It’s tempting to compare a keg to a case of beer by simple equivalence: “How many cans is a keg?” That’s doable, but the underlying serving size and measurement units can blur the comparison.
Because keg yield depends on how you pour and what you consider a “beer,” bottle-and-can comparisons tend to feel more consistent. A can is a measured serving. A pour can vary.
Quick equivalence idea
A 12-ounce can is the same unit used in many keg count estimates. That makes your keg-to-cans comparison straightforward: the “12-ounce beers” number in the keg table is basically your estimate of how many 12-ounce cans it equals, before accounting for foam and last-pour losses.
When you’re choosing between purchasing cans and renting a tap, keep in mind that kegs require setup—hoses, couplers, pressure considerations, and cleaning. Those costs can be worth it for big crowds, less so for smaller ones.
