Homebrewing 101: Pony Keg and Other Keg Sizes Explained

Homebrewing 101: Pony keg and other keg sizes explained.

Pony keg, homebrewing kit, Cornelius Keg, keg sizes, what do all of these words mean? Keg Fridge will make it simple for you!

Brewing is certainly an industry of its own. Therefore, anyone into craft brewery, especially homebrewing beer, must acquaint himself/herself with dozens of brewing terminologies and also master the measurements and keg sizes.

Specifically, the beginner needs to know and understand the various beer kit jargons. Not taking the time to learn only invites confusion and the occasional disasters.

Suppose one is a homebrewing newbie. He/she must know the essentials needed to make beer. He/she must have these, know what they are for, and how to use them. His/her beer kit must have:

• Fermenters
• Hot Liquor Tank(H.L.T.)
• Mash or Lauter Tun
• Measuring Equipment
• pH Meter
• Refractometer
• Sparge Arm
• Stainless Steel Pot
• Thermometer
• Wort Chillers

These are actually just some of the most important tools that should be in a homebrewer’s kit. To the beginner, some of these words sound alien or are simply things which functions they are not yet familiar with.

The whole process of brewing ends in knowing where to put the end-product: the beer. There are still jargons to learn, though. Even beer kegs or barrels come with their own set of jargons.

Keg Knowledge

One of the most popular beer keg, if not the most popular, is the pony keg. It is a familiar term, anyway, though rather confusing.

For a lot of people, a pony keg is simply a place to buy mini beer kegs, cigarettes and lottery tickets. Pony kegs somehow still abound in some areas. This misconception, though, has its own history best explained some other time.

“Pony keg” is actually a popular nickname for the quarter keg, one of several beer barrel sizes. It is called so due to the pony’s small stature. The pony keg is short and stubby. And while it is as wide as the full barrel, it is ten inches shorter.  That makes it ideal for small parties that a homeowner could host, or simply for home use. Indeed, it is the most commonly used keg for such purposes.

Buy Now

The pony keg is one of the lighter kegs that are more easily lifted and/or transported. At the same time, it normally serves enough beer to satisfy everyone in the place.

The pony keg is, as mentioned, just one of several barrel sizes, though. For comparisons, these are their individual details:

Keg Sizes Explained: Reference Chart

Size Matters 

When buying kegs, of course, it is important to know the size most appropriate for the buyer’s needs.

Just for one-time use with a little drinking? Get a mini keg. For a large, full-blown party? Get the half barrel or full keg. But for a small party or occasional drinks at home, get the pony keg. Or maybe, the idea is to have enough for a small party but the keg must be easy to clean. Then try the corny keg.

See, not one size fits all purposes.

Meanwhile, there is also the matter of kegerator size. If there is a kegerator, then it follows that the keg should be of the size that will fit into it. A mini kegerator definitely cannot hold bigger barrels; the mini keg is the best size for it.

It all comes down to either using the kegerator or not.   

Finding the Right Kegerator  

So now that the keg sizes dilemma is managed, the next step is to find the right kegerator for the new home bar.

A kegerator is not a requirement for drinkers. However, anyone who:

• enjoys a drink either regularly or once in a while
• craves for it at various times of the day or evening
• wants to host parties from time to time

…should seriously consider having a kegerator at home. It is not a hard thing to do, especially with sellers like Keg Fridge that can help any buyer choose the right unit.

Interested? Keg Fridge is also interested in providing assistance. Visit KegFridge.com to see what they have in store.