When you're ordering a keg — whether for a backyard party, an office draft setup, or a restaurant account — the two sizes you'll run into most often are the half barrel and the sixtel. They look similar at a glance: same stainless construction, roughly the same height. But the difference in volume is significant, and picking the wrong size can mean running dry mid-party or paying for more beer than you can move in time.
The Two Sizes, Side by Side
| Size | Volume | 12-oz servings | 16-oz pints | Full weight | Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Half barrel | 15.5 gal (58.7 L) | ~165 | ~124 | ~160 lbs | 16⅛" |
| Sixtel (1/6 barrel) | 5.16 gal (19.5 L) | ~55 | ~41 | ~58 lbs | 9¼" |
Both stand roughly 23 inches tall — same height, which is why they fit in the same kegerator column. The key physical difference is diameter: a half barrel is 16 inches wide, while a sixtel is just over 9 inches. That slim profile is why two or three sixtels can fit in the same floor footprint as one half barrel.
When a Half Barrel Makes Sense
The half barrel is the standard for most bars and restaurants — and for good reason. At 15.5 gallons, you get roughly 165 twelve-ounce pours, or about 124 pints. For a venue moving through a popular tap handle quickly, or an event with 50 or more guests, the half barrel offers the best value per pint and fewer mid-event keg swaps.
It's also the go-to for high-volume office accounts and large events. If you're planning a company all-hands, a block party, or a wedding reception in San Francisco and expect steady, heavy beer consumption throughout the day, the half barrel is usually the right call.
The trade-off is handling. A full half barrel weighs around 160 pounds and needs two people to move safely. You'll also need a kegerator with enough interior space for a 16-inch-diameter vessel — standard for commercial equipment, but worth confirming before you order.
When a Sixtel Is the Better Call
The sixtel's strength isn't volume — it's flexibility. At 5.16 gallons (about 55 twelve-ounce pours), a sixtel is the right choice when variety, space, or available selection drives the decision.
Running multiple taps? A kegerator column that fits one half barrel can often hold two or three sixtels side by side. That means one tap for an IPA, one for a lager, and maybe one for a local seasonal from Fort Point or Almanac — all at once, without separate equipment.
Smaller gatherings: A sixtel serves 20 to 30 people comfortably, depending on how the afternoon goes. For an office happy hour, a birthday party, or a dinner event, you don't always need 165 pours.
Trying something new: Many Bay Area craft breweries produce seasonal and small-batch releases only in sixtel format. Ordering a sixtel of something unusual is a low-commitment way to introduce a new beer to your crowd before committing to a half barrel of it.
Practical handling: At around 58 pounds full, a sixtel is manageable for most people — one person can move it with reasonable care. That matters when you're setting up in a tight break room or moving kegs without a loading dock.
Don't Overlook the Quarter Barrel
There's a third size worth knowing: the quarter barrel (sometimes called a pony keg), which holds 7.75 gallons — about 82 twelve-ounce servings. It splits the difference between the other two. It comes in a short, wide "stubby" shape, and a taller "slim quarter" that matches the sixtel in height and fits many of the same kegerators. If a sixtel would run dry but a half barrel feels like too much, the slim quarter is often the right answer.
Kegerator Compatibility
Most home kegerators are built around the half barrel, but many accept sixtels with the same coupler — typically a D-coupler for American domestic and craft beers. Before you order, confirm your equipment's internal dimensions. If you're still building out your draft setup, our equipment and services page covers kegerators, couplers, and CO2 systems.
Order a Keg from Mike's
We stock half barrels and sixtels from local and national breweries — Fort Point, Anchor, and others alongside the major domestic brands. Browse our full keg selection online, or stop in on Mission St. and we'll help you pick the right size and style for your setup.
A $50 refundable deposit applies to all kegs. We deliver in San Francisco for orders placed by 9 AM (same-day), East Bay on Tuesdays, South Bay on Wednesdays — $8 flat fee, $125 order minimum. Or skip the delivery and pick up in the Excelsior.
How many more beers does a half barrel have compared to a sixtel?
A half barrel yields roughly 165 twelve-ounce pours, while a sixtel yields about 55 — so a half barrel holds approximately three times as much beer.
Can a sixtel and a half barrel use the same keg coupler?
Yes. Keg couplers attach to the valve, not the vessel size — so a sixtel and a half barrel of the same beer use the same coupler type. Most American domestic and craft beers, including most local Bay Area brands, use a D-coupler.
What is the keg deposit at Mike's Liquors?
All kegs carry a $50 deposit, fully refundable when you return the empty keg to us at our Mission St. location in the Excelsior.