Valve assembly for a beverage container, container for beverage and method for filling and emptying a beverage container

A valve assembly (8, 308) for a container (1, 2, 4) for beverage, comprising a housing and a beverage channel with a valve body (20, 320), wherein operating means are provided for moving the valve body, said operating means comprising:

• first coupling means (100, 300) for coupling the beverage channel (50, 350) to beverage dispensing means for emptying a container through or along the valve body;
• and
• second coupling means (80, 380) for coupling the beverage channel (50, 350) to a filling device for filling a container through or along the valve body, characterized in that the first coupling means are arranged for movement of the valve body between a first and a second position and the second coupling means are arranged for movement of the valve body between a first and a third position, wherein
• in the first position the beverage channel is completely closed off
• in the second position a passage is released for a first flow rate, and
• in the third position a passage is released for a second flow rate, the second flow rate being considerably greater than the first flow rate, the arrangement being such that during use, a container connected to the valve assembly can be filled relatively quickly through the beverage channel when the valve body is in its third position, while beverage can be dispensed from the relevant container in a relatively calm manner when the valve assembly is in its second position.