Stainless vs Brass Tap Shank: What Listings Mean

What the tap shank does

The tap shank is the metal tube that connects the beer line inside the kegerator to the faucet on the outside of the tower. When a listing mentions the shank material, it is telling you one specific component of the dispense system, not the whole tower.

On a kegerator, the tower holds the faucets, and each faucet is attached to a shank. Beer passes through the line, up the shank, and out the faucet. Buyers usually see the faucet and the tower, while the shank sits behind the tower face or inside the tower base.

A listing may state "stainless steel shank" or "brass shank" in the bullet list. That detail tells you the material of the tube that carries the beer from the line to the faucet, and it helps you compare one kegerator to another on a stated component. For a first kegerator, the shank material is one of many details you can read in the best kegerator guide.

What a stainless steel shank listing states

A listing that names a stainless steel shank is stating the material of that tube. Stainless steel is a metal alloy that resists corrosion, so it does not need a protective plating. In a kegerator listing, stainless steel often appears as a selling point for the tower, the faucets, or other surface parts.

When you see "stainless steel shank" in a bullet list, read it as a materials statement. The listing is telling you that the shank is made of stainless steel. It does not tell you the grade of steel, the length of the shank, or the thread size.

For a buyer, a stainless shank listing usually means the component is a neutral metal that does not rely on a coating. If a listing also says "brass" elsewhere, check the bullet list closely to see which part is brass and which is stainless. You can compare single tap models in the best single tap kegerators guide to see how the shank material is listed.

What a brass shank listing states

A listing that names a brass shank is stating that the tube is made of brass. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, and it has been a traditional metal for beer dispense components. In kegerator listings, brass shanks are often plated or finished so that the visible surface matches the faucet.

The word "brass" on a listing refers to the material of the component, not to a color. A brass shank may be plated with chrome or another finish, so the outside does not always look brass colored. Read the full bullet list to see how the finish is described.

A brass shank listing does not state strength, thickness, or lifespan. It only states the material. If a listing says "brass shank" and "chrome faucet," then the shank material and the faucet finish are two separate details. When you compare dual tap kegerators, use the best dual tap kegerators guide to see how each model states its components.

Taste claims on listings

Some listings describe a stainless steel shank as having no effect on the taste of the beer. That is a claim made by the seller, and you should read it as a marketing statement, not as a measured fact.

The same applies to brass listings that describe the metal as traditional or durable. A listing can state a material, but it cannot prove that one material changes flavor more than the other. No official source page provides data comparing taste across shank materials.

As a buyer, treat taste and odor claims as descriptive words in the listing, and put them aside when you compare the stated details. The material is a factual statement; the effect on flavor is not comparable across sources. For a full comparison of stated details across many models, see the main kegerator reviews page.

Durability and cost as listing words

Listings may describe stainless steel as corrosion resistant and brass as a traditional metal. These are material descriptions, and they are common in kegerator component text. They do not state a lifespan or a maintenance schedule.

Cost also appears as a listing idea, but never as a number on this site. A stainless shank is often described as a premium material, and a brass shank is described as a standard metal. The price difference between the two is not stated on the source pages.

When you shop, use the material as one of several stated details. It sits alongside the tower material, the faucet material, and the number of taps. The shank material alone should not decide the purchase. Triple tap kegerators, for example, are compared on all stated details in the best triple tap kegerators guide.

How to shop for shank material

Read the bullet list first. If the listing names the shank material, it is usually near the faucet and tower details. If the listing does not name the shank material, treat it as an unstated detail.

Compare two listings side by side. One may say "stainless steel shank" and the other may say "brass shank." The material is part of the stated comparison, just like the tower material or the faucet type.

Do not assume that a brass shank listing has no stainless parts. A kegerator can have a stainless tower, a brass shank, and a chrome faucet. Read every material word in the bullet list before you decide.

If the shank material is not stated, you can still buy the kegerator. The material is one component among many. For wide commercial models, the shank detail may appear alongside other stated components; see the best commercial kegerators guide for how those listings are compared.

What to pick for your situation

Questions

Is a stainless steel shank better than a brass shank?

Neither material is better in every situation. A stainless steel shank resists corrosion and needs no plating. A brass shank is a traditional metal that is often plated with a finish. Choose based on the stated material and the look you prefer.

Does the shank material affect the taste of the beer?

Some listings claim that stainless steel does not affect taste. That is a seller claim, and no official source page provides data comparing taste across shank materials. Use the material as a stated detail, not as a taste guarantee.

Do I see the shank on the outside of the kegerator?

The shank sits behind the tower face or inside the tower base. You see the faucet and the tower exterior. The shank material is a stated component, not a visible part of the finished look.

What if the listing does not state the shank material?

Treat the shank material as an unstated detail. The kegerator can still be a good choice. The guides on this site compare entire units on stated details, so a missing shank material is just one blank cell.

Is a brass shank always brass colored?

No. A brass shank may be plated with chrome or another finish, so the outside does not always look brass colored. Read the full bullet list to see how the finish is described.

Does the shank material affect the number of taps?

No. The shank material is a component detail, and the number of taps is a separate stated feature. A single tap and a four tap tower can each use a stainless or a brass shank.