Standard Drinks: Beer Kegs Uncovered

The number of standard drinks in a beer keg depends on the size of the keg and the size of a drink. A standard drink can be defined as 12oz, 16oz, or 64oz (a growler). A keg can refer to a mini keg, Cornelius keg, sixth-barrel keg, quarter-barrel keg, slim quarter keg, half-barrel keg, or 50-liter keg. A mini keg holds 14 12oz drinks, a Cornelius keg holds 53 12oz drinks, a sixth-barrel keg holds 56 12oz drinks, a quarter-barrel keg holds 82 12oz drinks, a slim quarter keg holds 82 12oz drinks, a half-barrel keg holds 165 12oz drinks, and a 50-liter keg holds 140 12oz drinks.

Characteristics of a Beer Keg

Mini Kegs: 14 12-ounce pours

A mini keg is a great option for a small gathering, easily fitting into most standard refrigerators. It is also a good choice for those who want the aesthetic appeal of a keg without the bulk of a larger keg. A mini keg typically holds around 1.32 gallons or 169 ounces of beer, which is approximately 14 12-ounce pours or 10 pints (16-ounce) servings.

The mini keg is a popular choice for those who want the convenience of a 12-pack with the added fun of a keg. It is also a good option for those who want to avoid the hassle and waste of cans or bottles, offering an easier clean-up after a party. In terms of cost, a mini keg is often a more affordable choice compared to larger kegs.

The most well-known brand offering mini kegs is Heineken, which includes a CO2 canister for dispensing the beer. Other brands that offer mini kegs include Warsteiner, Bitburger, and some craft beers, depending on your location. These mini kegs are typically introduced to air by opening the bung at the top and then dispensing the beer through a spigot at the bottom.

When it comes to serving beer from a mini keg, it's important to note that the beer should be kept fresh and at the correct temperature. Additionally, routine cleaning and maintenance of the dispensing equipment are crucial to maintaining the quality of the beer.

Cornelius Kegs: 53 12-ounce pours

If you're looking to serve beer from a keg, it's important to know how much beer you'll need and, therefore, what size keg to get. The Cornelius Keg, also known as the Corny Keg, Home Brew Keg, or Pepsi Keg, is a popular choice for home brewers and microbreweries. With a capacity of 5 gallons or 18 litres, it holds approximately 53 12-ounce pours or 40 pints (16 ounces).

The Cornelius Keg is a great option if you're looking for something smaller than the standard half-barrel or full-size keg, which holds 165 12-ounce pours. It's also a good choice if you want to offer a variety of beers without taking up too much space, as is often the case with microbreweries or beer-focused restaurants.

The Cornelius Keg's smaller size and capacity make it a perfect fit for a kegerator, a refrigerated unit designed to store and dispense kegs of beer. Its five-gallon capacity is the same as a typical homebrew batch, and its tall, cylindrical shape makes it easy to fill, clean, and maintain. Plus, with a ball-lock or pin-lock style connection, you can skip the bottling process and enjoy your brew straight from the tap.

Whether you're a homebrewer or a microbrewery, the Cornelius Keg offers convenience and flexibility. Its compact size and ample capacity provide a happy medium between the mini keg and larger barrel options. So, if you're planning a small gathering or offering a variety of beers, the Cornelius Keg and its 53 12-ounce pours will surely quench your thirst!

Sixth-Barrel Kegs: 56 12-ounce pours

A sixth-barrel keg, also known as a sixtel or log, is a popular choice for microbreweries and other establishments that want to offer a wide variety of beers without taking up too much space. With a capacity of 5.6 gallons or 20 litres, it can hold up to 55 bottles (56 twelve-ounce pours) or 41 pints of beer.

The sixth-barrel keg is slightly bigger than the Cornelius keg, which was originally designed for the soda industry. The Cornelius keg has a capacity of 5 gallons or 18 litres and can hold approximately 53 twelve-ounce pours.

The sixth-barrel keg is a good option for those who want to offer a range of beers without taking up too much space. It's also a popular choice for home brewers as it takes up less space and two of these kegs can fit comfortably inside a kegerator.

The sixth-barrel keg is also commonly used for dual-tap kegerators, which allow for a wider variety of beers to be offered in a limited space. This type of keg has a small footprint, making it a versatile option for those who want to offer multiple beer options.

When planning a party or gathering, it's important to consider how many people will be attending and how much beer you think they will consume. A sixth-barrel keg can provide approximately 56 twelve-ounce servings, so it's a good option for smaller gatherings or for offering a variety of beer options.

Quarter-Barrel Kegs: 82 12-ounce pours

Quarter-barrel kegs, also known as Pony Kegs or Stubby Quarters, are the perfect option for small to medium-sized parties. They have the same footprint as a half-barrel keg but are much easier to manoeuvre as they weigh about half as much.

Quarter-barrel kegs hold 82 12-ounce pours, or 62 16-ounce pints. They have a capacity of 7.75 gallons or 30 litres. They are 13⅞" tall and 16⅛" wide.

If you're looking for a keg with the same capacity but a smaller footprint, you might want to consider a Slim Quarter Keg, also known as a Tall Quarter. These are often used for small to medium-sized parties, and are a good option if you want to offer a wider variety of beers in a limited space. They are 23⅜" tall and 11⅛" wide.

For a smaller option, you could consider a Sixth-Barrel Keg, also known as a Sixtel or Log. These have a capacity of 5.6 gallons or 20 litres, and hold 56 12-ounce pours. They are known for their small footprint and are often used in dual-tap kegerators.

Half-Barrel Kegs: 165 12-ounce pours

A half-barrel keg, also known as a full-size keg or full keg, is the most widely used and commonly distributed type of keg. It is the standard keg size in the US. It can be used in a large assortment of applications, from college parties to restaurants and bars or even large events.

A half-barrel keg holds 15.5 gallons of beer, which is the equivalent of 165 12-ounce pours or servings. That's around four beers for 40 people or eight beers for 20 people. It's also the equivalent of 124 16-ounce pints or 31 growlers (of the standard 64 oz variety).

A half-barrel keg weighs 160 pounds when full and 30 pounds when empty, meaning there are 130 pounds of beer in a full half-barrel keg.

If you're planning an event and want to work out how much beer you'll need, a good rule of thumb is to plan for each person to drink one beer for every hour of the event. If you're serving other drinks, you might want to plan for each person to have one beer every two hours.

Frequently asked questions