Why is it called a pony keg?

Answered by Stephen Mosley

The term “pony keg” is used to refer to a smaller-sized beer vessel that contains approximately 7.75 U.S. gallons or 29.33 liters of fluid. It is called a pony keg because of its smaller size compared to the standard beer keg, which is equivalent to a quarter of a barrel.

The word “pony” is commonly used to denote something small or diminutive in size. This can be seen in other contexts as well, such as a “pony glass” which refers to a quarter-pint glass or a “pony bottle” which is a smaller-sized bottle typically holding a quarter of a liter of liquid.

The term “pony keg” has its origins in the beer industry, where it was used to describe a keg that was half the size of a standard beer keg. The smaller size made it more manageable and easier to transport, especially for smaller gatherings or events where a full-size keg would be excessive.

The use of the term “pony” to describe a smaller keg may have also been influenced by the size of a pony, which is a small horse or pony. Just as a pony is smaller than a full-sized horse, a pony keg is smaller than a full-sized beer keg.

The popularity of the term “pony keg” may also be attributed to its catchy and memorable nature. It has become a widely recognized term in the beer industry and is commonly used by both consumers and professionals.

A pony keg is called so because of its smaller size compared to a standard beer keg. The term “pony” is used to denote something small or diminutive, similar to a pony glass or pony bottle. The term has become popular and widely used in the beer industry.