How Much Beer Is In a Keg?

Whether you've just opened a bar, own a catering business, or want to serve beer at a backyard barbeque, kegs are a convenient option for providing drinks to a crowd. They are a crucial tool in the world of commercial beverage service, allowing you to serve large quantities of beer without using individual bottles or cans. There are several different keg sizes, and if you aren't familiar with them it can be difficult to identify which size fits your needs. We’ll introduce the different keg types and their capacities below.

How Many Beers are In a Keg Video

Watch the video below for a walkthrough of how many beers are in each type of keg!

What Is a Keg?

A keg is a container designed to hold and serve large quantities of beer, cider, and other alcoholic or carbonated drinks. These containers are typically cylindrical in shape and come in various sizes. Most kegs are pressurized, preventing carbon dioxide leakage and keeping their contents carbonated. Due to their capacity and portability, kegs lend themselves to a wide range of settings including local bars, wedding receptions, and music festivals.

Types of Kegs

There are many different keg styles, but they all serve the same purpose: to keep your favorite brew fresh. We’ll walk you through the different types of kegs and how much beer they hold below. It's important to note that these figures are approximate and may vary slightly depending on the specific dimensions and design of the keg.

1. Half Barrel Keg

A half-barrel keg, sometimes called a full keg, is the most widely used and commonly distributed keg. It is the largest type of keg and lends itself large-scale events or operations. The half-barrel keg is compatible with most commercial draft systems, making it easy to integrate into your existing setup. Its standard dimensions allow for seamless installation and replacement, ensuring a smooth operation for your business.

How Many Beers In a Half Keg?

• Capacity of a half barrel keg: 15.5 gallons
• Pints in a half barrel keg: 124 pints
• Bottles in a half barrel keg: 165 bottles

2. Quarter Barrel Keg

Also known as a pony keg or stubby quarter keg, this compact keg is designed for occasions when a full-sized keg is not necessary. They lend themselves to medium-sized businesses or events. One of the advantages of a quarter barrel keg is its footprint. It has the same circumference as a half keg but is only half the height, making it much easier to maneuver and store.

How Many Beers In a Quarter Barrel Keg?

• Capacity of a quarter barrel keg: 7.75 gallons
• Pints in a quarter barrel keg: 62 pints
• Bottles in a quarter barrel keg: 82 bottles

3. Slim Quarter Keg

Slim quarter kegs are a smaller footprint version of a standard quarter keg. While a regular quarter keg holds the same amount of beer, the slim version offers a space-saving solution for those tight on storage space. One of the main advantages of a slim quarter keg is its ability to fit into smaller refrigerators or kegerators. It's the perfect option for businesses that want to offer an expanded drink selection.

How Many Beers In a Slim Quarter Keg?

• Capacity of a slim quarter keg: 7.75 gallons
• Pints in a slim quarter keg: 62 pints
• Bottles in a slim quarter keg: 82 bottles

4. Sixth Barrel Keg

Also known as a sixtel keg or log keg, the sixth barrel keg is often used in microbreweries. They are the ideal choice for those looking to offer a variety of beers on tap without taking up too much space. With its small footprint, the sixth barrel keg can easily fit into various types of kegerators.

How Many Beers In a Sixth Barrel Keg?

• Capacity of a sixth barrel keg: 5.2 gallons
• Pints in a sixth barrel keg: 41 pints
• Bottles in a sixth barrel keg: 55 bottles

5. Cornelius Keg

Also known as the homebrew keg, the Cornelius keg was first utilized by the soft drink industry before quickly being adopted by breweries. These kegs are perfect for those who prefer to brew smaller quantities of beer and experiment with different recipes. The reduced quantity of beer in a Cornelius keg makes it easier to handle and store. Whether you're a home brewer looking to share your creations with friends and family or you're a brewery owner seeking to expand your tap beer options, the Cornelius keg provides a convenient solution.

How Many Beers In a Cornelius Keg?

• Capacity of a Cornelius keg: 5 gallons
• Pints in a Cornelius keg: 40 pints
• Bottles in a Cornelius keg: 53 bottles

6. Mini Keg

A mini keg is the smallest type of commercial keg. Sometimes called bubba kegs, mini kegs are easy to transport thanks to their compact size and lightweight construction. Whether you're catering a small event or sampling your newest brew, these kegs are the ideal vessel for storing small quantities of beer. Mini kegs are frequently used with mini kegerators, ensuring your brew is always at the correct temperature.

How Many Beers In a Mini Keg?

