Smart Kegs
How KegSpeed works for breweries and distributors
The KegSpeed keg tracker is an active radio module powered by a battery that lasts eight years. The signal produced by a KegSpeed tracker is detected by normal, everyday mobile devices, in any country around the world. Each mobile device uses its GPS and bluetooth radios to detect and communicate with KegSpeed trackers.
Whenever a mobile device with a KegSpeed application is within range of a keg with a KegSpeed tracker, the GPS coordinates of the mobile device is used to locate the keg. A mobile device can detect kegs nearby up to a range of approximately 30 meters / 100 feet. Any kegs within range of the mobile device are located, irrespective of their owner.
Each mobile device automatically and in the background tracks all kegs that come within range of it. The security and reporting functions of KegSpeed ensure that in the foreground, the owner of the mobile device only sees kegs they have permission to see. Any person around the world can install a KegSpeed app and track kegs near them – a sales person; delivery driver; distributor; line cleaner; etc. As kegs move throughout the marketplace, and come in contact with mobile devices having a KegSpeed compatible app installed, every keg is located and tracked.
KegSpeed Application
Dive a little deeper into the keg tracker
The KegSpeed application not only detects the presence of nearby trackers, but also measures the distance to each keg tracker. Using this distance, KegSpeed is able to continuously improve its location measurement. As a mobile device moves in relationship to a tracker, getting nearer to or farther from it, KegSpeed automatically improves the determination of the kegs position. This is how KegSpeed is able to distinguish between on-premise retail locations that are within close range of each other. Also, it is not necessary for the mobile device to have an active internet connection at the time of detection, making it possible to locate kegs inside metal cold rooms and buildings.
The KegSpeed app runs automatically and in the background on a mobile device – it is not necessary for a user to interact directly with the application. Once installed, the software in the app continues to operate in the background as necessary to communicate with the KegSpeed system, without requiring any user input.
Each KegSpeed tracker has a battery that lasts eight years without requiring any maintenance.
Because the KegSpeed tracker is an active radio module, it works well from inside stacks of metal kegs. Unlike RFID, which degrades rapidly when kegs are palletized and stacked, the KegSpeed system continues to operate even when kegs are stacked.
KegSpeed Tracker
The tracker itself
The KegSpeed tracker is lightweight and is applied with industrial 3M VHB adhesive tape. The adhesive is waterproof and resilient to the chemicals used during keg sanitation. The trackers can be applied by hand when the metal of the keg is clean, room temperature, and dry. The adhesive provides a strong bond that prevents the tracker from being removed using fingers (although with enough leverage using a prying tool it is possible to get the tracker to come off ). The tape is resilient in all the temperatures a keg might find itself– from below freezing to the indirect heat of sterilization.
Each tracker is placed on the chime of the keg, not directly contacting the keg body but centered between the top of the keg body and the underside of the rolled rim of the chine. Because the tracker is on the chime, under the rolled rim, it is physically protected from being hit, and is also protected from the full heat of sterilization that happens to the keg body.
Every tracker has a unique serial number which identifies it to the KegSpeed system. In addition, a visible identification number is printed on the front of the tracker so that kegs can be identified by sight.
KegSpeed SYSTEM
What's left to do?
The only manual interaction needed with the KegSpeed system is to record when kegs are filled – the date and product of fill. This can be done using the KegSpeed mobile application and the keg tracker or QR code. Depending on the configuration of the brewery filling area, distance from the mobile device can be used to distinguish all kegs, for example, just filled and put on a pallet.
Once a keg is updated with the date and product of fill, the KegSpeed system keeps track of the location of the keg and the age of the product within it automatically, wirelessly, and without requiring any manual interaction or scanning.
Your Kegs
Kegs Have Legs
Your kegs are meant to move. The faster they move, the more sales you’ll make, and the fewer you’ll need.
Check out our ROI Calculator for more information.
Sales & Marketing
Freshness is an important quality to draft beer consumers. Using KegSpeed, you will be able to report exactly how old each product is at each retail location. Marketing freshness is a powerful tool for draft sales.
You can also run campaigns to connect more deeply with your consumer – for example, having consumers “sponsor a keg” and track which on-premise outlets it visits as it is filled and emptied.
KegSpeed allows you to see in real-time where your kegs are, and how long they have been there. Sales and delivery are able to prioritize visits based upon the history and status of kegs at each account.
Production
In an average keg turn time of 90 days, only 10 days or less could be spent selling the product in the keg. KegSpeed allows you to find the inefficiencies in your particular distribution network, lowering the cost of your cooperage.
Studies have shown that on average, 4%-5% of kegs go missing every year. With KegSpeed you will be able to determine where in the distribution network your kegs are being lost. This allows you to work with your distribution partner or retail outlet to prevent such loss.
Knowing where your full and empty kegs are allows you to plan more efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does keg tracking improve suppy chain efficiency and customer experience for breweries and distributors?
