How To Choose A Keg - A Comparison of Sizes
At Kegco, we know that size matters and we’re here to make sure you’re 100% satisfied. With your kegs of course! Our team of passionate brewers and beverage drinkers knows everything there is to know about these stainless steel barrels of liquid happiness. From the common keg to the smaller sized kegs for homebrewing, let’s discuss keg basics. This brief introduction and comparison will help you understand the various sizes, dimensions, shapes, capacity, and even commonly used keg nicknames. We know it’s a lot but this simple guide will help through the tough decision-making process, so you can sit back and enjoy your beer, cold brew coffee, kombucha or whatever you’re drinking.
This chart below is a quick reference guide to compare the most common types of kegs and their sizes:
Depending on your kegerator, you may have the option to choose from a variety of keg sizes. To determine the right keg for your needs and kegerator, read on.
Mini Keg
Nicknames: Bubba Keg
Typically designed for mini kegerators, however, mini kegs can be compatible with larger kegerators. This is the smallest kegerator size often available and this keg contains 5 liters or 169.07 ounces.
This size keg is perfect for one-time use or portable purposes, from tailgating or camping to small parties and events. The downside of a mini keg is that there are often limited options for beverages.
Common Uses: One Time-Use, Travel & Portable Applications, Small Batches, Single Tap Kegerators
Dimensions: 9⅞” x 6¾”
Capacity: 1.75 gallons / 224 ounces
Pints (16oz) per keg: approx.14 pints
Cornelius Keg
Nicknames: Corny Keg, Homebrew Keg, Soda Keg
Originally designed for soft drinks, it allowed the soft drinks to have the ideal proportions of flavoring and carbonation. This keg is now commonly used by homebrewers as an alternative to bottling beer because this keg size is the typical size of a homebrew batch, 5 gallons. The friend of the homebrewer, good old Cornelius is easy for homebrewers to fill, clean, and maintain than individual bottles. The top of a Corny Keg opens up completely, making it very easy for a homebrewer to easily clean the interior of the keg without special equipment.
There are two types of connectors available for the Cornelius Keg, ball-lock for more modern kegs and pin-lock for older models.
Common Uses: Homebrewing, Small Batches, Single Tap Kegerators, Dual Tap Kegerators, Triple Tap Kegerators
Dimensions: 23″ x 9″
Capacity: 5.0 gallons / 640 ounces
Pints (16oz) per keg: approx. 40 pints
Sixth Barrel Keg
Nicknames: Sixtel, Torpedo, Log, 1/6 Barrel, 1/6 BBL
While this keg may look similar to the Corny Keg, the Sixth Barrel Keg actually holds slightly more (5.16 gallon capacity vs. 5.0 in a Corny Keg). We won’t complain about getting more to drink. Unlike a Corny Keg, which uses a ball-lock or pin-lock connection, this keg uses a traditional keg valve system that requires a coupler for dispensing.
The Sixth Barrel Keg is commonly used in dual or triple tap kegerators to provide a variety of options without the need for multiple kegerators because two or three of these kegs will fit into one standard kegerator cabinet. This is ideal for restaurants, bars, and homes with limited space. For homebrewing, the Cornelius Keg is still recommended because Sixth Barrel Kegs don’t open without special equipment and cannot be cleaned easily without special equipment.
Common Uses: Single Tap Kegerators, Dual Tap Kegerators, Triple Tap Kegerators, Commercial Use, Limited Storage Space
Dimensions: 23⅜” x 9¼”
Capacity: 5.16 gallons / 661 ounces
Pints (16oz) per keg: approx. 41 pints
Quarter Barrel Keg
Nicknames: Pony Keg, Stubby Quarter,1/4 BBL
The short and stubby sibling of the keg family, the Quarter Barrel Keg is ideal for small parties and limited storage spaces. Don’t underestimate this keg because of its size, the short and stubby shape of this keg allows you to stack kegs for storage in one kegerator cabinet or refrigeration system. Unfortunately, when stacked, only one can be tapped at a time but when you have limited space, this little guy will serve you well.
Common Uses: Small Parties, Limited Spaces, Single Tap Kegerators, Dual Tap Kegerators
Dimensions: 16⅛” x 13⅞”
Capacity: 7.75 gallons / 992 ounces
Pints (16oz) per keg: approx.62 pints
Slim Quarter Keg
Nicknames: Tall Quarter, The Slim, Slim 1/4 BBL
The slimmer sibling of the Quarter Barrel Keg, this Slim Quarter Keg holds the exact same amount but has the benefits of the Sixth Barrel Keg’s slim shape. This keg is ideal for dual and triple tap kegerators allowing you to serve a variety of beverages with one kegerator. Some single tap kegerators with large cabinets can also store multiple Slim Quarter Kegs.
Common Uses: Small Parties, Limited Spaces, Single Tap Kegerators, Dual Tap Kegerators, Triple Tap Kegerators
Dimensions: 11⅛” x 23⅜”
Capacity: 7.75 gallons / 992 ounces
Pints (16oz) per keg: approx. 62 pints
Half Barrel Keg
Nicknames: Full-Size Keg, Barrel of Beer, Full Keg, 1/2 BBL
This keg is known as your standard and traditional full-sized keg. This king of keg parties is ideal for large parties or gatherings, commercial use, and large homebrew batches. Frequently used at restaurants and bars, this large keg can also fit into most standard-sized home kegerators. For homebrewers who brew large batches, this easy to clean Half Barrel Keg with a Ball Lock is perfect for storing large beverage batches instead of splitting your batch into 5-gallon Corny Kegs.
Common Uses: Commercial, Homebrewing, Large Events, Business, Frat Parties, Single Tap Kegerators
Dimensions: 16⅛” x 23⅜”
Capacity: 15.5 gallons / 1984 ounces
Pints (16oz) per keg: approx. 124 pints
50 Litre Keg
Nicknames: Import Keg, European Barrel, 50 Liter
The European equivalent to the American Half Barrel Keg, this keg size is most commonly found at European Breweries but can also be found when purchasing popular import beer brands in the US. These import kegs do not use a standard US Sankey D coupler so before purchasing this size, refer to your kegerator to determine compatible kegs and equipment.
Common Uses: European Commercial, Large Events, Business, Single Tap Kegarators
Dimensions: 20.94″ x 16.06″
Capacity: 13.2 gallons / 1,690 ounces
Pints (16oz) per keg: approx. 105 pints
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