Every once in a while, you may end up with a keg that is full of delicious beer, and no way to tap it because the tap is broken. Before you give up on the tailgate party and go home, there is another option for tapping the keg. You still may be able to enjoy the contents of your keg rather than just sitting around looking at it and drooling.
Step 1
Find the pressure ball valve in the center of the tap fixture on top of the key.
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Step 2
Turn the keg over and push in on the ball with the screwdriver to release the pressure in the key. Air and beer will be released when you do this, but more air than beer. Once the air is no longer coming out of the ball valve, turn the keg right side up.
Step 3
Push your screwdriver back into the ball valve and release any remaining pressure. This time it will be nearly all air and only a fine mist of beer.
Step 4
Look directly into the tap fixture on top. To the sides you will see a snap retaining ring. Pry up onto the ring with the screwdriver. When it becomes slightly dislodged, use your screwdriver to begin peeling it out from the sides.
Step 5
Push on the pressure relief ball and release any remaining pressure once the snap ring is removed.
Step 6
Notice two lugs protruding from each side inside the tap fixture. Place the flat of your screwdriver blade on one of these lugs.
Step 7
Use the palm of your hand to tap the back of the screwdriver. Every time you do this, the lug will slightly turn, unscrewing them. At about the half-turn mark, the two slots will line up with two notches in the tap fixture. This is exactly where you want to be.
Step 8
Pull the fixture out of the keg when everything is lined up. You may have to wiggle it slightly, but it will come out. You can now pour our drinks directly from the keg by tilting it.