Cicerone Certified Beer Server Practice Exam

How many gallons are in a 1/2 barrel?

1. 5.5 Gallons

2. 10 Gallons

3. 15.5 Gallons

4. 20 Gallons

The correct answer is: 15.5 Gallons

A 1/2 barrel, commonly used in the brewing industry, is defined as containing 15.5 gallons of beer. This size is significant because it is the standard volume for a half-barrel keg, which is often utilized in commercial settings like bars and restaurants. Understanding keg sizes is vital for beer server roles, as it allows for accurate inventory management, proper serving techniques, and thorough knowledge of beer storage. The 1/2 barrel is the most frequently used keg size in the United States, making it important for those in the beer service industry to know its capacity. Other keg sizes, such as the 1/4 barrel or the 1/6 barrel, have different gallon measurements and serve different purposes, but they don't have the same volume as the 1/2 barrel. Consequently, the other choices do not correctly represent the volume of a standard 1/2 barrel keg.