A 16 gallon keg is a common size for kegs of beer. Kegs come in a variety of sizes, but 16 gallons is a popular choice for parties, events, bars and restaurants. But how many beers can you expect to get out of a standard 16 gallon keg? Let’s take a closer look and do the math.
What is a Keg?
A keg is a small barrel used to store, transport and serve beer. Kegs come in a range of sizes from 5 gallons up to 50 gallons. The most common keg sizes are:
- Pony keg – 7.75 gallons
- Sixth keg – 5.23 gallons
- Quarter keg – 7.75 gallons
- Half keg – 15.5 gallons
- Full keg – 31 gallons
The kegs are made of stainless steel and sealed with a rubber gasket. They are pressurized with carbon dioxide (CO2) to dispense the beer using a tap system. This allows the beer to stay fresh for extended periods.
The 16 gallon keg is technically known as a “half-barrel” because it holds half as much as a full standard beer barrel (31 gallons). However, it is commonly referred to as just a “keg.”
How Much Beer is in a Keg?
A standard 16 gallon keg when full contains about 1960 fluid ounces of beer. However, some space is taken up by the keg itself and the pressurized gas so the actual amount of beer is a bit less. The usable amount of beer in a 16 gallon keg is typically 15.5 gallons, or about 1984 ounces.
But how much beer can you pour from 1984 ounces? That depends on the cup size!
Beer Amounts by Cup Size
| Cup size | Ounces | Beers per keg |
| Shot glass | 1.5 | 1323 |
| Pint glass | 16 | 124 |
| Wine glass | 5 | 397 |
| Pilsner glass | 12 | 165 |
| Beer mug | 20 | 99 |
As you can see, the number of beers that you get from a keg varies greatly depending on the size of glassware used. The typical pint glass at 16 ounces is the most common size people think of when estimating beers per keg. So for a 16 gallon keg, you can expect roughly 124 16-ounce pint glasses when filled.
Factors That Affect Beer Quantity
There are a few variables that can affect how much beer you can pour from a 16 gallon keg.
Keg Type
– New vs Used – New kegs are able to hold more beer, while used kegs that have been dented may hold slightly less. The differences are usually minimal.
– Import vs Domestic – Import kegs from Europe hold less than American domestic kegs. This is because imports like Heineken use the 50 liter European standard size, which is 13.2 gallons instead of 15.5 for a domestic half barrel.
Tapping Method
– Short draw vs long draw – Short draw systems have the keg stored right next to the tap, leading to less foaming and wasted beer. Long draws have the keg stored remotely in a cooler and travel 6 feet or more to the tap. This causes more foam and wastes more beer.
– Direct draw vs cool lines – Systems using cool lines to chill the beer as it travels to the tap tend to waste more beer than direct draw systems.
Foam and Spillage
– Having an inexperienced bartender who cannot properly pour a beer with the right amount of foam could decrease the yield.
– Sanitizing glasses with water before pouring can slightly reduce the amount of beer ultimately served.
– Any accidental spills from the tap or glasses being overfilled will also diminish the number of beers available.
Serving Temperature
– Colder temperatures, around 38-42°F, help to reduce foaming which maximizes the usable beer.
– Warmer temperatures approaching 50°F will cause more foam and waste.
How Many 12 oz Beers in a Keg?
If you want to know how many 12 ounce beers you can get from a keg, here is the math:
– 15.5 gallons in a keg
– 128 ounces in a gallon
– So 15.5 * 128 = 1984 ounces in a keg
– 1984 ounces / 12 ounces = 165 beers
So in total, a keg can pour about 165 beers in a 12 ounce serving size.
This is assuming a full keg with minimal waste. Again, variables like foam, spills, keg size discrepancies, and glassware size could make this vary slightly above or below 165 total 12 oz beers per 16 gallon keg.
Cost Savings of Kegs
Drinking beer from a keg rather than bottles or cans allows you to save some money. Let’s compare costs:
Bottled Beer
– 24 pack of 12 oz beers costs around $20
– That’s $0.83 per beer
Keg Beer
– 16 gallon keg costs around $100
– At 165 12 oz beers per keg, that’s $0.61 per beer
So you can save about 25% per beer by buying in kegs rather than in bottles. The savings are even greater when compared to buying beers individually at a bar or restaurant. You can save 40-50% or more per beer from a keg.
Of course you have to factor in the deposit cost for the keg shell itself and the cost of renting the tapping equipment. But overall, keg beer provides significant cost savings compared to other packaging.
Keg Beer Consumption Tips
To get the most out of your kegged beer, follow these tips:
- Store kegs cold at 38-42°F until ready to tap – this prevents foaming
- Use a short direct draw system if possible
- Chill glasses before pouring
- Pour gently, don’t agitate, and leave 1-2 fingers of foam
- Keep the keg cold during service – don’t let it warm up
- Clean taps and lines between kegs for best results
- Calculate how much beer you need ahead of time and don’t overbuy
- Consider recycling the shell when empty for rebate on deposit
Following these tips will ensure you maximize the amount of beer you can pour from each keg and avoid waste.
Key Takeaways
– A full 16 gallon “half-barrel” keg contains about 15.5 gallons of usable beer
– This equals around 124 16-ounce pint servings
– You can estimate 165 total 12-ounce beers in a 16 gallon keg
– Actual amounts may be slightly more or less depending on foam, spillage, serving methods, keg condition etc.
– Keg beer can save you 25% or more compared to bottles
– Store, pour and serve properly to minimize waste
Conclusion
Keg sizes can be confusing, but a standard 16 gallon or half-barrel keg realistically holds about 15.5 gallons of beer total when full. With typical pint glasses, this comes out to approximately 124 beers. When estimating 12 oz servings, you can expect around 165 beers from one 16 gallon keg.
Kegging your beer provides the most cost savings compared to bottles or cans. Just be sure to tap, pour and store the keg properly to maximize the usable amount of beer and avoid waste. And remember to be responsible when serving alcoholic beverages!
