How Many Beers Are in a Keg

A standard U.S. keg, also called a half-barrel, contains 15.5 gallons of beer—equivalent to roughly 165 12-ounce servings or 124 16-ounce pints. Smaller keg sizes exist, such as quarter-barrels (7.75 gallons) and sixth-barrels (5.16 gallons), which yield fewer servings. The exact number of beers depends on serving size and head pour. (Source: Brewers Association) 

Smaller kegs like a quarter barrel (7.75 gallons) hold roughly 82 12-ounce beers, while a sixth barrel (5.16 gallons) holds about 55 12-ounce servings. A typical European 50-liter keg, according to Kegworks, yields approximately 140 12-ounce servings.

You may wonder how many beers in a keg you actually get. A standard half-barrel keg holds 15.5 gallons or 1,984 fluid ounces. That means you can pour about 165 full 12 oz beers from one half-barrel keg. Use this quick chart to check how many beers in a keg for other common keg sizes:

Use this chart when you need to pick the right keg size for your event. It helps you see at a glance how many beers in a keg you can expect to serve.

Key Takeaways

• A half-barrel keg holds about 165 twelve-ounce beers, making it the best choice for large parties and events.

• Smaller kegs like quarter-barrel, sixth-barrel, and Cornelius kegs serve fewer beers and work well for small to medium gatherings or home use.

• Use the formula (gallons × 128) ÷ serving size in ounces to calculate how many beers a keg holds for any serving size.

• Always check keg size and serving size before your event to avoid running out of beer or having too much left over.

• Keep kegs cold and use a CO2 system to keep beer fresh longer and reduce foam problems during serving.

How Many Beers in a Keg

Keg Size Chart

You want to know exactly how many beers you get from each keg size. The answer depends on the type of keg and the serving size. Most people use 12 oz or 16 oz cups for parties and events. The chart below shows the most common beer keg sizes, their capacity in gallons and ounces, and the number of 12 oz and 16 oz servings you can expect from a full keg.

You can see that a half-barrel keg gives you the most beers. This size is the standard for most large gatherings. If you want to compare the number of 12 oz servings for each keg visually, check out the chart below:

Key Facts

• You get about 165 twelve-ounce beers from a full half-barrel keg. This matches the data from Coldbreak USA and KegWorks, both trusted sources for beer keg sizes.

• A quarter-barrel keg holds about 82 twelve-ounce beers. This size works well for small to medium parties.

• A sixth barrel keg gives you about 55 to 56 twelve-ounce beers. Many microbreweries use this size.

• The Cornelius keg, often used for homebrewing, holds about 53 twelve-ounce beers.

• The mini keg is perfect for small groups. It holds about 14 twelve-ounce beers.

• The 50L keg, common in Europe, holds about 140 twelve-ounce beers.

Tip: You may get slightly fewer beers from a full keg than the chart shows. Foam and dispensing loss can reduce the total number of servings. Always plan for a little less than the maximum.

• To calculate how many beers in a keg, use this formula:
  Number of servings = (Gallons × 128) ÷ Serving Size (oz)

• For example, a half barrel keg has 15.5 gallons. Multiply by 128 to get 1,984 ounces. Divide by 12 to get about 165 beers.

• The same formula works for 16 oz beers in a keg. Just divide the total ounces by 16.

You can trust these numbers. Coldbreak USA, The Brewers Association, and Kegerator all confirm these serving counts. They use the same conversion method for US keg sizes and beer keg sizes. The physics of carbonation and pressure also support these calculations. When you fill a full keg, the pressure and temperature keep the beer at the right carbonation, so you get the expected number of servings.

• The half barrel keg is the most common choice for big events.

• Quarter barrel and sixth barrel kegs are great for smaller groups or when you want more variety.

• Always check the capacity of your keg before you buy. Not all kegs are the same size.

If you want to make sure you have enough beers for your guests, use the chart above. It helps you pick the right keg sizes for any event.

Beer Keg Sizes

Half Barrel Keg

You will find the half-barrel keg is the most common choice for big events. This 1/2 keg holds 15.5 gallons, which equals about 1,984 ounces. You can pour about 165 twelve-ounce beers or 124 sixteen-ounce beers from a full keg. The empty weight is around 30 pounds, and a full keg weighs close to 160 pounds. Most people use a half keg for weddings, large parties, or big gatherings.

The 1/2 keg gives you the best value if you need to serve a lot of beers.

Quarter Barrel Keg

A 1/4 keg, also called a pony keg, is great for smaller parties. This keg holds 7.75 gallons or 992 ounces. You get about 82 twelve-ounce beers or 62 sixteen-ounce beers from a quarter-barrel. The empty weight is about 22 pounds, and a full keg weighs around 87 pounds. You might use a 1/4 keg for birthday parties or small gatherings.

