How Much Does a Keg Weigh: The Ultimate Keg Size Guide

If you find yourself wondering “How much does a keg weigh?” then the answer can be found right here. A full keg, also known as a half-barrel keg, is the standard size of keg in the United States. The weight of this full kef is about 160 pounds. This guide will tell you more about the different sizes of kegs and how much each of them weighs with and without beer weight.

How Much Does a Beer Keg Weigh?

In the U.S, the standard size of a keg is a full keg (also called a half keg), which holds up to 130 pounds of beer weight and weighs about 30 pounds when empty. The answer to this question depends on the size of the keg in which the beer is being stored. There are many different sizes of kegs available in the market.

The total weight of the keg depends on two main things, one, the size of the keg and two, the amount of beer left in the keg. Every keg weighs differently with and without beer, so it is very important to know how to calculate the weight of the keg correctly to avoid running out of beer.

– How Many Beers Can Fit in a Keg?

A half keg can carry about 15.5 gallons of beer, which equates to up to 124 pints of beer. This means a half keg can fit up to 165 bottles of beer that are 12 oz in size. The number of beers that fit in a keg again depends on the size of the keg.

A keg is a good idea if you are having a party that would last for over 6 hours. Kegs keep the beers cold for a long time. You won’t need to make special room for your beer in the refrigerator and your home would look neater with your beers arranged in a keg.

Available Keg Sizes in the Market

Kegs are the most important instruments that help decide how good a beer is going to taste and how long it will last. Kegs help keep beers in a good condition as they withstand pressure from outside and inside.

It helps store, transport and serve beer. There are five primary keg beer sizes where each stores a different quantity of beer and weighs differently. This keg weight chart below will give you all the information you need.

– Full Size Keg or a Half Keg

As mentioned earlier in the article, this keg is one of the biggest keg sizing available in the market. It is also called a half-barrel keg and the king of all kegs. Perfect for commercial purposes and large events, frat parties and expert homebrewing, these kegs are also frequently used at restaurants and bars which are built big.

So how much does a half keg weigh? This keg weighs 30 pounds when empty and can hold up to 130 pounds of beer in it. It can hold up to 124 16-ounce pints or 165 12-ounce cans or bottles. This is a standard-size keg across America.

– 50L Keg

This size of the keg is also known as a European barrel or an imported keg. This is the European equivalent of half-barrel kegs.

These kegs do not use traditional US Sankey D coupler, so you might need the right compatible equipment for this one. Most breweries in Europe use this size, therefore making it a standard keg size across the European continent. It serves best at large events like a wedding.

How Much Does This Keg Weigh?

A 50L keg weight is about 27 pounds when empty, and it weighs 130 pounds when full. This keg can hold up to 103 pounds of beer. This means it can fit in up to 105 16-ounce pints of beer or approximately 140 12-ounce cans or bottles.

– Quarter Barrel Keg or a Pony Keg

A pony keg is also called a stubby quarter. It is very similar to a slim quarter keg or a tall quarter, as it is famously known. However, the slim quarter keg is about 10 inches taller and five inches thinner than a quarter keg. This one is ideal for small parties or get-togethers, and it is used in single tap kegerators.

The stubby quarter weighs 87 pounds when full and just about 22 pounds when empty. It can therefore fit up to 65 pounds of beer. This makes for 62 16-ounce pints or 82 12-ounce bottles or cans inside the quarter barrel keg.

– Sixth Barrel Keg

This is the world’s second-smallest keg. It is perfect for homebrewers, especially the ones who have just started out their brewing journey. It is also known as sixtel, torpedo or a one-sixth barrel keg.

This is typically used in dual or triple-tap kegerators, and it is ideal for restaurants and bars with limited space for storage. Some people even use it for homebrewing.

How Much Does a Sixth Barrel Keg Weigh?

The full weight of this keg is just under 60 pounds. It weighs about 15 pounds when empty, therefore allowing a 43-pound worth of space for fitting in beers. It can fit in around 41 16-ounce pints of beer or 55 12-ounce cans or bottles.

– Cornelius Keg

This little one is the smallest keg ever made. It is also called the corny keg or a mini keg. This keg has recently gained popularity as the bubba keg, homebrew keg and soda keg. It is designed for mini kegerators.

These kegs are perfect for small bars, serving a small customer count or at a small event where less than 50 bottles need to be served. It can also be used for small camping trips or any other portable purpose.

How Much Does a Mini-keg Weigh?

This little one weighs just about 55 pounds when full and 10.5 pounds when empty, thereby allowing a beer occupancy of 44.5 pounds. It can fit under 40 16-ounce pints of beer or up to 53 12-ounce cans or bottles.

Most Recommended Kegs

Kegco 24” wide tap black kegerator is a high-quality keg to invest in. The saba 1/2 barrel beer keg dispenser refrigerator cooler with 2 double tap towers is an excellent purchase if you are someone who wants a keg for their bar or restaurant.

You could also buy a bronco pump beer keg new tap draft brew pump pp602. It is a durable party pump perfect for a draft beer pour. If you are looking for cheaper options, Fruh Kolsch beer keg 5l is the perfect mini keg for homebrewing at only $30.

A full keg and a European barrel would cost about $200 and that of a quarter barrel is between $100 to $150. A Sixth barrel can cost between $70 to $120 while a mini keg is the cheapest at $20.

– Beer Kegs

Heineken launched the Dos Equis Beer Lager Especial 5 liter keg to expand the draft experience outside of the bars and restaurants.

Aside from Heineken, Bitburger has also launched a 5L mini keg of their famous beer. This beer has a good body, high levels of carbonation and has an overall refreshing character and flavor. It is perfect for a mid-day drink as it is light, crisp and easily available.

FAQ

Here is a commonly-asked question about beer keg weights.

– How Heavy Are Kegs in KG?

A full gallon keg weighs up to 72.8 kg, while a 50l weighs up to 58.9 kg. A quarter keg weighs up to 39.4 kg, a sixth barrel weighs up to 27.2 kg, and the mini keg weighs up to 24.9 kg.

Conclusion

Kegs come in different shapes and sizes. We have discussed the five main types and sizes available globally, so whether you are a homebrewer or a bar owner, a keg is always a good idea.

• A half keg is the standard keg used across America.
• A European keg or a 50L keg is the equal competitor to a half keg and is mostly used in European countries.
• A good quality keg can cost anywhere between $150 to $1000 for the half barrel ones and the mini ones can cost as low as $30.

Now that you have all the information about the sizes and weights of different kegs, which one are you investing in? If you regularly host events or parties with booze, investing in a keg is always a good idea.