Tall Boy Beer: Sizes, Ounces, and the Best Tall Boy Picks

Canned beer has exploded in popularity over the years, with tall boy cans taking up prominent shelf space everywhere, from gas station beer aisles to world-renowned breweries. Tall boys have been a major contributor to that boost in sales; however, the number of ounces in a tall boy beer can vary depending on context. Generally, a tall boy refers to a 16-ounce (473 mL) can, a step up from the standard 12-ounce can, but other volumes are also included under the tall boy umbrella. Tall boys, sometimes spelled “tallboy” as one word, are commonly referred to as pint cans or pounders because they provide a good compromise between portability and size; they work well for the casual drinker and craft beer lover alike. However, with a bigger can comes a bigger commitment.Choose wisely to ensure you enjoy it cold. If you’re going to drink 16 ounces or more of a beer, it better be a good one, so what are the most popular choices?

This guide keeps it practical. We will pin down what exactly a tall boy is, explain why tall cans took over so many coolers, and give you a short list of tall boy picks that are easy to find and even easier to enjoy.

Quick Check: What Counts as a Tall Boy, and What Else Are They Called?

A tall boy beer, (sometimes written “tallboy beer”) can refer to multiple serving formats, and each goes by other names as well. The table below will help you determine which ones officially count as tall boys, and it can also help you unpack what the myriad of other nicknames specifically refer to. In short, if it contains less than 16 ounces, or it doesn’t come in a can, it’s not a tall boy.

How Many Ounces are in a Tall Boy Beer? Sizes Explained

Fast answer: A tall boy beer is usually 16 ounces, though 19.2-ounce and 24-ounce cans are also commonly called tall boys.

While 16 ounces is the widely accepted standard, “tall boy” hasn’t always had the same meaning. In different geographical locations and across time, a tall boy could also refer to a stovepipe (19.2-ounce can) or silo (24-ounce can). No matter the size, the modern tall boy has an elegant and elongated look. It stands taller than a conventional beer can. There’s no mistaking a tall boy’s presence on the retail shelf. Miller High Life can even be found in a 32-ounce can (AKA the “King Kan”). That’s double the size of a traditional tall boy. These cans will be notably wider than your average beer can.

Usually, you can visually distinguish a traditional 16-ounce tall boy from its 19.2-ounce and 24-ounce variants. A 16-ounce tall boy will be notably taller than a 12-ounce can, but will still resemble a relatively ordinary can of beer. However, 19.2-ounce and 24-ounce tall boys will have a much more pronounced profile on the shelf, looking long and skinny in comparison. The label will also specify the specific volume of beer in each can if you’re ever unsure.

If you ask for a tall boy in most U.S. convenience stores, you’ll usually get a 16-ounce can. That size hits the sweet spot. It’s a notable upgrade over a 12-ounce serving, is easy to hold, and there’s just enough beer to finish it before it starts to get warm. They’re a great choice when you want more than 12 ounces of a beer, but don’t want to commit to a full six-pack.

It’s worth noting that there are also large-format versions of bottles. These are usually called “bombers” (22-ounces), “caguamas” (32-ounces), or “forties” (40-ounces). However, none of these fall under the “tall boy” category, as they do not come in cans.

Which Tall Boy Size is the Best Choice?

Ultimately, the best tall boy size will depend on what you’re drinking, as well as the occasion:

“Bigger is better” isn’t always ideal, since drinking beer is all about pacing. For those who like to nurse a beer, two cold 12-ounce cans will be a much better experience than one large can of beer that will get warm before you can finish it.

You should also consider the ABV of the beer you’re drinking. With the increased serving size comes the increased risk of consuming more alcohol than you intended. High-ABV, low-ABV, and even non-alcoholic beer can all be found in tall boy cans, so plan accordingly.

Why Are Tall Boys So Popular?

Tall cans are popular because they mean fewer trips to the fridge. It’s easier to grab one big can than to juggle multiples. There is also the sensory piece: a tall boy can stay colder longer, while a 12-ounce can warms faster in the hand. People will order a tall boy can when they just want that specific experience. In general, cans also offer a fresher drinking experience compared to bottles, as their opaque walls prevent the beer from becoming lightstruck, which leads to off-flavors.

They also have a “one can equals one decision” appeal. You pick a can, crack it, and you’re set for a while. Tall boy beers are ideal when you want to pick out just one beer that will last you, without committing to a full six-pack. This is especially true when you’re in a gas station or convenience store and are looking for a quick grab.

Tall boy beers can also offer an exceptional value. Generally, as serving size increases, the cost per ounce decreases. For just a little more money, you can get substantially more beer.

Our Fifteen Picks for the Best Accessible Tall Boy Beers

The best tall boy beer, and we cannot stress this enough, is the beer that you will enjoy the most. However, you need to think about more than just flavor here, as a tall boy is a commitment. Below is a list of beers that are not only easy to enjoy, but are also ideal for the tall boy serving size. We put a greater emphasis on dependability than awards or medals. All of the beers listed are affordable and easy to find, while also remaining easy to drink in a tall boy that is 16 ounces or more.

