Kudos to micsager for being sensitive to the issue of keg ethics. The Brewers Association estimates that lost and stolen kegs cost craft brewers between $15 million and $20 million annually.
A deposit paid on a keg does not constitute ownership. Brewers rarely sell kegs. When you see a keg for sale on EBay or Craig’s List, chances are the seller does not have clear title.
Many states have laws prohibiting the scrapping of kegs. Others require clear title presented by the owner named on the keg. The California legislature has taken the extra step to make it illegal for any person to obliterate, mutilate or mark out the manufacturers name on a metal keg without the written consent of the manufacturer, providing a template for similar legislative action in other states.
Safety is also an issue. The Brewers Association has documented injuries to both brewers and distributors that have occurred because of “tampering”. A keg valve should never be removed from a keg without the proper tools and training. Whenever a keg valve is removed, the only safe way to reinstall the valve is to use a new lock ring. Several severe injuries have recently been attributed to “keg tampering” by untrained individuals using tools not designed for purpose.
www.Kegreturn.com is a resource that facilitates the return of kegs to your favorite craft brewer. You can learn more about the problem of keg losses as well as the ins and outs of keg etiquette.
Keep brewing great beer!
Chuck Skypeck
Technical Brewing Projects Coordinator
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