• Capacity of a mini keg: 1.32 gallons
• Pints in a mini keg: 10 pints
• Bottles in a mini keg: 14 bottles

How to Fill a Keg

If you’re new to the brewing industry, filling a keg might be a confusing process. To transfer beer from your fermenter to your keg, follow these steps:

1. Prepare keg: Sanitize the keg before filling it and place it on a balanced scale. This allows you to measure its contents as it is filled.
2. Attach hose: Connect the coupler of your keg to the fermenter with a hose. This will be used to transfer beer between the two vessels.
3. Close shutoffs: Close both shutoffs on the coupler and ensure the hose is securely attached to prevent any leaks or spills during the filling process
4. Flush yeast and sediment: Remove any yeast or debris that may have settled in the racking arm by flushing it out. Once the racking arm is flushed, connect the coupler to the sanitized keg, ensuring a tight and secure fit.
5. Fill the keg: Open the liquid shutoff valve on the coupler. Be careful not to open it fully, as this may release too much gas at once. Slowly and steadily fill the keg, ensuring it reaches approximately 95-98% full. Leaving a small amount of headspace inside the keg allows it to absorb any pressure changes without causing issues.
6. Finish filling: Once the keg is almost full, close the gas shutoff valve to stop the flow. Wait until the beer stops flowing completely before disconnecting the coupler to minimize spills or waste.

Counter-Pressure Filling

Large-scale commercial breweries rely on counter-pressure filling to fill their kegs. This process involves a series of valve operations and pressurization, facilitating faster filling while simultaneously preventing oxygen absorption and product loss. It gives the operator complete control over the atmosphere inside the keg during the filling process, resulting in a high-quality product that retains its freshness for longer.

How to Clean a Keg

Cleaning a keg is essential for maintaining the quality and taste of your beer. Whether you're a bar owner or a homebrewer, it’s important to know how to clean a keg the right way. We’ll walk you through the process below:

1. Depressurize the keg: For safety reasons, release any remaining pressure from the keg before you begin cleaning.
2. Remove keg spear: The keg spear is the component that allows you to tap into the keg. To clean the keg thoroughly, remove the spear by unscrewing it or using a specialized keg spear removal tool.
3. Rinse: Rinse the keg with warm water to remove any residual beer or debris.
4. Add cleaning solution: Choose a high-quality keg cleaning solution and follow the manufacturer's instructions to determine the correct amount to use. Add the cleaning solution to the keg, and then fill it with hot water to activate the cleaning solution and break down any remaining residue.
5. Let the solution sit: Let the cleaning solution sit in the keg for 10-15 minutes to dissolve any stubborn deposits and eliminate bacteria or other contaminants.
6. Dry and rinse: Drain the keg and rinse it thoroughly with clean water. This will remove any traces of the cleaning solution and ensure that no residue remains.
7. Sanitize: Eliminate any remaining bacteria with a second batch of cleaning solution. After a few minutes, drain the keg and rinse it one final time with clean water.
8. Reinstall spear: Once the keg is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized, reattach the keg spear. Before you add your beer, it's important to purge the keg with carbon dioxide to remove any oxygen that may have entered during the cleaning process. This will help to preserve the flavor and freshness of your beer.

Beer Keg FAQ

We’ll answer some of the most common questions about beer kegs below.

How Long Does a Keg Last?

Pasteurized draft beer, heated to kill off bacteria or yeast, will generally last 3 to 4 months in a keg. Unpasteurized draft beer, which retains its live yeast, typically lasts 6 to 8 weeks. Proper storage is the key to making your beer last as long as possible. Kegs should be kept refrigerated at all times to maintain the quality of the beer inside. Warm temperatures can speed up the aging process and cause the beer to become flat and stale.

It's important to note that the countdown for a keg's shelf life begins when it is first filled at the brewery, not when you purchase it. When serving draft beer at a party or event, check the keg's packaging and verify when it was filled.

What Are Beer Kegs Made Of?

The two most common keg materials are stainless steel and aluminum. Continue reading to learn about both types and what sets them apart.

• Stainless steel beer kegs: Stainless steel kegs are known for their durability. They feature excellent insulating properties, allowing you to keep beer cold for long periods.
• Aluminum beer kegs: One of the main advantages of aluminum kegs is that they preserve the taste of the beer better than other materials. These kegs are also lighter than their stainless steel counterparts, making them easier to transport.

Kegs are a valuable tool for any establishment that serves alcoholic beverages, and it's essential to make sure you choose the right one. By selecting the proper-sized beer keg, you can ensure that you always have enough of your signature beverages to satisfy customers.