A half barrel, a quarter barrel and a sixtel hold very different amounts of beer. Here is what each holds and how to choose.
Kegs have several names, and the same keg can be called by more than one. The terms barrel, half barrel, pony keg and full-size keg get used loosely, and a quarter barrel can even come in two shapes. Knowing the capacity in gallons is the surest way to avoid mistakes.
The brewery barrel is a unit of volume, equal to 31 gallons. Keg names are fractions of that, which is where terms like half barrel and sixth barrel come from. When you order, confirm the capacity in gallons and the type of tap connection the keg uses, since that decides the equipment you need.
This table lists common keg sizes with their capacities. Servings are rough: they assume no waste from foam, which is optimistic for a first-time host. Plan for some loss.
The 12-ounce figures are simply the volume divided by 12. Real pours are often larger, and actual servings depend on glass size and foam.
Half barrel. The half barrel is the large keg most people picture at a big party. It holds 15.5 gallons, enough for a large crowd or a long event. It is also heavy and bulky, so make sure you have the space, the strength to move it and enough cold storage before you commit.
A half barrel only makes sense if you can finish it. Leftover beer is not a loss in the same way, but a tapped keg does not stay at its best forever. For smaller groups, size down.
| Keg | Also called | Gallons | Approx. 12 oz servings | Approx. 16 oz pints |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Half barrel | Full-size keg, 1/2 BBL | 15.5 | 165 | 124 |
| Quarter barrel | Pony keg, stubby quarter, 1/4 BBL | 7.75 | 82 | 62 |
| Slim quarter | Tall quarter barrel | 7.75 | 82 | 62 |
| Sixth barrel | Sixtel, 1/6 BBL | About 5.2 | 55 | 41 |
| 50 liter | European-style keg | 13.2 | 140 | 105 |
| Mini keg | 5 liter keg | 1.32 | 14 | 10 |
A quarter barrel holds 7.75 gallons and comes in two shapes: a short, wide one and a taller, slimmer one that fits better in some refrigerators. Check the dimensions against your cooler or fridge before ordering.
A sixtel, or sixth barrel, holds about 5.2 gallons. Breweries and bars like it because several different beers fit in a small space, and hosts like it for the same reason: you can offer two or three styles without needing a huge amount of any. It is also the easiest to chill and carry.
Mini kegs and growlers. Mini kegs hold about 5 liters, or 1.32 gallons, and are meant for small gatherings. Some are self-pressurized with a CO2 cartridge, and others require you to open a top bung, which lets in air and shortens how long the beer stays good.
For a small group that does not need a keg, a crowler or growler may be easier. See growler vs crowler for sizes and freshness.
A keg needs a way to dispense it and a way to keep it cold. At minimum, plan for a tap or coupler that fits the keg, a source of gas or a pump, tubing, a cooling method such as a refrigerator or a tub of ice, and a place to catch drips. A warm or shaken keg pours mostly foam, which wastes beer.
Let a keg settle after transport, and keep it cold from the time it arrives. Our storage guide explains why temperature swings hurt beer, and how to pour a beer properly covers the pour itself.
Start with the number of adult guests, the length of the event and the number of beer drinkers, then size the keg. Our party planning guide walks through the arithmetic. When in doubt, choose a smaller keg or two different sixtels so there is variety and less waste.
Rules for keg sales vary by state and sometimes by city. Some places require deposits, registration or particular purchaser details, so ask us what applies when you inquire about kegs and to-go beer.
Kegs are heavy and awkward, so plan the move before delivery day. A full half barrel is a big load for one person, so get help, lift with your legs and use a cart or dolly where you can. Avoid carrying a keg on stairs alone.
Set the keg where it will stay. Moving a tapped keg around stirs it up and causes foam. Place it in a tub of ice or a refrigerator, and let it rest and chill before the first pour. Check connections before the party, since a leak is easier to fix an hour early than mid-event.
Pressurized equipment deserves respect. Use gear that fits your keg, follow the manufacturer's instructions for gas and couplers, and never tamper with pressurized parts. If you are unsure, ask the brewery or a rental provider to show you how to tap it. A few minutes of instruction prevents spilled beer and injury.
The most common mistake is ordering the biggest keg out of habit. A half barrel is a lot of beer, and if the party is small or short, much of it may go unfinished. The second most common is forgetting the equipment: a keg with no tap, no cold storage and no plan is just a heavy metal drum.
People also forget about variety. One style in one keg may not please every guest, and a couple of smaller kegs can work better than one big one. Finally, check the rules for your location before you commit, since keg sales, deposits and transport can be regulated in ways that differ widely from place to place.
A short conversation before ordering prevents most of these problems. Tell the brewery your guest count, the length of the event and where the keg will be served, and ask what they recommend.
A half barrel holds 15.5 gallons.
A sixtel, or sixth barrel, is a keg holding about 5.2 gallons.
It usually refers to a quarter barrel, which holds 7.75 gallons, though the name is used loosely.
A half barrel holds roughly 165 twelve-ounce servings on paper, but foam and larger pours reduce that in practice.
Tell us what you are planning and we will reply with what we can offer and what we need to know next.