Keg calculator
Convert any beer count into kegs. One half-barrel keg ≈ 165 twelve-ounce beers — the unit every caterer thinks in.
Keg sizes at a glance
| Keg | Volume | 12 oz pours | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half barrel | 15.5 gal | ~165 | The standard wedding keg; matches a 100-guest beer plan almost exactly |
| Quarter barrel (pony) | 7.75 gal | ~82 | Second style, or a 50-guest event |
| Sixth barrel (sixtel) | 5.16 gal | ~55 | Craft or premium style alongside a main keg |
Not sure how many beers you need in the first place? Start with the wedding drink calculator, then bring the beer number back here.
Frequently asked questions
How many beers are in a keg?
A half-barrel keg (the standard 15.5-gallon keg) holds about 165 twelve-ounce pours. A quarter barrel (pony keg, 7.75 gal) holds about 82, and a sixth barrel (sixtel, 5.16 gal) about 55.
How many kegs do I need for 100 guests?
The 100-guest wedding plan calls for 164 beers — almost exactly one half-barrel keg. But a keg is all-or-nothing for one beer style, so most couples split: one keg of a crowd-pleaser plus a couple of cases of something different.
Keg or cases — which is cheaper?
Per pour, a keg usually wins once you would buy 5+ cases of the same beer. Against that: keg deposits, a tap/kegerator rental, and the fact that an opened keg does not keep. Cases win on variety and leftovers.
How long does a tapped keg keep?
With a proper CO₂ kegerator, weeks. With a hand pump (party tap), the beer oxidises within about a day — plan to finish it at the event.