How Many Pints in a Keg?
A 30 litre keg is about 52 UK pints. A 50 litre keg is about 88. A 20 litre keg is about 35.
Use this guide to size draught for weddings, private parties, office parties and festivals. We hire kegs with the right coupler, gas and cooler — see keg hire.
Planning your Christmas office party? Use this guide to calculate quantities and hire the right keg. Guinness & Madri from £215 with 2-week hire included.
Coverage
Midlands-based, covering most of England and Wales
Professional Staff
Trained bartenders & service team
- Delivery & collection included in quotes
- Kegs, bar and draught system supplied
- Dry hire or staffed options
- Midlands-based, covering most of England & Wales
How many kegs for your party
Guest count and how long the bar runs matter more than a single keg-per-head rule. The drinks calculator gives a headcount estimate. For tap, cooler and brand options see beer keg hire.
For December office parties see Christmas keg hire.
Understanding Keg Sizes
Kegs come in various sizes, each designed for different event types and serving capacities. Understanding keg sizes helps you plan the right amount of beer for your event and avoid running out or excessive waste.
The most common keg sizes in the UK are measured in litres (L) or gallons (G). A standard UK pint is 568ml, so a 30L keg contains approximately 52 pints. However, the exact number can vary slightly depending on pour size, foam, and wastage.
Not all beer brands are available in all keg sizes. Some premium or craft beers may only come in smaller sizes, while popular lagers and ales often come in multiple size options. Always check with us to confirm which sizes are available for your preferred brand.
Keg sizes in detail
Detailed breakdown of each keg size, including capacity, dimensions, and which brands are available in each size.
20L Keg
~35 pints
20 Litre Keg (~35 Pints)
Perfect for smaller events, intimate gatherings, and private parties. The 20L keg is ideal when you want to offer multiple beer varieties at a smaller event, allowing guests to choose from different options without committing to larger volumes.
Best for: Small private parties (30-50 guests), intimate wedding receptions, corporate team events, craft beer tastings, and events where variety matters more than volume.
Note: 20L kegs are less commonly available than 30L and 50L sizes. Availability varies by brand, with craft beers and premium ales more likely to be available in this size. Contact us to confirm availability for your preferred brand.
30L Keg
~52 pints
Most Popular30 Litre Keg (~52 Pints)
Our most popular keg size. The 30L keg offers the perfect balance of capacity and flexibility, making it the go-to choice for most events. This size works exceptionally well for medium-sized events and is available for the widest range of beer brands. Hiring kegs for Christmas? See Christmas keg hire.
Best for: Medium-sized events (50-100 guests), weddings, corporate functions, birthday parties, and most standard celebrations.
Brands available in 30L:
50L Keg
~88 pints
50 Litre Keg (~88 Pints)
Perfect for large events, festivals, and high-volume celebrations. The 50L keg is ideal when you need maximum capacity and want to minimize the number of kegs needed for setup and management. This size is especially popular for popular mainstream brands.
Best for: Large events (100+ guests), festivals, multi-day events, high-volume celebrations, and venues with consistent high demand.
Brands available in 50L:
11 Gallon
~88 pints
(Same as 50L)11 Gallon (11G) Keg (~88 Pints)
The 11-gallon keg is equivalent to a 50-litre keg (~88 pints). This is a traditional UK keg size, particularly used by Carling and some other brands that measure in gallons rather than litres.
Best for: Large events (100+ guests), festivals, and high-volume celebrations. Same capacity as a 50L keg but measured in the traditional UK gallon system.
Brands available in 11G:
- Carling (standard size)
22 Gallon
~176 pints
Double Barrel22 Gallon (22G) Keg (~176 Pints)
The largest standard keg size we offer. A 22-gallon keg contains approximately 176 pints, making it perfect for very large events, festivals, and venues with extremely high demand. This size minimizes the number of keg changes needed during an event.
Best for: Very large events (200+ guests), multi-day festivals, high-volume venues, and events where you want to minimize keg changes.
Note: 22G kegs require more handling equipment due to their size and weight. Ensure your venue has appropriate access and space for delivery and setup.
Brands available in 22G:
Wedding or party with 80 adults or more in England or Wales? We can bring a fully staffed cash bar for £150 instead. Guests pay at the bar and there is no minimum spend.
Important Notes
- Size availability varies by brand: Not all beer brands are available in all sizes. Popular mainstream brands typically offer 30L and 50L options, while craft beers may only be available in smaller sizes.
- Pint count is approximate: The actual number of pints served can vary based on pour size, foam, and wastage. We recommend planning for 10-15% buffer for larger events.
- Coupler types differ: Different keg sizes may require different coupler types (G-Type, S-Type, U-Type). We provide the correct coupler with every hire.
- Always confirm availability: Contact us to confirm which sizes are available for your preferred brand before finalizing your event plans.
Need help choosing the right keg size for your event?
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If you keep kegs on permanent lines, regular beer line cleaning keeps every pint tasting right.
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