The barrel consumers are most likely to encounter today is the barrel of beer.
The barrel of draft beer holds 31 U.S. gallons. Smaller sizes include half a barrel, 15½ gallons; quarters, also called kegs, 7¾ U.S. gallon; sixths; and eights, also called ponies, of 3.8 U.S. gallons.
William L. Downard.
Dictionary of the History of the American Brewing and Distilling industries.
Westport (CT): Greenwood Press, 1980.
The beer barrel holds 50 liters.
A correspondent informs us that the English beer barrel still holds 36 imperial gallons, having survived with the pint.
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Last revised: 5 April 2005.