A beer keg is a necessity for all beer lovers and for those who take their home bar seriously. The article below briefs you about beer kegs and the different sizes available.
A keg is a cylindrical hollow container. It holds alcoholic, non alcoholic, and carbonated drinks in large quantities facilitating its transport and storage. It can be housed as well. A normal refrigerator can also be converted to a kegerator using a conversion kit, which costs you way less than buying an actual one. Kegs are usually made of aluminum, wood or steel. Carrying one with your favorite drink stored in it is very convenient when at a party or get-together. It holds drinks in large quantities without spoiling its taste.
Characteristics
A beer keg, as the name suggests, holds beer, and is usually made of stainless steel, and at times of aluminum or wood. It has a single opening at the top end, from where the liquid inside is dispensed. It has a tube in the middle called a spear that extends from the opening end to the other end. There is a self-closing valve at the top of this spear. Right next to it is an opening that allows the gas (normally, carbon dioxide) to force out beer from the keg into your glass.
There are two types of taps in these kegs that force the beer out, one being the “party pump” while the other is the “gas tap”. The party tap uses air to pump the drink out, hence introducing the outside oxygen, bacteria and other contaminates that reduce the quality of beer. Kegs operating on the party tap mechanism have to be utilized within 18-20 hours. If you want the beer to last longer, carbon dioxide should be used to create pressure. The use of carbon dioxide reduces outside contaminates, hence retaining the original taste. Gas pump kegs can preserve the quality up to 120 days with proper refrigeration. The kegs have to be kept in a bucket of ice or cold water so as to maintain the low temperature.
Sizes And Variety
The standard sizes are ½, 50 liters, ¼ and ⅙ keg. These dimensions are used by manufacturers and dealers in storage and distribution. With such fixed specifications, it is easier for both the consumers and dealers to understand the quantity of beer being exchanged.
| Standard Sizes | ||||
| Specifications | ½ Keg | 50 Liter Keg | ¼ Keg (Pony Keg) | ⅙ Keg (Torpedo Keg) |
| Height | 23 inches | 20 inches | 23 inches | 23 inches |
| Diameter | 17 inches | 17 inches | 11 inches | 9 inches |
| Weight | 161 lbs | 133 lbs | 84 lbs | 53 lbs |
| Freezing point | 29 °F | 29 °F | 29 °F | 29 °F |
| Contents | 16-18 gallons | 13-15 gallons | 7-9 gallons | 3-5 gallons |
| 12oz Servings | 165 glasses | 140 glasses | 82 glasses | 53 glasses |
| 16oz Servings | 124 glasses | 105 glasses | 62 glasses | 42 glasses |
| 20oz Servings | 99 glasses | 84 glasses | 49 glasses | 33 glasses |
Servings
For personal use, there are various sizes that would suit your purpose or occasion. A corny keg is most commonly used to store and dispense beer made at home. Hence, it is also called “Home Brew”. Mini kegs are single use, recyclable, small-sized kegs. They are commonly called “Bubba”. They are used at small parties or a get-together at home. You can also place these mini kegs in your car to use on a long road trip. A slim quarter keg is perfect if you are planning to convert your refrigerator to a kegerator.
| Different Beer Keg Servings and Sizes | ||||
| Specifications | Mini Keg (Bubba) | Corny Keg (Home Brew) | Slim Quarter Keg | Wall (“99 Bottles of Beer”) |
| Contents | 2 gallons | 5 gallons | 8 gallons | 9 gallons |
| Weight | 60 lbs | 87 lbs | 95 lbs | – |
| 12oz Servings | 14 glasses | 53 glasses | 82 glasses | 99 glasses |
| 16oz Servings | 10 glasses | 40 glasses | 62 glasses | 74 glasses |
| 20oz Servings | 8 glasses | 32 glasses | 49 glasses | 59 glasses |
The above information will help you choose the right beer keg for any occasion, be it a party or an addition to your home bar. You can also rent one if you do not have any long-term use of the commodity. Ask the supplier you normally buy beer from about these options. But if you are a home brewer, then a beer keg is the ideal addition to your brewing kit.