Half Barrel vs Sixth Barrel Keg: What the Difference Means

Keg size names on listings

Kegerator listings often describe what the cabinet holds by naming a keg size: half barrel, quarter barrel, sixth barrel, or mini keg. These names are standard terms in the trade and are used in titles and bullet lists. You do not need to know exact measurements to compare listings, but knowing what the names stand for helps you read a title faster.

A half barrel is the large keg commonly associated with a commercial bar setup. A sixth barrel is about a third of that size. The names refer to fractions of a barrel, which is the traditional unit for bulk beer volume. The listing states which size the unit is built around, and that is the detail that matters for your choice.

What half barrel means on a listing

When a listing says a kegerator holds a half barrel, it means the cabinet is designed around the largest standard keg. That size is what most full size kegerators accept. A half barrel is heavy and tall, so a cabinet that holds one is built to match that footprint.

If you are planning a home bar or a shared space where one keg serves many people, a half barrel listing is the conventional choice. It is also the size that most commercial style kegerators list as their primary capacity. The trade-off is the space the cabinet takes up and the weight of the keg when it is full.

• Half barrel is the largest common keg size named on listings.
• Full size kegerators typically list half barrel capacity.
• Half barrel suits a busy home bar or a shared space.
• Our full size kegerator guide compares cabinets built around this size.

What sixth barrel means on a listing

A sixth barrel is a much smaller keg. Listings that name sixth barrel capacity are usually compact, often 15 inch wide units or undercounter models. The smaller keg makes the cabinet shorter and lighter, which is why sixth barrel listings appear when space is limited.

A sixth barrel is a good match for an apartment, a small kitchen, or a home bar where you want one or two kegs on draft without dedicating a large footprint. The listing still tells you the exact cabinet dimensions, so you can check whether it fits your space before you buy.

• Sixth barrel is a small keg size, about a third of a half barrel.
• Compact and undercounter kegerators commonly list sixth barrel capacity.
• Sixth barrel suits small spaces and low volume serving.
• See our 15 inch kegerator guide for compact cabinets.
• Our undercounter kegerator guide covers cabinets made for tight spaces.

How keg size affects your choice

The keg size a kegerator accepts sets the practical limits of the unit. A half barrel cabinet gives you the largest single keg, but it takes up more floor space. A sixth barrel cabinet is compact and easy to place, but it holds less. The question is not which size is better, it is which size fits your home bar, your kitchen, or your garage.

Tap count is a separate decision. A single tap kegerator serves one keg at a time, whether that keg is a half barrel or a sixth barrel. A dual tap unit can serve two kegs, and a four tap unit can serve more. The keg size and the tap count work together: a cabinet that holds two sixth barrels may be the same width as one that holds a single half barrel.

Think of the purchase as two questions. First, how much keg capacity do you need: one large keg, two small kegs, or several small kegs? Second, how many beers do you want on draft at once: one, two, three, or four? Answer both and the right guide becomes clear.

Reading dimensions and capacity words

Listings state the keg size in words like half barrel or sixth barrel, but they also list cabinet dimensions in inches. The dimensions tell you the space the unit needs, not the keg volume. Do not assume a wider cabinet always holds a larger keg; some wide cabinets hold multiple small kegs.

The phrase "holds one keg" or "holds two kegs" on a listing refers to standard keg sizes, usually the size named in the same listing. If a listing says it holds two sixth barrels, that is a different layout than one that holds a single half barrel. Read the whole bullet list before you compare two models.

Keg names are also used as size names in titles. A title that says "sixth barrel kegerator" is telling you the cabinet is sized for that keg, not that the keg is included. The same applies to half barrel and quarter barrel titles.

Questions to ask before buying

Before you compare listings, decide your serving plan. How many people will the kegerator serve? How often will the keg be replaced? A half barrel serves many people over a longer period. A sixth barrel is replaced more often but is easier to lift and store.

Decide your space. Measure where the kegerator will stand and compare it with the cabinet dimensions on the listing, not with the keg size name. A 15 inch wide cabinet may hold a sixth barrel, while a 24 inch wide cabinet may hold a half barrel or two smaller kegs.

Decide your tap count. One beer on draft needs a single tap. Two different beers need a dual tap. More beers mean more taps and a wider cabinet. The number of taps is independent of the keg size, so choose each according to your plan.

Our dual tap guide and triple tap guide cover multi keg setups, while the single tap guide suits one beer on draft.

Commercial and wide cabinets

Commercial style listings often name half barrel capacity because that is the standard for venues that serve many people. Wide commercial cabinets may hold more than one half barrel or a combination of smaller kegs. The listing states the layout in the bullet list.

If you are choosing for a small venue, compare the keg size names, the tap count, and the cabinet width together. A commercial listing with four taps and half barrel capacity is a different investment than a home unit with one tap and sixth barrel capacity. Our commercial kegerator guide and wide kegerator guide cover these larger setups.

What to pick for your situation

Match the keg size to your serving plan and your space. If you host many people or run a small venue, a half barrel cabinet with a matching tap count is the conventional choice. If you have a small kitchen, an apartment, or a garage corner, a sixth barrel cabinet keeps the footprint compact while still serving draft beer.

The correct pick is the one that fits the space you have and the number of beers you want to offer. The listing tells you the keg size, the cabinet width, and the tap count, so you can compare stated details without guessing. The guides below are organized by those same details.

What to pick for your situation

Questions

What is a half barrel keg?

A half barrel is the largest common keg size named on kegerator listings. Full size kegerators commonly state that they hold a half barrel. The name refers to the traditional barrel unit for bulk beer volume.

What is a sixth barrel keg?

A sixth barrel is a small keg, about a third of the size of a half barrel. Compact and undercounter kegerators commonly list sixth barrel capacity. The smaller size reduces cabinet height and weight.

Which keg size should I choose for a home bar?

If your home bar serves many people, a half barrel cabinet gives you the largest single keg. If space is limited, a sixth barrel cabinet keeps the footprint small while still providing draft beer. Match the size to your space and serving plan.

Does the number of taps depend on the keg size?

No. Tap count and keg size are separate decisions. A single tap unit serves one keg at a time regardless of size. A dual tap unit serves two kegs, and a four tap unit serves four. The cabinet width must accommodate the kegs you plan to use.

Where do I find the keg size on a listing?

The keg size appears in the title, such as "half barrel kegerator" or "sixth barrel kegerator", and in the bullet list. The bullet list may also state the cabinet dimensions in inches and the number of kegs it holds.