A standard keg contains 15.5 gallons of beer. Since there are 16 ounces in 1 pint, and 2 pints in 1 quart, there are 4 quarts in 1 gallon. Therefore, there are 124 pints or 248 (12 oz) cups in 1 keg of beer.
Quick Answers
There are approximately 248 (12 oz) cups in a standard 15.5 gallon keg of beer.
Calculating the Number of Cups in a Keg
To determine how many 12 oz cups are in a keg, we first need to know some basic conversions:
- 1 gallon = 4 quarts
- 1 quart = 2 pints
- 1 pint = 16 ounces
- 1 cup = 12 ounces
A standard full keg contains 15.5 gallons of beer. Using the conversions above:
- 15.5 gallons x 4 quarts per gallon = 62 quarts
- 62 quarts x 2 pints per quart = 124 pints
- 124 pints x 16 ounces per pint = 1,984 ounces
- Since a 12 oz cup is the desired unit, 1,984 oz / 12 oz per cup = 165 cups
So in total, a 15.5 gallon keg contains approximately 165 12 oz cups of beer.
Accounting for Foam and Spillage
However, the 165 cup calculation assumes that the keg is filled to the absolute brim with beer. In reality, a portion of the keg’s volume is taken up by foam and a bit is lost in spillage when pouring.
To account for this, a general rule of thumb is to reduce the maximum capacity by 15-20%. Using 18% to be conservative, if we take 82% of the 165 cups we calculated above, we get:
- 165 cups x 0.82 = 135 cups
So accounting for foam and waste, a standard 15.5 gallon keg realistically holds about 135 12 oz cups of beer.
Typical Keg Sizes
While 15.5 gallons is the most common full size keg, other keg sizes exist too. Here’s a breakdown of other typical keg sizes and the number of 12 oz cups they contain:
| Keg Size | Total Gallons | Total 12 oz Cups* |
|---|---|---|
| Pony Keg | 7.75 gallons | 82 |
| Quarter Keg | 5.23 gallons | 66 |
| Slim Quarter Keg | 4.88 gallons | 62 |
| Sixth Barrel | 5.17 gallons | 65 |
| Cornelius Keg | 5.17 gallons | 65 |
*12 oz cup counts estimated using 18% foam/waste reduction
So while a full size, 15.5 gallon keg holds around 135 beers, smaller keg sizes may hold as few as 62-82 beers.
Factors That Affect Number of Beers in a Keg
There are several factors that can impact how many 12 oz beers you can expect to get out of a keg:
1. Keg Size
As shown above, the smaller the keg, the fewer total beers it will hold. A full barrel, 15.5 gallon keg holds many more beers than a quarter barrel or pony keg.
2. Amount of Foam
More foamy beers like wheat beers or IPAs will have greater foam, reducing the amount of actual beer poured.
3. Pouring Method
Fast, turbulent pours will aerate the beer more, creating more foam. Gentle, smooth pours will minimize foam.
4. Beer Style
Some styles like stouts will have less foam and less gas, increasing pours. More carbonated and hoppy styles will have more foam.
5. Storage Temperature
Colder temperatures help reduce foaming, allowing more beer per pour. Warm temperatures increase foaming.
6. Cleanliness of Lines
Dirty tap lines can cause foaming during pours. Regular line cleaning is important.
7. Spillage
Careless handling of taps and overflowing glasses will waste beer, reducing number of pours.
8. Glass Size
Larger glassware will obviously reduce the number of pours from a keg compared to smaller glass sizes.
Keg Beer Math Formulas
Here are some useful formulas for calculating keg capacities:
- Total ounces = Keg size (gallons) x 128 oz/gallon
- Total pints = Keg size (gallons) x 8 pints/gallon
- Total 12 oz beers = Total ounces / 12 oz per beer
- Total 16 oz beers = Total ounces / 16 oz per beer
To account for foam/waste, reduce totals by 15-20%.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many beers can you get from a pony keg?
A 7.75 gallon pony keg will hold around 82 twelve ounce beers after accounting for foam and waste.
How many 16 oz beers in a keg?
A standard 15.5 gallon keg holds approximately 99 sixteen ounce pint glasses of beer, after foam and spillage.
How much beer is in a keg in liters?
15.5 gallons is approximately 58.7 liters. So a standard keg contains about 58.7 liters before accounting for foam and waste.
How much is a keg of beer?
A full size 15.5 gallon keg typically costs $100-$200 wholesale, depending on the brand. Craft brews and imports may cost more. Retail keg prices at bars are higher.
Conclusion
A full size 15.5 gallon keg will hold approximately 165 twelve ounce beers at total capacity. After accounting for foaming and waste during pouring, a more realistic estimate is 135 beers per keg. Smaller keg sizes like quarter barrels may hold only 60-80 total beers. Factors like foam, pouring method, temperature and line cleanliness can also impact how many beers you’ll actually get out of a keg. Now that you know how many cups are in a keg, you can plan your next kegger appropriately!
