If you’re a homebrewer at some point you need to hold and store all that beer you just made. We’re charting out beer keg sizes and beer keg prices to help you determine what keg is best for you. Obviously, you can bottle or can your beer. But for larger events or if you have a kegerator than you may want to put all of that beer in a keg.
Kegging is easier, cleaner, and faster than bottling or canning beer. It offers the convenience of being able to draw any amount of your craft beer that you want. Also, kegging beer gives a lot of flexibility in controlling carbonation more efficiently, filtering, flavoring through draft tower filters and doing post ferment dry-hopping, among other fun tricks.
You still need to decide which is the best kegging system for you. We’re listing out the most common beer keg sizes and prices you can expect to pay for each empty keg so you can make an informed decision. Since kegs have many components we’re going to list a range you can expect to pay for your kegging system.
Beer Keg Sizes and Prices
The keg size chart and tables shown are a quick reference guide to beer keg sizes, specifications, and prices. We want to make a note that when it comes to beer keg prices that most prices shown are within a range found through various internet sources. Also, the keg prices range because fittings and gaskets may or may not be included with each keg which will affect the price. We will go into more details for each type of keg in their section
Mini Keg
The Mini Keg allows you to serve fresh draft beer in your home without having to buy a kegerator or build a home bar. The mini keg size is great if you have a small space or brew in smaller batches, especially, if you brew one gallon beer recipes. Also, this keg is very economical for homebrewers. You don’t need to invest in a CO2 system to use a mini keg.
What else is great about the mini keg? Because of its small size and light weight when full of beer (about 13 pounds) it’s easy to transport. Want to bring it to a friends house? No problem! Hell, I kind of want to bring one to my beer league hockey games!
The downside is that these kegs normally need to be special ordered by wholesalers from Europe. Because the mini keg is not a very common size the kegs are usually imported. So you would need to buy a mini keg from an online retailer specializing in beer supplies rather than going to a one-stop-shop like Amazon. With all that being said the mini keg is still a very inexpensive option to kegging beer.
Beer Keg Sizes And Prices Chart- Mini Keg
| Quick Reference Chart | Mini Keg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions – Height: | 9 7/8″ |
| Dimensions – Diameter: | 6 3/4″ |
| Full Weight: | 13 LBS |
| Empty Weight: | 1.74 LBS |
| Capacity in Gallons: | 1.32 Gallons |
| Common Uses: | Sold by Retail Stores Small Batch Brewers |
| Capacity – 12oz Beers: | 14 |
| Capacity – 16oz Beers: | 10.6 |
| Capacity – Growlers (64oz): | 2.64 |
| Capacity in Cases: | .58 cases |
| Capacity in Litres: | 5 Litres |
| Nicknames: | Bubba Keg |
| Beer Keg Prices (Estimated): | $15.00 – $20.00 |
A Pressurized Growler As A Mini Keg System
A pressurized growler can also be used as a mini keg system. We’ve done a full review on several pressurized growlers so you can see if it’s right for you. The mini keg size for these growlers typically comes in 64 and 128 ounces with a general price range of $90.00 to $180.00 depending on the size of the growler and it’s specs.
If you don’t brew your own beer at home but love craft beer you’ll love a pressurized growler since microbreweries will fill it and the beer will stay fresh for weeks.
Like a keg, the pressurized growler will also keep your beer cold for six to eight hours and will fit in a standard refrigerator. You can also control the pressure of the CO2 for the growler which gives you a lot of control for the oxygen so you can control the freshness of the beer.
Since there are many different companies that make a pressurized growler there aren’t really any standardized weights and dimensions to list for these pressurized mini kegs. Therefore, it’s difficult to show a mini keg chart for each of the pressurized growlers.
What we can say is that we love them if you’re into homebrewing or craft beers. It’s a great way to keep beer fresh and share with others.
