How do I know what keg coupler I need?
Rachel Hickman
Published Feb 08, 2026
How do I know what keg coupler I need?
To choose the correct coupler for your home use, you must know the brand/style of beer you serve, know where it was brewed and/or the size of keg it is in. This is because there are six different types of keg couplers.
What coupler does Paulaner use?
A-Type Keg Coupler
A-Type Keg Coupler Characteristics and Fit Used on almost all German beers and about half of the Belgian beers, the A-type keg coupler is commonly associated with brands like Ayinger, Bitburger Pilsner, De Dolle, Franziskaner, Hoegaarden, Krombacher, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, Warsteiner, and some others.
What coupler does smithwicks use?
Although known as a Guinness coupler, Guinness is also kegged in “A” system kegs for certain territories. The most common beers that work with this coupler are Guinness, Budweiser, Carlsberg, Smithwicks, Harp, Kilkenny, and Bulmers.
What keg coupler does Fosters use?
Micromatic Sankey Keg Coupler
The Micromatic Sankey Keg Coupler/Connector is usually used with the following Beers/Lagers: Amstel Beer. Fosters.
What keg coupler is Estrella?
Keg Coupler List: Picking the Right Coupler for Your Favorite Beer
| Beer Brand | Coupler Type |
|---|---|
| Einbecker | M |
| Ellicottville | D |
| Erdinger Hefetrub Weisse | S |
| Estrella Damm | S |
Can you disconnect and reconnect a keg?
As long as you aren’t using air purged cask type “kegs” you’ll be fine. Disconnecting a keg from the hook up seals the keg from the outside air, and contains the pressure already applied.
What is a keg coupler and do you need one?
Without the coupler, you would have a difficult time getting the beer out of the keg. The coupler attaches to the valve and the CO2 line, allowing the compressed air into the keg. There are different types of keg couplers that go with different styles of beer; or more specifically, where that beer was kegged at.
What is the difference between the American Sankey and European keg coupler?
The major difference between the American Sankey keg coupler and the European keg coupler is the probes. If you look at the Euro keg coupler, you will see it is skinny and long while the American D-system keg coupler is short and broad.
Why are beer couplers so complicated?
Most couplers were independently designed by beer producers around the world before globalization and transnational corporations were started. Problems started to come up when beer from, let’s say, Germany became easily available and commonly ordered in other parts of the world.
What is the difference between American and German keg valves?
For example, the vast majority of American beer (domestic keg valves) will use the American Sankey “D” System coupler, whereas the “A” coupler will fit most German keg valves.
