DraftVerify Trust Every Pour.
DraftVerify Standards Library · F-8

Beer Line Identification Standard

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

The Line Identification Standard defines how beverage lines must be labeled, verified, and mapped from the keg in the cooler to the faucet on the tower.
This system eliminates mis-taps, prevents NA cross-contamination, and supports DraftVerify’s digital verification layer.

Line identification protects:

  • Product accuracy
  • Consumer safety
  • Brand integrity
  • Operational consistency
  • Distributor accountability

1. Purpose

This Standard establishes a universal method for identifying beverage lines using:

  • Physical line tags
  • Optional tower markers
  • Coupler-side NFC verification
  • A unified map linking keg → coupler → line → faucet

This ensures that the correct product always flows through the correct line.

2. Scope

This Standard applies to:

  • Bars
  • Restaurants
  • Breweries
  • Stadiums and arenas
  • Distributors
  • Multi-venue operations using NA or alcoholic draft

It defines:

  • Line tag specifications
  • Placement rules
  • Optional tower marker usage
  • Category color coding
  • Verification workflows
  • Compliance requirements

3. Components of the Identification System

3.1 Line Tag (Primary Identifier)

A durable physical tag attached near the coupler.
It displays:

  • Product name
  • Category color
  • Optional style text
  • Short alphanumeric identity code (not a URL)

This is the primary visual identifier.

3.2 Coupler Tag (Digital Verification Point)

An NFC-enabled tag on the coupler.
Used to:

  • Confirm product identity
  • Validate NA vs alcoholic
  • Link keg → line in the registry
  • Support verification logs

This is the digital identity point.

3.3 Tower Marker (Optional)

A faucet-side identifier used for:

  • High-volume venues
  • Stadium environments
  • Rotational, seasonal, or large tap banks

Tower markers are recommended but not required.

4. Placement Requirements

4.1 Line Tag Placement

Line tags must be:

  • attached within 30–45 cm (12–18 in.) of the coupler
  • facing outward
  • placed on the product line, not adjacent lines
  • secure yet removable for maintenance
  • clear of sharp bends, moisture traps, or heat sources

4.2 Coupler Tag Placement

The Coupler Tag (F-7 Standard) must be:

  • on or immediately beside the coupler body
  • visible before attachment
  • scannable without obstruction

4.3 Tower Marker Placement (Optional)

May be placed on:

  • faucet collars
  • tower faceplates
  • adjacent tap rail

Not required for compliance.

5. Identification Hierarchy

To ensure clarity, DraftVerify uses the following hierarchy:

  1. Primary Identifier: Line Tag
  2. Digital Verification: Coupler NFC Tag
  3. Service-Side Indicator (Optional): Tower Marker

This ensures consistent identity from end to end.

6. Category Color Coding

Category Color Requirement
Non-Alcoholic (NA) Gold Mandatory
Alcoholic Blue Recommended
Seasonal / Rotational Teal Optional
House / Staff Grey Optional

Gold must always represent NA draft lines.

7. Verification Workflow

Step 1 — Identify

Operator reads the Line Tag.

Step 2 — Verify

Operator scans the Coupler Tag using an NFC-enabled smartphone.

The page displays:

  • brewery
  • product
  • classification (NA highlighted)

Step 3 — Connect

Operator connects the coupler only after verification.

Step 4 — Audit (Automatic)

If enabled, the scan is stored in the DraftVerify Registry.

8. Roles & Responsibilities

Breweries

  • Provide accurate product naming
  • Supply correct category colors
  • Ensure consistency across all materials

Distributors

  • Ensure correct line tags accompany deliveries
  • Maintain tag visibility during transport
  • Report mismatches

Venues

  • Apply line tags correctly
  • Verify identity before tapping
  • Maintain cleanliness and visibility
  • Replace worn or damaged tags

9. Compliance Requirements

A venue is F-8 compliant when:

  • each draft line has a Line Tag
  • all NA lines use the gold category color
  • all NA kegs have Coupler Tags
  • verification occurs before connecting new kegs
  • optional markers (if used) are placed correctly

10. Rationale

Line misidentification causes:

  • wrong product on tap
  • NA contamination
  • brand misrepresentation
  • inconsistent service during staff turnover
  • distributor blame disputes

DraftVerify eliminates these issues by standardizing line identity.

11. Summary

The Line Identification Standard ensures each draft product is clearly and consistently identified from keg to faucet.
Physical identifiers provide clarity.
Digital verification provides certainty.
Together, they form a safe, accountable, modern draft system.