How the keg calculator works
The calculator divides the keg volume by your serving size to find how many drinks a keg pours, then compares that to the total your guests will drink to tell you how many kegs to order. Real world yield is a little lower than the math because of foam and the last flat inches, so it pays to round up, which this tool does when counting kegs.
Keg sizes and how many beers they hold
A standard half barrel keg holds 15.5 gallons, about 165 twelve ounce cups or 124 pints. A quarter barrel holds half that, a sixth barrel or sixtel holds about 56 pints, and a homebrew Cornelius keg holds roughly five gallons. Knowing the cup size matters: switching from 12 ounce cups to 16 ounce pints cuts the servings per keg by a quarter.
How many kegs for your party
Estimate two to three drinks per guest for a typical few hour party, more for a long event or a heavy crowd. For 40 guests at three drinks each you need about 120 servings, which a single half barrel covers with room to spare. Order an extra quarter or sixtel as backup if you are close to the line.
Keep it cold and pour clean
Beer pours best around 38 degrees Fahrenheit, so chill the keg for a day before tapping and keep it iced in a tub or kegerator at the party. Pour at a 45 degree angle into a tilted cup to control foam, and let a freshly moved keg settle before pouring to avoid a glass of foam.
Frequently asked questions
How many beers in a half barrel keg? About 165 twelve ounce servings or 124 pints, before foam losses.
How many kegs for 100 guests? At three drinks each that is about 300 servings, close to two half barrels.
How long does a tapped keg last? A few days to a couple of weeks on ice for most kegs, but flavor is best within the first day or two once tapped with a party pump.
Related calculators: Party Beverage, Ice Melt, Drink Batch.