Beer Keg Sizes

A keg is a cylindrical hollow container. It holds alcoholic, non alcoholic and carbonated drinks in large quantities, thus, facilitating its transport and storage. It can be housed as well. A normal refrigerator can be converted to a kegerator using a keg conversion kit, which costs you way less than going in for an actual kegerator. Kegs are usually made up of aluminum, wood or steel. Carrying kegs with your favorite drink stored in it is very convenient when at a party or get-together. It holds drinks in large quantities without spoiling the taste of it.

What is a Beer Keg?
A beer keg, as the name suggests, holds beer, and is usually made of stainless steel and less of aluminum or wood. The beer keg has a single opening at the top end, from where the beer is dispensed. It also has a tube in the middle called a spear that extends from the opening end to the other end. There is a self-closing valve at the top of this spear. Right next to it, is an opening that allows the gas (normally carbon dioxide) to force out beer from the keg into your glass.

Now, there are two types of taps available in beer kegs that force the beer out, one being the "party pump" while the other is the "gas tap". A party tap uses outside air to pump the beer out, hence introducing the outside oxygen, bacteria and other contaminates that reduce the quality of beer. Kegs operating on the party tap mechanism have to be utilized within 18-20 hours. If you want the beer in the keg to last longer, carbon dioxide should be used to create pressure inside the keg. The use of carbon dioxide reduces outside contaminates, hence retaining the taste of the beer. Gas pump kegs can preserve the beer quality up to 120 days with proper refrigeration. The kegs have to be kept in a bucket of ice or cold water, in order to keep the beer chilled and maintain its taste.

Beer Keg Sizes
The standard sizes are ½ keg, 50 liter keg, ¼ keg and 1/6 keg. These keg dimensions are used by beer manufacturers and dealers in storage and distribution. With such fixed specifications, it is easier for both the consumers and dealers to understand the quantity of beer being exchanged. The table below will help you know better.

Standard Sizes
Specifications	½ Keg	50 Liter Keg	¼ Keg (Pony Keg)	1/6 Keg (Torpedo Keg)
Height	23 inches	20 inches	23 inches	23 inches
Diameter	17 inches	17 inches	11 inches	9 inches
Weight	161 lbs	133 lbs	84 lbs	53 lbs
Freezing point	29°F	29°F	29°F	29°F
Contents	16-18 gallons	13-15 gallons	7-9 gallons	3-5 gallons
12oz Servings	165 glasses	140 glasses	82 glasses	53 glasses
16oz Servings	124 glasses	105 glasses	62 glasses	42 glasses
20oz Servings	99 glasses	84 glasses	49 glasses	33 glasses

Beer Keg Servings
For personal use, there are different keg sizes that would suit your purpose or occasion. A corny keg, is most commonly used to store and dispense beer made at home. Hence, it is also called "Home Brew". Mini kegs are single use, recyclable, small-sized kegs. They are commonly called "Bubba". They are used at small parties or get-togethers at home. You can also place these mini kegs in your car, to use on a long road trip. A slim quarter keg is a perfect keg, i.e right sized, if you are planning to convert your refrigerator to kegerator. The table below will throw more light on the specifications of these different beer keg servings and sizes.

Different Beer Keg Servings and Sizes
Specifications	Mini Keg (Bubba)	Corny Keg (Home Brew)	Slim Quarter Keg	Wall ("99 Bottles of Beer")
Contents	2 gallons	5 gallons	8 gallons	9 gallons
Weight	60 lbs	87 lbs	95 lbs	-
12oz Servings	14 glasses	53 glasses	82 glasses	99 glasses
16oz Servings	10 glasses	40 glasses	62 glasses	74 glasses
20oz Servings	8 glasses	32 glasses	49 glasses	59 glasses

The above information will help you choose the right beer keg for any occasion, be it a party or an addition to your home bar. You can also hire one, if you do not have any long-term use for a beer keg. Ask the supplier you normally buy beer from about the hiring options. But if you are a home brewer, then a beer keg is the ideal addition to your brewing kit.