Hogshead facts for kids

A hogshead is an old unit of measurement. It was used to figure out how much liquid, like wine or beer, could fit into a large barrel. People used hogsheads in many parts of Europe, but the exact size of a hogshead could be different from one place to another. For example, a hogshead in England might hold a different amount than one in France.

In modern times, a hogshead is usually thought of as holding about 63 gallons in the United States. This unit was even mentioned in an episode of The Simpsons, which helped some people learn about it!

What is a Hogshead?

A hogshead is a traditional unit of volume. It was mostly used for measuring liquids like wine, beer, or cider. It was also used for other goods, such as sugar or tobacco. Imagine a very large wooden barrel; that's often what a hogshead refers to.

How Big is a Hogshead?

The size of a hogshead changed a lot over time and in different places. For example, a hogshead of wine in England was usually 63 gallons. But a hogshead of beer might be 54 gallons. This could be confusing!

Standardizing the Hogshead

To make things simpler, countries worked together to agree on standard measurements. In 1959, countries like Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States signed a treaty. This agreement helped to standardize many units, including the hogshead, making sure everyone used the same size.

Images for kids

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  A hogshead in relation to other barrels

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  United States revenue stamp (proof) for the $2 tax on one hogshead of beer in 1867.

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  "Sugar hogsheads" from Ten Views in the Island of Antigua, W. Clark, 1823, plate X.