How Many Gallons in a Hogshead?

Eventually, a hogshead of wine came to be 63 US gallons (52.5 imp gal; 238.5 L), while a hogshead of beer or ale is 64 gallons (250 L if old beer/ale gallons, 245 L if imperial). A hogshead was also used as unit of measurement for sugar in Louisiana for most of the 19th century.

Why is it called a hogshead?

The name hogshead originally derives from a 15th century English term 'hogges hede', which referred to a unit of measurement equivalent to 63 gallons (considerably larger than a modern day hogshead which is officially 54 imperial gallons). A standard British brewing industry measure and barrel size.

What size is a hogshead barrel?

200 litres (barrel) and 250 (hogshead) are the most common sizes. A hogshead is essentially a barrel made from the staves of a bourbon cask with new oak ends. A butt is the standard size cask used for maturing sherry.