Cornelius Keg
The Cornelius Keg is probably the most common keg used by homebrewers. This keg type is available between 2.5 and 5 gallons. This means that there are various beer keg sizes associated with the corny keg. The most popular size is the 5 gallon keg, which is a tall cylinder that looks like a scuba tank with a flat top. Smaller 2.5 and 3 gallon kegs are nice if you have limited refrigerator space or want some beer on the go. The Corny keg is suitable for storing beer for a year, or even much longer, if the keg is maintained properly.
For years, Cornelius kegs were the same kegs that were used to dispense soda. Since the industry switched to a bag-in-box systems a lot of used Corny kegs can be found on the market.
There are a couple of downsides to the corny kegs. There are a lot of places for leaks to occur. If you look at one you will see so many O-rings that your head might spin. That last sentence should give an indication that there are a lot of parts in a corny keg. That means that there are a lot of parts to clean including the dip tube. Lastly, if you do run into a problem and need to replace a part they can get expensive.
Beer Keg Sizes And Prices Chart – Cornelius (Corny) Keg
| Quick Reference Chart | Cornelius Keg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions – Height: | 23″ |
| Dimensions – Diameter: | 9″ |
| Full Weight: | 55 LBS |
| Empty Weight: | 9 LBS |
| Capacity in Gallons: | 5 Gallons |
| Common Uses: | Home Brewers Craft Brewers |
| Capacity – 12oz Beers: | 53 |
| Capacity – 16oz Beers: | 40 |
| Capacity – Growlers (64oz): | 10 |
| Capacity in Cases: | 2.2 Cases |
| Capacity in Litres: | 18.9 Litres |
| Nicknames: | Corny Keg Soda Keg Homebrew Keg |
| Beer Keg Prices (Estimated): | $70.00 – $100.00 |
1/6 (Sixth) Barrel Keg
The Sixth Barrel Keg is roughly the same size as the Corny Keg, just slightly larger. A main difference between a sixtel and a corny keg is that the sixtel will have a commercial style connection (rather than ball/pin lock fittings). This smaller sized keg functions just like larger kegs, but the sixth barrel keg holds less beer than other types of kegs. This keg is commonly used for personal use in dual or triple-tap kegerators, craft breweries and restaurants, or those that are serving high gravity beers.
This size keg is also a great choice for restaurants or bars that have little space available. It allows them to have a large variety of beer available for their customers in that small space.
Beer Keg Sizes And Prices Chart – 1/6 (Sixth) Barrel Keg
| Quick Reference Chart | 1/6 (Sixth) Barrel Keg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions – Height: | 23 3/8″ |
| Dimensions – Diameter: | 9 1/4″ |
| Full Weight: | 58 LBS |
| Empty Weight: | 16.5 LBS |
| Capacity in Gallons: | 5.16 Gallons |
| Common Uses: | Micro Breweries |
| Capacity – 12oz Beers: | 55 |
| Capacity – 16oz Beers: | 41 |
| Capacity – Growlers (64oz): | 10.32 |
| Capacity in Cases: | 2.3 Cases |
| Capacity in Litres: | 19.5 Litres |
| Nicknames: | Torpedo Keg Log Sixth Barrel Sixtel |
| Beer Keg Prices (Estimated): | $100.00 – $125.00 |
1/4 (Quarter) Barrel Keg
The Quarter barrel keg is the same width (16 ⅛”) as a full barrel, but approximately 10″ shorter in height. So basically, this looks like the keg you’re used to seeing at parties but a stubby version. Hence it’s nickname the “Stubby Quarter” keg.
Beer Keg Sizes And Prices – Quarter Barrel Keg
| Quick Reference Chart | Quarter Barrel Keg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions – Height: | 13.875″ |
| Dimensions – Diameter: | 16.125″ |
| Full Weight: | 87 LBS |
| Empty Weight: | 22 LBS |
| Capacity in Gallons: | 7.75 Gallons |
| Common Uses: | Dual Tap Kegerators Triple Tap Kegerators Small Space Bars |
| Capacity – 12oz Beers: | 82 |
| Capacity – 16oz Beers: | 62 |
| Capacity – Growlers (64oz): | 15.5 |
| Capacity in Cases: | 3.4 Cases |
| Capacity in Litres: | 29.3 Litres |
| Nicknames: | Pony Keg Tall Quarter |
| Beer Keg Prices (Estimated): | $125.00 – $150.00 |
Slim Quarter Keg
The Slim Quarter Keg holds the same exact amount of beer as a Quarter barrel. However, the shape and size resembles the sixth barrel keg. This variation in size makes it a popular choice for anyone with a dual-tap kegerator.
