People from all walks of life love beer, making it one of the most popular drinks in the world. In this guide, we’ll walk through the most common beer can and bottle sizes, from standard 12-ounce cans to bombers, forties, growlers, and kegs, so you can better understand the packaging options you’ll see in stores, bars, and breweries.
Beer Can Sizes
- 8.4 oz Can: A smaller can size that works well for quick refreshment or for anyone who wants a lighter serving without opening a full-sized beer.
- 12-Ounce Can: The most common beer can size in the United States. It is widely available in grocery stores, convenience stores, bars, and casual drinking settings.
- 16-Ounce Can / Tallboy: A larger can that gives you more beer than a standard 12-ounce can without moving into a full large-format container. Tallboys are common at parties, outdoor gatherings, and sporting events.
- 19.2 oz Can: A larger single-serve format, roughly equal to 568 milliliters. It is a good choice for people who want more than a standard can but do not need a growler or keg.
- 24-Ounce Can / Oil Can: A larger format sometimes called an oil can because of its shape and size. It is often used for specialty beers, craft beers, or value-sized single servings.
- 32-Ounce Can / Crowler: A sealed can commonly filled at breweries or taprooms, allowing customers to take fresh draft beer home in a portable container.
- 64-Ounce Container / Growler: Growlers are commonly used for carrying draft beer from breweries. They are usually made of glass or stainless steel and can often be refilled.
- 5.16 Gallon / 1/6 Barrel Keg: Not a can in the traditional sense, but a common draft beer format for parties, home bars, and kegerators. It holds about 53 standard 12-ounce servings.
Beer Bottle Sizes
Standard Sizes
- 12 oz / 355 mL: The standard beer bottle size in the United States. It is commonly found in supermarkets, convenience stores, bars, and restaurants.
- 22 oz / 650 mL: Often called a bomber, this larger bottle size is commonly used for craft beer and is suitable for sharing or enjoying over a longer period.
Bombers
- 16.9 oz / 500 mL: A mid-size bottle format that offers more beer than a standard 12-ounce bottle without being as large as a 22-ounce bomber.
Forties
- 40 oz / 1,183 mL: A large-format bottle often associated with malt liquor and casual gatherings.
Other Specialty Sizes
- 11.2 oz / 330 mL: Common in European beers and often used for single servings or tasting flights.
- 25.4 oz / 750 mL: Similar in size to a standard wine bottle. This format is often used for specialty, Belgian-style, or higher-end craft beers.
Additional Bottle Sizes
- 7 oz: A petite bottle size, suitable for sampling or smaller servings.
- 12.7 oz: Slightly larger than the standard 12-ounce bottle, offering a bit more beer in a single serving.
- 32 oz: A smaller growler format often used for brewery takeout or fresh draft beer.
- 50.7 oz: A larger bottle format that works well for sharing among a small group.
- 64 oz: A common growler size for carrying multiple servings of draft beer.
Popular Beer Styles and Their Preferred Packaging
IPA
IPAs are often sold in both bottles and cans. Cans are especially popular because they help protect hop-forward beers from light exposure and can keep the beer tasting fresh for longer. They are also easy to carry, making them a practical choice for outdoor activities.
Stout
Stouts are often packaged in bottles, especially larger formats such as 22-ounce bombers or 750-milliliter bottles. These sizes make them easier to share, and dark glass helps protect the beer’s rich flavors from light exposure.
Pilsner
Pilsners are commonly sold in cans or standard longneck bottles. Cans offer strong protection from light and oxygen, helping the beer stay crisp and refreshing.
Sour Ale
Sour ales are often packaged in bottles, especially cork-and-cage formats. These closures help preserve carbonation and protect the beer’s tart, complex character. Some sour ales are also available in cans for convenience.
Wheat Beer
Wheat beers, including Hefeweizen and Witbier, are often sold in bottles with crown caps or swing-top closures. The bottle format suits the style’s traditional presentation and helps maintain carbonation.
American Lager
American lagers are commonly sold in cans because cans are lightweight, easy to chill, stackable, and highly effective at protecting beer from light and oxygen.
No matter if you prefer a classic 12-ounce can, a 16-ounce tallboy, or a large 750-milliliter bottle, keeping your drinks cold and organized matters just as much as choosing the right size. A good beverage cooler helps store different can and bottle sizes at the right temperature, making sure every drink is ready when you are.
