Faucet Identification Standard
Version: 1.0 · Publication Date: 2025-01-01 · Status: Active
© 2025 DraftVerify™ Standards Initiative. All rights reserved.
Faucet identification is the consumer-facing layer of the DraftVerify ecosystem.
It ensures that the beverage being poured matches the beverage being advertised — a critical requirement for non-alcoholic (NA) products where mis-serve carries safety, legal, and reputational risks.
This Standard defines the visual and optional digital identification required at the point of pour.
1. Purpose
The Faucet Identification Standard:
- provides unambiguous product identity at the faucet
- prevents NA/alcoholic confusion
- enhances consumer trust and brand accuracy
- allows staff to easily confirm what is on tap
- supports DraftVerify’s full keg → tap verification chain
Faucet identity reinforces what the consumer sees, what the operator serves, and what the registry verifies.
2. Scope
This Standard applies to all draft faucets serving:
- non-alcoholic (mandatory)
- alcoholic (optional but recommended)
- rotational / seasonal products
- multi-venue or high-volume programs
Includes:
- faucet-side identifiers
- optional digital tap markers
- placement rules
- color systems
- identity hierarchy
3. Components of Faucet Identification
3.1 Faucet Collar Marker (Primary Identifier)
A small, durable marker placed around or adjacent to the faucet.
Must include:
- product name
- category color (gold for NA)
- optional style text
This is the primary point-of-pour identifier.
3.2 Digital Faucet Marker (Optional)
Venues may use digital displays, LCD tap heads, or POS-linked screens.
Recommended display information:
- brewery
- product name
- category
- ABV or “0.0%” for NA
3.3 Tower Marker (Optional)
Larger signage placed on:
- tower faceplate
- tap bank
- menu board above draft lines
Not required for compliance.
4. Placement Requirements
4.1 Faucet Collar Placement
The collar or marker must be:
- on the faucet neck, tap handle base, or adjacent collar
- visible from the pouring position
- readable by consumers at typical bar distance
- durable under moisture and cleaning
4.2 Digital Marker Placement (If Used)
Digital screens must be:
- positioned near the faucet
- visible to staff and consumers
- updated automatically when product switches
4.3 Tower Marker Placement (Optional)
Recommended for:
- stadiums
- busy bars
- multi-handle towers
5. Identification Hierarchy
Faucet identity follows the DraftVerify hierarchy:
- Primary Identifier: Faucet Marker
- Verification Point: Coupler Tag (NFC)
- Service Indicator: Line Tag
- Keg-Origin Identity: Keg Collar
This ensures identity is preserved from keg → coupler → line → faucet.
6. Category Color System
| Category | Color | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Alcoholic (NA) | Gold | Mandatory |
| Alcoholic | Blue | Recommended |
| Seasonal / Rotational | Teal | Optional |
| House / Staff Lines | Grey | Optional |
Gold must always represent NA at the faucet.
7. Rationale for Faucet Identification
Faucet identity is critical because:
- it is the last point before the product reaches the glass
- consumers visually confirm what they ordered
- new staff heavily rely on faucet markers
- misidentification at the faucet leads to mis-serve
- NA consumers expect absolute clarity
A single mis-serve at the faucet can cause:
- safety incidents
- customer complaints
- social media backlash
- lost contracts
- regulatory attention
Faucet identity is therefore a mandatory component of NA draft safety.
8. Compliance Requirements
A venue is F-9 compliant when:
- each faucet has a clear, durable faucet marker
- NA faucets use gold category coloration
- faucet markers match Line Tags and Coupler Tags
- operators update markers when switching products
- markers remain visible and intact
Optional digital displays enhance compliance but do not replace physical identity.
9. Responsibilities
Breweries
- supply accurate product names
- approve category color usage
- provide template faucet markers
Distributors
- ensure correct faucet markers accompany deliveries
- replace lost or damaged markers
Venues
- place faucet markers correctly
- update markers immediately upon keg change
- use DraftVerify verification steps before tapping
10. Summary
The Faucet Identification Standard establishes the final visual checkpoint of the DraftVerify identity chain.
By standardizing faucet markers, DraftVerify:
- prevents NA/alcoholic mis-serve
- strengthens consumer trust
- improves staff accuracy
- creates a consistent national identity system
- connects the full keg → tap verification loop
Clear at the keg.
Verified at the coupler.
Mapped at the line.
Correct at the faucet.