The height is the same as the Sixth barrel, but has a slightly larger width. This extra width allows it to hold an extra two gallons, which equals an extra 27.5 bottles of beer.
Beer Keg Sizes And Prices Chart – Slim Quarter Keg
| Quick Reference Chart | Slim Quarter Keg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions – Height: | 23 3/8″ |
| Dimensions – Diameter: | 11 1/8″ |
| Full Weight: | 87 LBS |
| Empty Weight: | 22 LBS |
| Capacity in Gallons: | 7.75 Gallons |
| Common Uses: | Dual Tap Kegerators |
| Capacity – 12oz Beers: | 82 |
| Capacity – 16oz Beers: | 62 |
| Capacity – Growlers (64oz): | 15.5 |
| Capacity in Cases: | 3.4 Cases |
| Capacity in Litres: | 29.3 Litres |
| Nicknames: | Tall Quarter The Slim |
| Beer Keg Prices (Estimated): | $125.00 – $150.00 |
50 Litre Keg
We are including the 50 litre keg in our sizes, but this will likely not be the keg you will use. The 50 litre keg is the most common of all the beer keg sizes when European countries export their beer to the United States. The most common uses would be for breweries or very large parties or events.
Beer Keg Sizes And Prices Chart – 50 Litre Keg
| Quick Reference Chart | 50 Litre Keg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions – Height: | 20.94″ |
| Dimensions – Diameter: | 16 1/8″ |
| Full Weight: | 130 LBS |
| Empty Weight: | 28 LBS |
| Capacity in Gallons: | 13.2 Gallons |
| Common Uses: | European Breweries |
| Capacity – 12oz Beers: | 140 |
| Capacity – 16oz Beers: | 105 |
| Capacity – Growlers (64oz): | 26.4 |
| Capacity in Cases: | 5.8 Cases |
| Capacity in Litres: | 50 Litres |
| Nicknames: | Import Keg European Barrel 50 Liter |
| Beer Keg Prices (Estimated): | $250-$300 |
Half Barrel Keg
When it comes to beer keg sizes a half barrel keg is probably the one that most of you are familiar with. The half keg is the one that shows up at most parties. This full size keg is the largest that is available to you, and what is commonly used in bars and restaurants. Most home kegerators will fit this half keg, however, some of the smaller kegs in the market are typically more popular among craft beer drinkers. In fact, these half kegs are really meant more for commercial use rather than your home.
Beer Keg Sizes And Prices Chart – Half Barrel Keg
| Quick Reference Chart | Half Barrel Keg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions – Height: | 23 3/8″ |
| Dimensions – Diameter: | 16 1/8″ |
| Full Weight: | 160 LBS |
| Empty Weight: | 30 LBS |
| Capacity in Gallons: | 15.5 Gallons |
| Common Uses: | American Breweries |
| Capacity – 12oz Beers: | 165 |
| Capacity – 16oz Beers: | 124 |
| Capacity – Growlers (64oz): | 31 |
| Capacity in Cases: | 6.9 Cases |
| Capacity in Litres: | 58 Litres |
| Nicknames: | Half Barrel Full Keg Keg |
| Beer Keg Prices (Estimated): | $150.00 – $175.00 |
Conclusion
Kegging beer is a fun and great alternative to bottling or canning. Knowing beer keg sizes and beer keg prices is a great first step to determining what will suit you best. Whether you’re brewing in small or large batches there is certainly a keg that will suit your needs. So instead of cracking open a beer make the choice to just pull down the lever.