If you are the owner of the brewery, then you surely have thought about where to get the right kegs for sale.
Kegs are the best choice for brewing, carbonizing and long-term beer storage. Quality kegs ensure that the drink remains fresh and delicious.
Kegs are also preferable to traditional bottles or cans, as they are easier to store and fill. In addition, kegs are much more cost-effective for the brewery due to the reduced cost of materials, bottling and packaging.
Finally, the kegs save time and energy for the brewery staff as they can be quickly filled and stored.
It remains only to decide which barrel sizes are best suited for your tasks and where they can be purchased.
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Beer Keg Sizes and Dimensions
Beer kegs come in a variety of sizes, from a 1.32-gallon mini-barrel to a 15.5-gallon semi-barrel.
The size of beer kegs varies depending on where they will be used and what the production capacity of your enterprise is.
Let’s dwell on those models that are most in demand at modern breweries:
- Corny Keg
Perhaps the smallest type of barrel that can be used in a beer factory. As a rule, they are popular among domestic brewers, but can also be used in enterprises. For example, if you test a new recipe or you need to prepare a very small batch of the product.
The Cornelius Keg range is 1.5, 2.378, 3, 5 and 10 gallons.
The most popular in this segment is a 5 gallon barrel. It measures 23×9″ and weighs 46.6 pounds (when the tank is filled with a drink) and 9 pounds (when it is empty).
- Sixth Barrel Keg
The keg size per ⅙ barrel is 5.16 gallons. In terms of shape and capacity, this barrel is very similar to Corny.
The main difference from the previous model is the connection system: the Cornelius has a ball or pin system, and the ⅙ barrel keg has a traditional valve that works in conjunction with the keg coupler.
The standard parameters of such a tank are 23⅜x9¼” and the weight is 58 pounds (when filled with beer) and 16.5 pounds (when empty).
These barrels are usually made of stainless steel, and their cylindrical shape allows you to easily move the kegs when you need it. Due to their compact size, they are ideal for craft breweries producing small batches of beer.
- Quarter Barrel Keg
This type of barrel is available in two versions: a regular container for a quarter barrel and a thinner container.
Both models have the same capacity of 7.75 gallons. This is about 62 pints of beer or 83 bottles of 12 ounces.
The standard tank is often referred to as the Pony or Stubby Quarter. Visually it is thicker: 16⅛x 3⅞”. Thus, this model is about 10″ shorter in height than its narrower variety.
This tank weighs 87 pounds when it is full. The weight of the empty barrel is 22 pounds.
Do not underestimate the relatively small size of such a barrel: it is ideal for limited spaces and is always in special demand among brewers.
- Slim Quarter Keg
As we have already mentioned, this is another type of ¼ barrel keg. Therefore, its capacity is the same as the previous model.
The difference lies in the shape and parameters of this container: unlike the lower model, this barrel is higher and thinner – 23⅜” x 11⅛”. Due to its elongated shape, this reservoir was given an alternative name – the tall quarter.
- Half Barrel Keg
The most common size of a beer barrel is a full-sized barrel, also called a «barrel». It is a standard variant, containing 15.5 gallons of beer, which is 124 pints or 165 bottles of 12 ounces.
As for the dimensions, it is usually a little over 23″ tall and about 16″ in diameter, and weighs about 160 pounds (when filled with beer) and about 30 pounds (when it is empty).
Due to its good capacity, it is the most popular option installed in most modern breweries, bars or restaurants.
- 50 Litre Keg
An alternative model that you can use instead of the Half Barrel. Such kegs are popular in European breweries, where capacity is measured in liters.
This capacity is also often called a European (or imported) keg. It holds 105 pints or 140 bottles of 12 ounces.
The parameters of such a tank are 20.94×16.06″. The weight of the filled container is 130 pounds, and the empty one is only 27 pounds.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Beer Keg
Before buying a beer keg, first, answer the following questions:
- How much beer do you plan to brew?
It determines the size and number of barrels.
- What beer varieties do you plan to brew and store in the keg?
Each tank has its type of keg coupler designed for pouring different varieties of beer.
- How much can you spend?
As a rule, the larger the capacity, the more expensive it is. Sixth barrels will cost about $115, quarter barrels are estimated to cost $140, and half-barrels will cost $145.
- Who is the supplier?
Among all the companies offering kegs for sale, we recommend Beverage Craft products. This company has been working in this field for more than 10 years, high quality of its products, as well as an excellent assortment regularly receive positive feedback from brewers.
Contact Beverage Craft, and you will be helped to choose the optimal size and variety of the barrel, and also the consultants will tell you how to connect it correctly to your draught beer system.
