Convert Gill (US) (gi) to Hogshead (hogshead) instantly.
About these units
Gill (US) (gi)
The US gill equals 118.294 mL, representing one-quarter of a US pint. Historically used in measuring alcoholic beverages, the gill once played a significant role in tavern regulations, distilling, and bartending. Its usage declined sharply after Prohibition and continued to fade as ounces and milliliters became preferred for drink recipes and consumer packaging. However, some old cocktail manuals still specify gills, and certain traditional American spirits were originally bottled in gill-based volumes. The gill illustrates the rich historical diversity of volumetric units in American culinary and beverage culture.
Hogshead (hogshead)
A hogshead is a traditional barrel volume whose size varied by commodity, region, and era. In British and colonial American contexts, a hogshead for beer or ale was commonly 54 imperial gallons, while for wine it was 63 gallons. Hogsheads were central to colonial commerce, especially in the tobacco trade, where standardized hogsheads—large wooden barrels—became essential for shipping cured leaves across the Atlantic. These giant casks often doubled as storage containers, shipping crates, and even temporary furniture. While the hogshead is not used in modern measurement, it occupies a prominent place in historical literature, trade records, and maritime archaeology. Its enduring cultural footprint reflects the importance of cooperage (barrel-making) in pre-industrial economies.