• Capacity: 7.75 gallons (992 oz)

• 12 oz Beers: 82

• 16 oz Beers: 62

• Weight (empty): 22 lbs

• Weight (full): 87 lbs

• Typical Use: Small to medium parties, home use

Sixth Barrel Keg

The 1/6 keg, or sixtel, is popular with craft beer lovers. This keg holds 5.16 gallons, which is about 661 ounces. You can pour about 55 twelve-ounce beers or 41 sixteen-ounce beers from a sixth-barrel. The empty weight is about 16 pounds, and a full keg weighs around 58 pounds. You will often see a 1/6 keg at taprooms or for home kegerators.

Cornelius Keg

You may know the Cornelius keg as the "Corny keg." This keg holds 5 gallons or 640 ounces. You get about 53 twelve-ounce beers or 40 sixteen-ounce beers from a full keg. The empty weight is about 9 pounds, and a full keg weighs around 43 pounds. Homebrewers love this keg for its easy cleaning and small size.

• Capacity: 5 gallons (640 oz)

• 12 oz Beers: 53

• 16 oz Beers: 40

• Weight (empty): 9 lbs

• Weight (full): 43 lbs

• Typical Use: Homebrewing, small batch beer, soda

50L Keg

The 50L keg is common in Europe. You will find it holds 13.2 gallons or 1,690 ounces. This size gives you about 140 twelve-ounce beers or 99 sixteen-ounce beers. The empty weight is about 27 pounds, and a full keg weighs close to 130 pounds. You might use this keg for European imports or larger parties.

Mini Keg

A mini keg is perfect for small groups or when you want to try different kinds of kegs. This keg holds 1.32 gallons or 169 ounces. You can pour about 14 twelve-ounce beers or 10 sixteen-ounce beers from a mini keg. The empty weight is about 2 pounds, and a full keg weighs around 10 pounds. You will often use a mini keg for picnics, camping, or tasting parties.

• Capacity: 1.32 gallons (169 oz)

• 12 oz Beers: 14

• 16 oz Beers: 10

• Weight (empty): 2 lbs

• Weight (full): 10 lbs

• Typical Use: Small gatherings, portable events

Tip: Always check the keg capacity and serving size before your event. This helps you avoid running out of beers.

Keg Comparison Chart

Size and Servings

You want to see how each keg stacks up side by side. The keg comparison chart below helps you compare the main features of popular keg types. This table shows the size, serving capacity, and special features for each keg. Use it to find the best fit for your event.

Note: Some kegs, like the Cornelius, do not have a volume gauge. Others, such as the Ss Brewtech Brite Tank, let you see the volume with an external sight glass. This can help you track how much beer you have left.

Choosing the Right Keg

Picking the right keg depends on your event size, storage, and serving needs. Here are some quick tips to help you decide:

• Choose a half-barrel keg for big parties or events with many guests. You get the most servings and the best value.

• Use a Cornelius keg for small gatherings or when you want to serve fewer than 50 beers. This keg is easy to handle and clean.

• Stainless steel kegs last longer and keep your beer fresh. Disposable kegs work well for single-use events but may not be as durable.

• Keep your keg upright and cold. This keeps the beer fresh and prevents foaming.

• For short events, a hand-pumped keg works fine. If you want your beer to stay fresh longer, use a CO2 tap system.

• Clean your draft lines every one to two weeks. This keeps your beer tasting great.

• If you plan to expand your setup, pick equipment that can grow with your needs. Stainless steel lines and fittings are best for durability and sanitation.

• For events with many taps, consider a system with glycol cooling. This keeps all your beer lines cold, even if the kegs are far from the bar.

Tip: Always match your keg size to your guest count and event length. This helps you avoid running out of beer or having too much left over.

You now know how many beers each keg holds. Use the charts to match your group size to the right keg. For large parties, pick a half barrel. For small gatherings, a mini or Cornelius keg works well. Always check the serving size and event type before you buy. This helps you avoid running out or having too much left over. Quick charts make your decision easy.

FAQ

How do you calculate the number of beers in a keg?

You can use this formula:

(Number of gallons × 128) ÷ Serving size in ounces = Number of beers

For example, a 15.5-gallon keg gives you about 165 twelve-ounce beers.

How long does beer stay fresh in a keg?

Beer stays fresh for 2–3 months if you keep the keg cold and use a CO2 system. Hand-pumped kegs last only 1–2 days because air gets inside.

Can you reuse a keg for homebrewing?

Yes, you can reuse kegs like Cornelius kegs for homebrewing. Clean and sanitize the keg before each use. Many homebrewers prefer these kegs because they are easy to handle.

What should you do if your keg is foaming too much?

• Chill the keg to 38°F or lower.

• Check the CO2 pressure.

• Clean the tap lines.

Too much foam often means the beer is too warm or the pressure is too high.