How Many Beers Do You Actually Get Out Of A Keg? It Depends

Due to their association with heavy partying, kegs tend to have a less-than-perfect reputation. Still, when they're shared and consumed responsibly, kegs are a cost-effective way to enjoy the best beers without the massive cleanup that comes with cans and bottles.

So, what exactly is a keg? Think of it as a big metal barrel with a straw. These days, most kegs are made from stainless steel, and they're sealed, airtight containers that hold plenty of beer without letting it get flat. When you tap a keg, you essentially start the process of getting that beer flowing through a large straw — and when you pump it, you're creating pressure on the beer's surface that sends that beer up through the tube and into your cup.

While you might not wonder about all these things when you're preparing for a tailgate or party, you certainly have one thing at the top of your mind: "How many kegs do I need?" Of course, that depends on how many people drink and the size of the keg. Here's how many beers a keg holds (hint: size matters).

The number of beers in a keg depends on its size. There are six types of kegs, all with different names and sizes. The smallest is appropriately named the mini keg; it holds just 14 12-ounce pours and can be kept right in the refrigerator. It's typically for personal use or very small gatherings. Following that is the Cornelius keg, which is the most common keg for home brewers. It's substantially larger than the mini keg, holding 53 12-ounce pours. The sixth-barrel keg — also used for home brewing or serving multiple types of beer in a smaller space — is only slightly bigger, holding three more 12-ounce pours than the Cornelius.

Next up are both the quarter-barrel and the slim-quarter. The quarter-barrel is short and wide, while the slim-quarter is tall and thin, but both hold the same quantity: 82 12-ounce pours. This one is used for large gatherings or parties.

Finally, the largest available is the half-barrel, commonly called a full keg. This is the keg you would likely get if you held a large event with many people, and it holds a whopping 165 12-ounce pours.

With so many options holding so many different quantities of beer, it's hard to know what kind of keg you need if you plan on hosting a gathering. There is no perfect rule of thumb, but it's important to consider how many people you're hosting and how many beers you think each will drink. If you have some friends who drink a little more than others, you may want to assume the average partygoer will have four beers over the course of a couple of hours. In this case, a mini keg might suffice for a group of three or four people. However, if you're having a sizeable get-together with around 20 people, the quarter-barrel and the slim-quarter is the way to go. And for significant parties of about 40 people, consider renting a full-size keg. Of course, adjust the number depending on your crowd. Though people should always consume responsibly, you might want to size up – or order two kegs – if you're worried there won't be enough beer to go around.