Closure part for a drum (glass, rubber, wood, ceramic, plastic, silicone) that is inserted into the bunghole. In order to allow gas to escape or to enable ventilation, the bung can also be inserted loosely or it has a corresponding device (valve) that only allows this in one direction. This is also known as a fermentation bung (see Gäraufsatzfermentation bung). In this case, the barrel is stored so that the bunghole is at the top.
If no ventilation is to take place during keg removal, the keg is turned so that the bunghole (in this case tightly closed) is below the liquid level. This position is called the "two o'clock" position. The advantage is that the empty space created by evaporation forms on the smooth inner wall of the barrel. On the other hand, a "12 o'clock" position can lead to leaks, especially in wooden cones, because these can dry out in the air bubble. This poses the risk of oxidation and greater shrinkage.
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Diplom-Sommelier, Weinakademiker und Weinberater, Volders (Österreich)