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DraftVerify Standards Library · F-6

Keg Identification Standard

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

This Standard defines the mandatory physical identification requirements for all non-alcoholic (NA) draft kegs served under DraftVerify Standard v1.0.

The keg is the origin point of the identity chain.
Accurate, durable, unambiguous identification ensures that NA products remain correctly labeled through brewing, distribution, and venue service.

1. Purpose

This Standard ensures that:

  • NA kegs are clearly distinguishable from alcoholic kegs
  • staff can visually confirm correct identity during changeovers
  • distributors maintain chain-of-custody accuracy
  • venues can trace NA products back to source
  • DraftVerify Registry identities align with physical identifiers

Keg identification is mandatory for DraftVerify compliance.

2. Required Identification Components

Every NA keg must display the following three DraftVerify identifiers:

2.1 Keg Collar (Primary Identifier)

A DraftVerify-approved NA collar that includes:

  • the DraftVerify NA color band (Gold or NA Blue)
  • brewery name
  • product name
  • serialized DraftVerify Tag ID
  • required NA statement (“NON-ALCOHOLIC DRAFT”)

The collar is the primary visual identifier of NA status.

2.2 Serialized Coupler Tag (Mandatory)

Affixed to the keg spear or coupler flange.

Coupler tags must include:

  • DraftVerify NA band
  • NFC-enabled UID or serialized tag ID
  • permanent mapping to the DraftVerify Registry

(Encoding rules defined in F-12 — Brewery NFC Tag Serialization SOP.)

The coupler tag is the digital identity point.

2.3 Optional Sidewall Identification

Used to improve visibility in:

  • stacked coolers
  • high-density storage
  • dark or low-visibility environments

Optional elements include:

  • NA sidewall band
  • printed NA stripe
  • secondary QA label

These enhance operational clarity but are not required for compliance.

3. Visual Requirements

3.1 Color System (Mandatory)

All NA keg identifiers must use either:

  • DraftVerify NA Gold Band, or
  • DraftVerify NA Blue Band (alternate program version)

Colors must meet:

  • high visibility
  • matte, non-reflective finish
  • minimum 25 mm (1 inch) band height

This ensures unmistakable NA identification.

3.2 Typography

All NA keg identifiers must use:

  • bold sans-serif font
  • minimum 9 mm text height
  • uppercase for required NA statements

Typography must remain readable under condensation and low light.

3.3 Required NA Statements

Approved NA text:

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

No other variations are permitted.

4. Placement Requirements

4.1 Keg Collar Placement

The keg collar must be:

  • fully seated and unobstructed
  • visible in both upright and stacked positions
  • intact throughout the keg lifecycle

Torn or obscured collars violate F-6 compliance.

4.2 Coupler Tag Placement

The coupler tag must be attached:

  • directly adjacent to the spear or coupler flange
  • in a tamper-resistant position
  • within 25 mm of the engagement point

This ensures staff verify identity during changeover.

4.3 Optional Sidewall Placement

If used:

  • must be unbroken and horizontal
  • placed in the upper third of the keg
  • oriented for visibility on racks or pallets

5. Durability Requirements

Identification elements must remain intact under:

  • condensation
  • low temperatures
  • abrasion
  • transport vibration
  • stacking pressure
  • common cleaning chemicals

Minimum durability requirement: 120 days under normal cold-chain storage.

DraftVerify may request samples for durability verification.

6. Registry Consistency Requirements

The physical keg ID must match its DraftVerify Registry record, including:

  • tag ID
  • brewery
  • product
  • batch
  • fill date / activation date

If the keg is mislabeled or activation does not match the Registry, the keg must be:

  1. quarantined
  2. corrected
  3. re-verified

Mismatched kegs are not compliant.

7. Non-Compliance Conditions

A keg is considered non-compliant if:

  • keg collar is missing or unreadable
  • coupler tag is missing
  • coupler tag does not match its Registry record
  • NA color band is incorrect
  • typography does not meet minimums
  • identifiers are obstructed
  • tag has not been activated

Non-compliant kegs must not enter NA draft service.

8. Audit Requirements

Audits may include:

  • physical inspection
  • tag activation review
  • registry reconciliation
  • durability testing

Audit failures may result in:

  • corrective actions
  • temporary removal from program
  • product recall or rework
  • reactivation review

This Standard integrates with:

  • F-7 — Coupler Tag Standard
  • F-8 — Line Identification Standard
  • F-12 — Brewery NFC Tag Serialization SOP
  • F-13 — Brewery Activation Workflow
  • F-31 — Audit Log & Traceability Framework
  • F-32 — Certification Policy

All identification rules, visual systems, and placement requirements in this document are the protected intellectual property of:

DraftVerify™ Standards Initiative
© 2025. All rights reserved.

Unauthorized duplication or adaptation in competing standards or programs is prohibited.