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DraftVerify Standards Library · F-11

Brewery Implementation Guide

Version: 1.0 · Publication Date: 2025-01-01 · Status: Active
© 2025 DraftVerify™ Standards Initiative. All rights reserved.

This guide provides breweries with the complete operational workflow required to adopt and maintain the DraftVerify Standard for non-alcoholic (NA) draft service.

It outlines:

  • materials supplied by DraftVerify
  • tagging and identification steps
  • production floor workflows
  • record-keeping requirements
  • distributor and venue expectations
  • compliance and verification rules

This guide is intended for brewery production teams, packaging managers, QA personnel, and compliance officers.

1. Purpose

The Brewery Implementation Guide ensures:

  • NA kegs are properly tagged
  • product identity is preserved from packaging → tap
  • all physical and digital DraftVerify rules are followed
  • distributors and venues receive consistent materials
  • NA draft risk is mitigated at the point of origin

Breweries serve as the first link in the DraftVerify identity chain.

2. Scope

This guide applies to:

  • any brewery producing NA draft
  • contract brewers producing NA SKUs
  • breweries distributing NA kegs to external venues
  • breweries operating taprooms or satellite locations

It defines workflows for:

  • keg collar use
  • coupler tagging
  • line tag preparation
  • registry activation (if provider-enabled)
  • quality and compliance checks

3. Materials Provided by DraftVerify

DraftVerify provides:

3.1 NA Keg Collars

Pre-printed collars including:

  • NA Gold category band
  • brewery + product name
  • mandatory NA text
  • DraftVerify-compliant layout

3.2 Coupler Tags (NFC Enabled)

Each tag includes:

  • product-specific programming (v1.0)
  • cryptographically unique ID
  • NA banding
  • permanent adhesive or ring mount

3.3 Alternate Placement Aids

(Optional, based on brewery order)

  • NA sidewall bands
  • secondary stickers
  • cold-room shelf dividers

3.4 Documentation Package

Including:

  • F-6 Keg Identification Standard
  • F-7 Coupler Tag Standard
  • F-8 Line Identification Standard
  • F-12 Programming SOP (when applicable)
  • F-13 Activation Workflow

4. Brewery Workflow Overview

The full brewery workflow consists of:

  1. Receiving materials
  2. Staging kegs for packaging
  3. Applying NA keg collars
  4. Applying coupler tags
  5. Optional sidewall ID
  6. Recording tag usage (automated or manual)
  7. Preparing distributor-ready line tags
  8. Final QA check

Each step must be followed to ensure DraftVerify compliance.

5. Packaging Line Procedures

5.1 Pre-Run Setup

Before beginning an NA packaging run:

  • verify the correct collars are present
  • verify the correct coupler tags are on hand
  • confirm all previous alcoholic products have been cleared
  • sanitize filler heads, keg washers, and couplers

5.2 Applying Keg Collars

Keg collars must be:

  • fully seated
  • free of tears or folds
  • placed after filling but before palletizing
  • visible in both upright and stacked orientations

Collars must include the required NA text:

NON-ALCOHOLIC DRAFT
or
0.0% DRAFT (NON-ALCOHOLIC)

5.3 Applying Coupler Tags

The coupler tag must be:

  • applied beside the spear flange
  • within 25 mm of the coupler engagement point
  • unobstructed
  • applied before kegs leave the packaging floor

Each tag’s identity is already preprogrammed.

6. Registry Activation (Optional)

Depending on the brewery program version:

6.1 Full-Service Activation (v1.0 Default)

DraftVerify activates all tags centrally.

Breweries only apply:

  • keg collar
  • coupler tag

6.2 Hybrid Self-Activation (Future)

Breweries may scan and activate during packaging, sending batch data:

  • batch ID
  • fill date
  • volume
  • product assignment

6.3 Full Brewery-Side Programming (Not in v1.0)

Future versions include:

  • mobile programming app
  • desktop encoder
  • automated mapping workflows

7. Line Tag Preparation for Distributors

Breweries must prepare line tags for the distributor or venue.
Each line tag must:

  • match the product name and style
  • use the correct DraftVerify color system
  • include the alphanumeric identity code
  • be placed inside the keg shipment or attached externally

Line tags must be included with every keg, even if the distributor is NA-only.

8. Quality Assurance Requirements

Breweries must check:

  • collars are intact
  • coupler tags are correctly applied
  • NA wording is visible
  • product identity matches SKU
  • packaging lines were flushed/washed correctly
  • tag IDs match the intended product

Any keg failing QA must be:

  1. removed from service
  2. corrected
  3. re-checked

9. Distributor Expectations

Breweries must ensure:

  • distributors understand line tag usage
  • coupler tags must not be removed
  • kegs remain properly labeled
  • NA products are not mixed with alcoholic deliveries (where applicable)

DraftVerify provides distributor-specific training in the D-Series documents.

10. Venue Expectations

Breweries must ensure that venues:

  • receive correct faucet and line tags
  • understand NA identification rules
  • know how to scan Coupler Tags
  • follow the verification workflow

Breweries may provide the F-18 Venue Setup Guide to support this.

11. Compliance Requirements

A brewery is F-11 compliant when:

  • all NA kegs have collars + coupler tags
  • line tags accompany every keg
  • registry rules (if applicable) are followed
  • QA steps are documented
  • distributors receive correct identification materials

12. Summary

The Brewery Implementation Guide ensures DraftVerify begins with a consistent, accurate, and standardized workflow at the point of origin — the brewery.

By following this guide, breweries enable:

  • safer NA draft service
  • stronger brand protection
  • reduced risk for venues
  • smoother distributor operations
  • complete traceability

DraftVerify begins where the product is created — and identity is preserved through every step of the draft system.