes Wrong
If contamination or misidentification is suspected, the response must be structured and documented.
- Pause service from the affected faucet(s).
- Isolate and label the impacted line and keg.
- Document the incident in the DraftVerify platform.
- Clean, flush, and re-sanitize the line.
- Perform verification and, where used, optional ethanol testing.
- Rebuild the identification pathway and re-verify before returning to service.
During investigation, use of the “DraftVerify Certified” mark for that line is considered temporarily suspended.
Who Owns Safety in NA Draft?
Operators
Implement the standard, maintain identification, ensure verification cycles are followed, and keep records up to date.
Staff
Follow the identification pathway, complete training, log verifications, and report any irregularities immediately.
Breweries & Groups
Require compliant handling of their NA products and review verification data across locations as part of quality programs.
Standard Maintenance
The NA Draft Safety Standard is reviewed and updated periodically as best practices, technical guidance, and regulatory expectations evolve. For questions, feedback, or suggested amendments, contact standards@draftverify.com.