The Most Popular Keg Sizes Among the US Breweries

One could feel a little overwhelmed by the quantity of names and numbers associated with beer keg sizes. Each of these keg types has unique qualities, but knowing what you get can help you choose the right keg for your brewery.

Furthermore, you won't require them all at once and you just need to choose the most suitable one. Learn about the most popular sizes of kegs among the US craft and commercial breweries based on the 2023 UBC Group USA sales report. Let's begin!

Standard American Beer Keg Sizes

There are several different standard US keg sizes, mostly based on how, where, and by whom they will be used. Naturally, understanding the differences between commercial beer keg sizes can help you choose wisely depending on your goals.

Despite the fact that modern stainless steel kegs for breweries come in a variety of sizes, they are all descended from a historical liquid volume measurement system called the "barrel" in the United States. The half, quarter, and sixth of a barrel were obtained from this barrel, which equated to 31 US gallons.

You may easily convert any of these keg sizes into liters, fluid ounces, or just regular beer bottles or cans, depending on your preference.

Let's explore the American keg sizes in more detail.

Sanke Keg Size Chart

Before getting into the sizes of the kegs, let’s discuss the general style. Most commercial beer kegs are known as Sanke kegs (short for sanitary key).

They are simple, efficient, and have a single valve located at the top that serves as the gateway for beer and gas, facilitating the seamless flow of draft beer from keg to glass.

Sanke kegs come in a variety of sizes and styles to cater to different needs. Here is the most common Sanke keg sizes chart:

• 5.16 gallon (⅙ barrel) - if you supply beer mostly to small-size establishments, sixtel keg is the way to go!
• 7.75 gallon (¼ barrel) - the best option for breweries cooperating with medium businesses with a moderate demand for draft beer;
• 15.5gallon (½ barrel) - the most common choice for breweries dealing with many restaurants and pubs, it is also known as a half-barrel.

Please refer to the beer keg sizes chart below to see all keg types and sizes which you can purchase in the United States.

The Most Common Sanke Keg Sizes Detailed

1/2 Barrel Keg Size

Most people think of half barrel kegs when they hear the word "keg," as they are the most widely used type. In general, a 1/2 keg size is regarded as the typical keg. These are the standard keg size that is supplied to restaurants, taprooms, and bars, and it also fits any commercial kegerator. For years, people have used the 50 liter keg size to pour large brews.

The 1/2 barrel keg size is the largest standard keg. A full size full barrel keg has a diameter of 16⅛" and stands 23⅜" tall. They have a capacity of 15.5 gallons (1984 oz), or roughly 165⅓ 12-oz bottles or cans. That is equivalent to 124 16-oz pints. A 1/2 bbl keg size weighs approx 30 pounds when empty and roughly 160 pounds when full, making them difficult to carry.

While most of the keg varieties on this list have numerous nicknames, the half keg size is regarded as the full-size keg and the only one that is regularly referred to as a "keg."

1/4 Barrel Keg Size

1/4 keg size comes in two different variations - standard quarter and slim quarter. Both of these varieties have the same capacity - the 1/4 bbl keg size is 7.75 gal (29.3 liters). That's about 62 pints of beer.

A standard quarter keg size is 13⅞" by 16⅛", it is short and wide. These kegs stack well and fit neatly inside a single refrigerator or kegerator. But only one keg at a time can be tapped when stacked.

A slim quarter is the second version of the 1/4 barrel keg size, as we have already stated. It differs from its stubby brother in terms of height and shape. The slim quarter is taller and thinner, which is why its nickname is "the tall quarter."

A slim type of 30l keg size holds 7.75 gallons (992 ounces) of beer. This comes up to about 62 pints, which is a significant quantity.

1/6 Barrel Keg Size

1/6 barrel keg size is a smaller sankey-style beer keg out there. They are sometimes referred to as Sixtels, Torpedo Kegs, or Log Kegs. 1/6th keg size is identical to a half-barrel Sanke keg, with the exception that it holds 5.16 gallons.

The 1/6 keg size dimensions are 9¼" in diameter and 23⅜" tall. When empty, they weigh roughly 14 pounds, and when filled, a 1/6 bbl keg size weighs about 58 pounds. They have a capacity of ⅙ a beer barrel, or 5.16 gallons (661 ounces). As a result, 55 12-oz cans or bottles or 41⅓ pints of beer can be stored in each 20 liter keg size.

These kegs have been gaining popularity because many craft breweries prefer this size for their small-batch experiments. Furthermore, because Sixth Barrel Kegs take up less space than their bigger brothers, many beer-minded restaurateurs who wish to serve their clients a wide range will choose them.

The Most Popular Keg Sizes Among Breweries in the United States

UBC Group USA is a reputable US-owned and operated supplier of kegs, keg accessories as well as stainless steel tanks for breweries. Our sales data indicates that different kinds of breweries have varying preferences when it comes to kegs.

For instance, 1/2 kegs are popular among large commercial breweries, they are like the workhorses of the U.S. brewing industry. They are robust, easy to clean, and ideal for keeping big volumes of beverages.

1/4 kegs are popular among craft breweries. They are easily stackable, making them a perfect option for limited storage spaces.

And the last, but not the least 1/6 kegs are popular among small-batch or microbreweries. They are often used in dual or triple-tap kegerators to offer a range of options without the need for numerous kegerators because two or three of these kegs will fit into one standard kegerator cabinet. This is an ideal option for bars, restaurants, and breweries with limited space.

What Size Keg Should You Get for Your Brewery?

While size isn't always important, it matters when talking about kegs, and larger isn't always better. It all depends on what kind of keg best meets your needs. We at UBC Group USA may be a little too enthusiastic about kegs, but we want to share our enthusiasm and our knowledge with you.

Empty beer kegs for sale come in a wide range of sizes, so deciding what size keg I need can be challenging. The amount of beer you will be using and the amount you want to store determine the size of the beer keg to opt for.

If it is your first time purchasing beer kegs, you can find out what size kegs do bars use or consult with a beer keg manufacturer or supplier prior to making a purchase. They will provide you with all tech data of beer kegs, such as capacity, weight, dimensions, etc.

Keg size is also very important because it defines how well you can use the available space in your brewery. Keep in mind that the diameter and height of barrels are the factors that determine the convenience of storage.

Another crucial parameter is weight. Barrels are supposed to be transported and moved in the process of brewing, and large models can weigh a lot when filled with drinks.

When thinking about what size kegs can you buy, it is also advisable to consider material, service life, the type of beer you serve, ease of use, environmental friendliness, and supplier.

UBC Group USA has been a manufacturer and seller of high-quality beer equipment for 30 years:

• We sell top-quality European Schaefer kegs made of 304 stainless steel;
• Thanks to special technologies, these kegs come 15-30% lighter than regular stainless-steel kegs, which is very convenient in production;
• Strong keg body easily withstands any mechanical impact;
• Being an official distributor of Schaefer Container Systems in the USA, we can offer more competitive pricing for all our customers.

Make sure to check out the personalized beer keg options and keg deals we have to offer. Feel free to reach out to our sales team to discuss your brewery’s keg needs.