Have you found yourself wondering how many ounces are in a pitcher of beer? Maybe you have contemplated ordering a pitcher for yourself and want to know if that is too much (or not enough)?
No matter the question that brings you here today, we have the answer for you!
We know how tricky it can be to calculate how many ounces are in glasses, especially when it comes to pitchers.
They can vary from pub to bar, leaving you struggling to work out how much beer you have consumed, especially if you are already a few drinks in.
But, struggle and wonder no more! Today we are here with all the answers that you need.
Just keep reading to find out how many ounces are in a pitcher of beer and if it is okay to drink a pitcher of beer to yourself or not!
How Many Ounces Are In A Pitcher?
Before we get into today’s article, let’s first start by considering how many ounces are in a pitcher. Pitchers are derived from 13th-century‘ pichers,’ which were jugs made from clay that were used to serve beverages.
These days pitchers are used across the globe to pour drinks at dinner, or give us plenty of beer to enjoy!
But how many ounces of liquid do they hold? Well, this depends on the size. Currently there are three standard sizes in use across the US.
You can choose from 32oz, 48oz, or 60oz pitchers made from stainless steel, glass, or plastic.
You can also find pitchers in larger sizes like 64oz, 72oz, and 96oz, but these tend to be less common.
Now that we have established how many ounces are commonly in a pitcher, let’s take a closer look at how much beer you can expect to find in your pitcher!
How Many Ounces Are In A Pitcher Of Beer?
Let’s get into it! Now, as we mentioned earlier, there are different sizes of pitchers that can hold different amounts of liquid.
So the amount of beer you can get in a pitcher will depend on the size of the pitcher. Let’s look at some examples now so that you know where you stand.
Let’s start with a 60z pitcher. A standard serving of beer is 12oz, although pints of beer at a brewery is usually 15-16oz.
So each pitcher of beer is about six 10oz servings, or five 12oz servings. If you were to convert this into pints, that’s three pints. And if we convert that again, you are looking at 1.8litres of beer.
That’s not a bad amount of beer, is it?
For a smaller 48oz pitcher, you can expect it to hold 1,419.53 mls of beer. That works out at 1,4 liters, four glasses, or 12oz each.
Again, you are getting a decent amount of beer here to enjoy with a meal or with some friends.
Now, when your pitcher arrives at your table, it’s perfectly normal for it to come with some extra glasses.
It is assumed that pitchers are ordered for sharing, so you would usually pour the pitcher into smaller glasses to enjoy with friends, rather than sticking a straw in and sharing like it’s Spring Break!
How Many Ounces Are In A Mini Pitcher?
Mini-pitchers, for those that don’t know, are the smaller pitchers, with a capacity of 30 to 32ox. These smaller pitchers will hold around three 12oz servings, giving you a ⅔ full cup.
It’s not a bad size for two people sharing, but it doesn’t stretch to three very well. The third person might feel like a third wheel, especially if they end up with less beer in their cup!
When you are sharing a pitcher with friends, always order the larger 60oz pitcher. You won’t need to worry about distributing it evenly or the beer going flat – it isn’t likely to be around for very long!
Is Beer Served In A Pitcher In Germany?
If you are planning a trip to Germany or want to check out Oktoberfest, don’t expect to see pitchers of beer on your table! Instead of pitchers, Germans serve beer as a Mass, which is a single liter of beer.
Sometimes, these can be confused for pitchers, but they are large glass mugs that you can enjoy beer from.
If you don’t want a Mass, you can choose from a 0.5L glass of wheat beer, a 0.33L glass for a pilsner, or a 0.2l’glass of Kolsch beer.
Don’t worry, this will all be explained to you by a bartender if you are having difficulty deciding which is the best option for you!
Is It Illegal To Order A Pitcher Of Beer For One?
The short answer to this is, that it depends! The laws on how much beer you can order and consume yourself vary from state to state, so it is always best to check locally before placing your order.
Standard pitchers are available in three sizes as we mentioned earlier, 60oz, 48oz, and 32oz.
But there are some states where it is illegal to serve more than 50oz of beer in one go to one person. Other states have even stricter rules too!
If you were to order a 48oz pitcher for yourself you should be fine to do so, provided you aren’t ordering other drinks to enjoy with it.
Now, this does depend on the state you are in and the policies in place at the restaurant.
The bartender and servers will know the policies and laws, so if they say you can’t order that much, it is always best to believe them!
After all, they are the ones working there every day. Alternatively, you can call ahead to the restaurant or bar to ask about their policies.
When it comes to ordering your pitcher of beer though, we think it’s best to save it for when you are drinking with your friends.
This way, you can enjoy your beer without worrying about it going flat or feeling the pressure to drink it quickly.
How Else Can I Order Beer?
If you don’t want to order a pitcher, there are other ways where you can get more beer than just a standard glass!
You have options like Viking drinking horns, tankards, and steins that are a change to usual glasses of beer, without leaving you with lots together.
If you are drinking with your friends you can always check out a beer tower. These towers will have a tap that allows you to pour your drink while still keeping the beer fresh.
It’s lots of fun, although it requires you to pour your drink!
Frequently Asked Questions
Before you leave us today, be sure to check out our FAQ section below to get your last-minute questions answered!
How Large Is A Standard Pitcher Of Beer?
The size will vary depending on the state you are in and their laws on serving pitchers of beer to one person. Standard pitchers will either be 32oz, 48oz, or 60oz.
However, if your state has capped the amount of beer to 50oz, you won’t be able to purchase the larger pitcher for yourself.
How Many Ounces Are In A Plastic Pitcher?
Plastic pitchers have the same standard sizes as glass or steel, offering you 32oz, 480z, or 60oz pitches to choose from.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it! The number of ounces in a pitcher will vary depending on the size but now that you know what the standard pitcher sizes are, you can quickly and easily calculate how much beer that buys you!
Just be sure that when ordering a pitcher for yourself, you have checked what the policy in your state is first. After all, no one wants to be disappointed when they have popped out for a beer!
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