Cicerone Certified Beer Server Practice Exam

For how long can a keg be stored in a cooler?

1. 1 week

2. 1 month

3. 1 day

4. 3 days

The correct answer is: 1 day

The correct answer indicates that a keg can generally be stored in a cooler for a very short period, specifically one day. This suggests that the focus is primarily on kegs that are either already tapped or under pressure. Kegs, especially those containing beer that has been carbonated, can begin to lose their desirable qualities quite rapidly after being tapped due to exposure to oxygen and temperature changes. In the case of an untapped keg, it can generally last longer in terms of quality if kept at the appropriate temperature and pressure, so the notion that a keg can only be stored for one day in a cooler suggests a misunderstanding of storage capabilities. However, for tapped kegs, particularly those exposed to air or not serving immediately, a day is a prudent time frame to avoid flavor degradation and freshness loss. Under ideal circumstances, kegs should be consumed more quickly once opened to maintain maximum freshness and prevent spoilage. Understanding the varying factors that affect beer's freshness post-tapping is crucial, such as oxidation and carbonation levels, which help clarify this relatively short storage recommendation.