Efficient keg management goes far beyond just keeping tabs on inventory—it’s about making your whole operation run smoother, faster, and with fewer headaches. With real-time insights from KegSpeed, you’re able to spot bottlenecks and pinpoint exactly where slowdowns or losses are happening, whether it’s a missing keg in transit or a pallet stalled at a distributor.
With this new level of visibility:
- You’ll quickly identify where kegs are spending too much time—at a warehouse, in transport, or at a retail account—so you can target follow-ups and recover unused assets before they disappear.
- Adjust distribution routes on the fly to streamline deliveries, reduce unnecessary mileage, and minimize turnaround time.
- Boost your relationships with distributors, bars, and restaurants by meeting delivery schedules and ensuring fresh product—no more guessing how old that stout on tap really is.
Ultimately, keeping your finger on the pulse of each keg helps you reduce losses, improve turnover, and deliver a better draft experience to everyone along your supply chain.
What information is available through historical records and reporting features of keg tracking software?
Stay on top of your operation with flexible reporting features designed to simplify your workflow. Access detailed historical records that track every movement, fill, and return—whenever you need them. Reports can be scheduled to arrive daily, weekly, or monthly, and are automatically generated for your convenience.
Need to review a specific transaction or keg history for compliance, traceability, or audit purposes? All records are easily accessible and exportable, giving you the power to analyze trends, spot recurring bottlenecks, and share data with your team (or accountant) at the press of a button. Whether you’re preparing for your next inventory check or just curious about how many kegs made their way to Kansas City this quarter, all that information is just a click away.
How can keg tracking systems reduce maintenance costs and extend the lifetime of kegs and containers?
Modern keg tracking systems do more than just show you where your kegs are—they help keep them in peak condition and out of the repair shop. With each movement and transaction logged automatically and in real time, you gain clear visibility into how long each keg, cask, or container has been in circulation and where it’s traveled.
This granular data enables:
- Smarter Maintenance Planning: By closely monitoring each keg’s journey, you know exactly when it’s due for routine inspection, cleaning, or repairs—no more guesswork or unnecessary checks.
- Predictive Scheduling: Instead of reacting to problems after they occur, you can anticipate wear and tear and service kegs before an issue sidelines them, reducing expensive surprises.
- Resource Optimization: Avoid over-ordering new containers or scrambling to replace lost ones. Real-time insights help you make timely decisions about replacements, extend asset life, and keep costs down.
- Reduced Human Error: Automatic tracking ensures key details aren’t missed, which means fewer maintenance gaps, better compliance with quality standards, and higher confidence in the fleet’s health.
Over time, these improvements add up: fewer breakdowns, longer-lasting inventory, more predictable budgeting, and a better bottom line.
What kind of real-time alerts, error notifications, and reports can the system provide?
Stay in the loop, effortlessly
With the KegSpeed system, you’re never left wondering where your kegs are—or what’s happening to them. The moment something needs your attention, you’ll receive real-time alerts straight to your device, whether it’s a change in status, unusual movement, or a system error. Visual dashboards update instantly, giving you a snapshot of all your keg tags, sensor readings, and current states. If there’s an issue, such as a keg going missing or an error being detected, the system proactively notifies you so you’re always ahead of the game.
For reporting, flexibility is built in: you can schedule daily, weekly, or monthly reports to track inventory, movements, and keg histories across your operation. Historical records are always at your fingertips—searchable, exportable, and ready to share with your team or partners.
Everything happens automatically in the background, so you can focus on brewing and selling, instead of babysitting a spreadsheet.
How does a keg management dashboard work and what information does it provide?
Think of your keg management dashboard as mission control for your fleet of kegs. Accessible from any smart device—whether you’re in the brewhouse, on the road, or catching a rare five minutes of fresh air—it automatically collects every ounce of keg data and organizes it in a tidy, visual format. With no need to thumb through paperwork or track down stray spreadsheets, you’ll always know the status of your kegs at a glance.
Here’s what you can expect:
Instant Updates and Alerts
- View the real-time location and status of every keg—on premise, in transit, or back at the brewery.
- Instant notifications deliver critical updates, like when a keg is dropped at a new account, goes missing, or encounters an issue. That peace of mind? It’s baked in.
Intuitive Visualizations
- Color-coded graphics summarize key stats so you can spot patterns right away—like which products move fastest or where kegs might be aging past their prime.
- See at a glance which kegs are ready for pickup or need attention.
Effortless Reporting
- Daily, weekly, or monthly reports are automatically generated and dispatched, customized to your preferences.
- Need a historic record for audit or procurement? Your complete keg history is always available and simple to export as a spreadsheet or PDF.
Two-Way Communication and Error Tracking
- The dashboard doesn’t just watch and report—it can communicate with your keg trackers, enabling on-the-fly updates or troubleshooting.
- Real-time error notifications flag issues as they occur, so you can address hiccups before they become headaches.
With your keg management dashboard, every keg’s story—from fill to final pour—is at your fingertips, making smarter, faster decisions effortless.