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DraftVerify Standards Library · F-23

NA Draft Staff Training Manual

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

This manual provides the required training framework for all staff handling non-alcoholic (NA) draft beverages under the DraftVerify Standard.
It ensures that every employee understands:

  • Why NA identity matters
  • How to correctly verify NA draft
  • How to prevent mis-serves
  • How to follow safe and compliant workflows
  • How to document issues and escalate incidents

This manual applies to bartenders, servers, managers, supervisors, and delivery staff.

1. Purpose of This Manual

The goals of the training program are to:

  • Protect NA consumers
  • Prevent alcohol mis-serves
  • Ensure correct keg tapping
  • Maintain identity integrity from keg → coupler → line → faucet
  • Support consistent operating procedures
  • Reduce brand, legal, and safety risks

Training is mandatory for all employees before they may serve or handle draft products.

2. Who Must Complete This Training

2.1 Required Participants

  • Bartenders
  • Barbacks
  • Servers who pour from taps
  • Shift supervisors
  • Venue managers
  • Draft maintenance staff
  • Any employee connecting kegs

2.2 Optional Participants

Recommended for:

  • Hosts
  • Runners
  • Event staff
  • Security (for identity or mis-serve escalation awareness)

3. Core Training Topics

Employees must demonstrate understanding of the following topics.

3.1 Understanding NA Draft & Why It Matters

Non-alcoholic draft carries unique risks because:

  • Consumers expect 0.0% alcohol or ≤0.5%
  • Mis-serving alcoholic beer can cause legal and health issues
  • NA customers include minors, designated drivers, pregnant individuals, and medically restricted guests

Staff must understand:

  • NA draft is NOT the same as alcoholic draft
  • Verification prevents dangerous and costly mistakes

3.2 DraftVerify Identity System Overview

Staff must be familiar with:

Keg Collar

Displays product, color band, and NA markings.

Coupler Tag (NFC)

Zip-tied tag used for digital verification.

Line Tag

Identifies the beverage line in the cooler.

Tower/Faucet ID

Optional, but useful for high-volume venues.

The identity chain must always match:

Keg → Coupler Tag → Line Tag → Faucet

4. Staff Responsibilities

4.1 Before Tapping a Keg

Staff must:

  1. Locate the correct Line Tag
  2. Verify the Coupler Tag using NFC
  3. Confirm the product matches the venue’s menu
  4. Inspect zip tie for tampering
  5. Connect only after verification

4.2 During Service

Staff must:

  • Monitor that taps remain labeled correctly
  • Ensure no one alters line tags
  • Report any product taste anomalies
  • Avoid temporary product substitutions without manager approval

4.3 After Service

Staff must:

  • Disconnect kegs properly
  • Replace empty kegs only with verified ones
  • Log issues or anomalies

5. Daily Verification Routine

Each shift must complete the following:

5.1 Opening Checks

  • Ensure all NA faucets are labeled
  • Confirm NO alcoholic product is on NA lines
  • Perform NFC scan on any newly tapped keg
  • Record verification result (see F-19 checklist)

5.2 Mid-Shift Checks

  • Confirm tap handles or labels have not been moved
  • Monitor kegroom organization
  • Report any suspicious issues

5.3 Closing Checks

  • Confirm tap assignments remain correct
  • Note which kegs are nearing depletion
  • Log any required service or cleaning needs

6. How to Perform a Proper NFC Verification

Step 1 — Unlock phone (no app needed)

Android: Tap with screen on
iPhone: Tap the top of the phone to the tag

Step 2 — Wait for auto-open

A secure DraftVerify page will open.

Step 3 — Confirm the following appear:

  • Brewery name
  • Product identity
  • Style
  • Category (Non-Alcoholic)
  • Tag status (Active)

Step 4 — Compare identity

Ensure the product displayed matches:

  • Menu item
  • Line tag
  • Order request

Step 5 — Only then connect the keg

If anything does not match → STOP and escalate.

7. Mis-Serve Prevention Rules

A mis-serve is ANY instance where alcoholic beer is served when NA was requested.
Staff must follow:

7.1 Zero-Assumption Policy

Never assume a keg is correct just because:

  • It looks familiar
  • A co-worker tapped it
  • The handle “should” match

7.2 Mandatory Verification

If it wasn’t scanned this shift, it must be verified.

7.3 No Cross-Use of Lines

NA lines must remain NA-only.

7.4 Immediate Escalation

If in doubt → do not pour → call manager.

8. Escalation Protocol (When Something Looks Wrong)

Staff must notify a manager immediately if:

  • NFC scan is incorrect
  • Tag appears tampered
  • The keg tastes wrong
  • The line map doesn’t match what’s connected
  • A tag is missing

Manager must:

  • Stop service from the affected faucet
  • Follow F-22 Incident Response Procedure
  • Document the issue

9. Training Assessment

Each staff member must pass:

9.1 Written Assessment (or digital)

Covers:

  • Identity components
  • Verification steps
  • Mis-serve prevention
  • Escalation steps

9.2 Practical Assessment

Employee must:

  • Correctly identify line tags
  • Perform NFC scan
  • Interpret verification results
  • Tap a keg correctly

9.3 Certification

Upon completion, staff are marked as DraftVerify-Trained.

Re-certification required annually or after any major system update.

10. Documentation Requirements

All venues must maintain:

  • Staff training logs
  • Assessment records
  • Certification status per employee

Documents must be available during DraftVerify audits.

11. Summary

The NA Draft Staff Training Manual ensures:

  • Safe and accurate service
  • Protection for vulnerable consumers
  • Prevention of costly mis-serves
  • Consistent draft handling across all staff
  • Compliance with DraftVerify standards

Venues with trained staff create a safer, more reliable NA draft experience.