Do NA Kegs Work With My Existing Beer Tap System?
If your system uses standard Sankey D couplers and pours beer or cold brew, it can almost certainly pour NA kegs. Here's how to confirm.
If your system uses standard Sankey D couplers and pours beer or cold brew, it can almost certainly pour NA kegs with zero modifications.
This is the most common question we get, and the answer is almost always yes. Here's how to confirm compatibility and what to do if your setup is slightly different.
The Compatibility Checklist
If you can check all four of these, you're ready:
- Sankey D coupler - The standard U.S. beer coupler (the most common type by far)
- CO₂ or nitrogen gas - Standard gas systems work perfectly
- Draft cooler or kegerator - Can hold 1/6 barrel kegs (23⅜" tall × 9¼" diameter)
- Standard beer faucet - Any standard draft faucet works
If you pour American beer or cold brew from kegs, you have all of this already.
Coupler Types: Quick Guide
| Coupler Type | Used For | Works with PourZero? |
|---|---|---|
| Sankey D | Most American beers, cold brew | ✅ Yes - standard |
| Sankey S | European beers | ❌ No - different fitting |
| Cornelius (Ball Lock) | Homebrew, some cafes | ✅ Yes - with adapter |
| Sankey A | Some German beers | ❌ No |
If you have Cornelius (corny) ball lock kegs, we can include a Sankey to Ball Lock Keg Coupler Adapter with your order. Just let us know when you request pricing.
Gas Requirements
Different NA products work best with different gas setups:
| Product Type | Recommended Gas | Pressure |
|---|---|---|
| Hop water | CO₂ | 10-14 PSI |
| Sparkling tea | CO₂ | 10-14 PSI |
| Nitro cold brew | Nitrogen or beer gas (75/25 N₂/CO₂) | 30-40 PSI |
| Mocktails | CO₂ | 10-14 PSI |
| Still beverages | Beer gas or low CO₂ | 5-8 PSI |
We'll include recommended gas and pressure settings with your first order based on what you're pouring.
Temperature
Keep kegs at 36-40°F (2-4°C) - the same temperature range as draft beer. If your cooler is set for beer, it's already set for NA kegs.
Line Cleaning
Clean your NA keg lines on the same schedule as your beer lines (every 2 weeks is best practice). NA beverages can build residue just like beer, especially sugary or tea-based products.
Common Scenarios
"I run a 4-tap beer system and want to add one NA line"
Solution: Swap your lowest-performing beer line for an NA keg. Same coupler, same gas, same cooler. Done.
"I only pour cold brew on nitrogen"
Solution: You can pour nitro NA kegs on the same system. For CO₂-based NA kegs, add a secondary CO₂ regulator (~$40).
"I'm building a new draft system from scratch"
Solution: Specify Sankey D couplers and a dual-gas setup (CO₂ + nitrogen) for maximum flexibility. We can help spec it out.
"I have no draft system but want to start"
Solution: A single-tap kegerator (like an EdgeStar or Kegco) starts at $200-400 and is everything you need to get going.
Not Sure? Send Us a Photo
If you're not sure what coupler you have or whether your system is compatible:
1. Take a photo of your keg coupler (the piece that connects to the keg)
2. Take a photo of your cooler/kegerator interior
3. Email both to us with a note about what you currently pour
We'll confirm compatibility within 24 hours - before you place your first order.
If you want help confirming your setup and picking kegs, Get Keg Pricing & Availability and we'll review your system before your first order.
