The weight of keg beer depends on two principal factors: the size of the keg and whether the keg is full or empty. Since beer is a liquid, its weight can be calculated by volume—specifically, beer weighs roughly 8.34 pounds per United States gallon (or about 1 kilogram per liter). The container itself also adds extra weight, especially since most kegs are made with durable stainless steel.

The most common keg size in the USA is the half-barrel keg, which holds 15.5 gallons or about 58.7 liters of beer. The beer alone inside this keg weighs around 129 pounds (58.5 kilograms). The empty keg shell typically weighs about 30 pounds (13.6 kilograms), bringing the total weight of a full half-barrel keg to roughly 159 pounds (72 kilograms).

Other common keg sizes weigh less. A quarter-barrel keg (7.75 gallons or 29.3 liters) weighs about 87 pounds (39.5 kilograms) when it is full. A sixth-barrel keg (5.16 gallons or 19.5 liters) weighs roughly 58 pounds (26.3 kilograms) when full. A Cornelius keg, frequently used by homebrewers and holding 5 gallons, weighs about 55 pounds (25 kilograms) when full.

In the United Kingdom and Europe, where kegs are usually measured in liters, the standard 50-liter keg weighs approximately 130 pounds (59 kilograms) when full. The empty keg usually weighs about 25 pounds (11–12 kilograms).

When transporting or handling full kegs, it's important to use proper equipment such as keg dollies or carts, as their weight and shape can make them painful and risky to move by hand. Understanding keg weights is essential for safe handling, especially in hospitality, brewing, and event settings.

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