The number of beers in a pitcher depends on the size of the pitcher and the size of the beer glasses being filled. Pitchers are typically designed to hold between 60-100 fluid ounces of liquid. Beer glasses on the other hand usually range from 6-22 ounces each. By dividing the pitcher size by the beer glass size, you can calculate approximately how many glasses can be poured from one pitcher.
Typical Pitcher Sizes
Here are some of the most common pitcher sizes:
- 60 oz pitcher – Holds approximately 5 12 oz beers or 7-8 16 oz beers
- 64 oz pitcher – Holds approximately 5-6 12 oz beers or 8 16 oz beers
- 72 oz pitcher – Holds approximately 6 12 oz beers or 9 16 oz beers
- 80 oz pitcher – Holds approximately 6-7 12 oz beers or 10 16 oz beers
- 96 oz pitcher – Holds approximately 8 12 oz beers or 12 16 oz beers
- 100 oz pitcher – Holds approximately 8-9 12 oz beers or 12-13 16 oz beers
As you can see, pitchers typically hold between 60-100 ounces of liquid. The most common sizes are 64oz and 72oz pitchers.
Typical Beer Glass Sizes
Here are some typical beer glass sizes:
- 6-8 oz glasses – Used for tasting/sampler beers
- 12 oz glasses – Standard size for a regular beer
- 16 oz pint glasses – Larger single serving size
- 20-22 oz glasses – Extra large single serving beers
The most common beer glass sizes are 12 oz and 16 oz. So most pitchers are designed to hold between 5-13 12 oz beers or 7-16 16 oz beers.
How Many 12 oz Beers in Common Pitcher Sizes
If using standard 12 oz beer glasses, here is how many beers the typical pitchers hold:
- 60 oz pitcher holds 5 beers
- 64 oz pitcher holds 5-6 beers
- 72 oz pitcher holds 6 beers
- 80 oz pitcher holds 6-7 beers
- 96 oz pitcher holds 8 beers
- 100 oz pitcher holds 8-9 beers
So in summary, most standard pitchers hold between 5-9 12oz beers, with 6-8 being the most common.
How Many 16 oz Pint Beers in Common Pitcher Sizes
If using 16 oz pint glasses, here is how many beers the typical pitchers hold:
- 60 oz pitcher holds approximately 7-8 beers
- 64 oz pitcher holds approximately 8 beers
- 72 oz pitcher holds approximately 9 beers
- 80 oz pitcher holds approximately 10 beers
- 96 oz pitcher holds approximately 12 beers
- 100 oz pitcher holds approximately 12-13 beers
So for 16 oz pint glasses, most standard pitchers will hold between 7-13 beers, with 8-12 being the most common.
Pitcher Size Recommendations
When choosing what size pitcher to purchase, here are some recommendations based on the number of people:
| Number of People | Recommended Pitcher Size |
|---|---|
| 2-3 people | 60-72 oz pitcher |
| 4-6 people | 72-96 oz pitcher |
| 6-8 people | 96-100 oz pitcher |
| 8-10 people | 100+ oz pitcher or multiple pitchers |
This provides a rough estimate of what size pitcher to get based on the number of people you are serving. Keep in mind if some people may want more than one glass of beer.
Factors That Affect Number of Beers in a Pitcher
There are a few factors that can affect how many beers you can actually pour from a pitcher:
- Foam/head – The foam or head on a poured beer takes up volume in the glass. The more foam, the less beer ends up in each glass.
- Spills – Inevitable spills and drips while pouring will reduce the final number of full glasses that can be poured.
- Glass shape – Glasses with wider rims or curves can impact the actual volume of beer held.
- Alcohol content – Higher alcohol beers and ales may be poured in smaller 6-8 oz servings, increasing the number of pours.
While these factors mean you won’t get exactly the calculated number of glasses per pitcher, the estimates provided give you a good starting point.
Do Pitchers Come in Standard Sizes?
While there are some common pitcher sizes like 64oz and 72oz, pitchers don’t necessarily come in standardized sizes. You can find pitchers in all different sizes ranging from 30oz up to over 128oz. Specialty and novelty pitchers may even be shaped differently while still holding a standard volume.
Pitchers used at bars, restaurants, and other commercial establishments are typically 64-72oz. But for household usage, the size can vary greatly based on personal preference. The number of people needing to be served will also impact what size works best.
Can You Order a Specific Size Pitcher at a Bar?
When ordering a pitcher at a bar or restaurant, in most cases you get whatever standard pitcher size they use for that beverage. The most common sizes are the 64oz and 72oz pitchers.
However, some establishments may allow you to request a specific size, like a 60oz or 96oz pitcher instead. There is usually an extra charge for requesting specialty or larger pitchers. Just ask your server if you have a particular size pitcher in mind when ordering your drinks.
Pitcher Etiquette and Tips
Here are some helpful pitcher etiquette tips when enjoying beer pitchers with a group:
- Pour each glass slowly and carefully to reduce foam and spillage. This maximizes the number of glasses per pitcher.
- Only pour as much as each person wants. Don’t overload the glass.
- Wait until everyone’s glass is empty before pouring the next round.
- Rinse pitchers between different types of beers to keep the flavors separate.
- Add extra pitchers to the order if needed, don’t let one pitcher run dry.
- Appoint one person as the designated pitcher pourer to control pacing.
Proper pouring technique and pacing the rounds leads to an enjoyable experience for everyone.
Fun Pitcher Drinking Games
Beyond just casual drinking, pitchers can enable some fun drinking games with a group. Here are a few popular ones to try:
- Flip Cup – Teams race to drink their beer and flip their cup at the other end of the table.
- Beer Pong – Toss a ping pong ball into the other team’s cups. When you make it, they drink.
- Quarters – Bounce a quarter into the pitcher. If it goes in, someone drinks.
- King’s Cup – Pull cards from around a pitcher and obey custom rules based on the card drawn.
Just remember to assign a sober driver or install a rideshare app before engaging in any drinking games. Stay safe and responsible.
FAQs
What’s the standard beer pitcher size?
The most common and standard pitcher sizes used in bars, restaurants, and other establishments are 64oz and 72oz.
How much beer is in a 60 oz pitcher?
A 60 oz pitcher holds approximately 5 12 oz beers or 7-8 16 oz pint beers.
How much is a pitcher of beer at a bar?
The cost of a pitcher of beer at a bar varies widely by geographical area and establishment. But on average, a 64oz domestic beer pitcher costs around $10-15 in most places.
What’s the difference between a pitcher and a growler?
A pitcher is a serving container meant for dispensing multiple glasses of draft beer at a time. A growler is a reusable container used to transport draft beer from the brewery or taproom for off-site consumption.
How long does an open beer pitcher last?
An open pitcher of beer will typically last 2-3 hours before the quality and taste starts to decline. Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 24-48 hours.
Conclusion
Understanding standard pitcher sizes and how many beers they hold is helpful for planning parties or just enjoying a few cold ones with friends. Keep the provided measurements and recommendations in mind, but don’t stress too much about being precise. The goal is to have fun and be responsible while unwinding over some tasty pitchers of beer.