Miller High Life – 4.6% (American Lager)

High Life works well in a tall can because it stays crisp even when your drinking pace slows down. It has that classic light malt sweetness up front, then a clean, slightly snappy finish that keeps it from tasting watery. This is the kind of beer you can crack while the grill heats up and you are still setting things up. Buy it if you want a tall boy beer that tastes like beer without being heavy. This brand also comes in a 32-ounce can (dubbed the “King Kan”), which is even larger than a super tall boy.

Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR) – 4.7% (American Lager)

PBR is a popular American beer style that uses a light grain to create a clean, refreshing taste with character, though it isn’t particularly sweet. It has just a small amount of hop bitterness. These two elements help create a dependable beer that is perfect for hanging out or just enjoying a drink on a low-key basis. The appeal is mostly about the beer’s texture, drinkability, and consistency, not its complexity or intensity; it is ideally suited to the tall can format at casual events like dive bars, concerts, or barbecuing with friends. The can design is also iconic.

Coors Light – 4.2% (Light Lager)

Colder is always better when it comes to drinking Coors Light, with its very light body, subdued graininess, low bitterness, and a crisp, carbonated finish. The best way to enjoy a Coors Light is fresh out of a cooler full of ice. There isn’t much depth to the malt, and there is little complexity to the hops, and that is the whole reason for drinking it. Coors Light was designed to be refreshing, neutral, and easy to drink on hot days. When you think of Coors Light as a party beer, it is the perfect addition to any barbecue or tailgate ice chest, delivering on its motto to be “cold as the Rockies.”

Michelob ULTRA – 4.2% (Light Lager)

Michelob Ultra (commonly referred to as “Mic Ultra”) is one of the most popular light beers available. Even in a 16-ounce serving, it’s under 130 calories and has less than 3.5 grams of carbs. It has a light body, soft notes, faint maltiness, and a dry finish that keeps your mouth clean from the first sip to the last. There’s no harshness, just a very small amount of bitterness and the right amount of sweetness. It is not about delivering complexity or depth in the tasting experience; it is about delivering precise volume, light, neutrality, and consistency. It’s also relatively low-ABV, making it the perfect beer for long-haul drinking sessions, making it the perfect companion for a round of golf or a day out on the water.

Heineken Original – 5% (European Lager)

Heineken tends to perform best in a taller can because it has not only more structure, but also packs more flavor than the average easy-drinking lager. While many tall-boy staples mostly depend on cold, refreshing dryness, Heineken has enough hop character and fermentation flavor to remain interesting long after it’s been opened. There are notes of lightly bready/yeasty malt base, slight grain sweetness, and a herbaceous hop note that gives Heineken its classic European lager flavor profile. The bitterness of Heineken is notably higher and stronger than that of most U.S.-produced light lagers. This added complexity is also what makes it such a great selection as a single can; it still drinks clean and crisp, but has enough bite and flavor tension to be a little heavier than most beers.

Garage Beer Classic Lime – 4% (Flavored Light Lager)

Garage Beer has quickly established a name for itself as a top-emerging beer brand targeted at easy-drinking. Its lime variation adds a refreshing twist to the already crushable lager. The lime adds just enough flavor to keep things interesting without tipping into sweetness, making it an easy choice for hot days, tailgates, and casual hangs. The lightness brought on by the lime makes this an easy choice when you’re looking for a 16-ounce tall boy to commit to.

Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing IPA – 6.7% (Hazy IPA)

Sierra Nevada’s Hazy Little Thing sells well in a larger can because it is flavorful but not overly intense on the palate. This unfiltered IPA showcases the softer, rounder side of hops with notes of orange peel, ripe citrus, and faint tropical fruitiness that are generally softer rather than too sharp. The mouth feel is full yet smooth and easy to drink, compared to traditional lagers or pale ales. There is definite bitterness in Hazy Little Thing as it is still an IPA, but it’s offset by the bright citrus and tropical notes brought on by dry-hopping the beer. The balance of flavors makes this beer a good tall-can selection, delivering a strong hop aroma and fruit-forward aromatics in a package designed for easy, casual drinking.

Lagunitas IPA – 6.2% (American IPA)

Lagunitas IPA is a great option for people looking for tall boy options. Despite the flavorful punch it packs, it still avoids becoming too overwhelming. Other softer IPAs may become less pronounced once they’re consumed in full, but Lagunitas IPA retains its integrity with a pronounced bitterness, a dry finish, and a traditional West Coast-style flavor. The flavor characteristics provide an overall enjoyable drinking experience, with bright citrus peel, pine (resin), and floral hops that overlie a caramel malt base, creating an excellent balance of flavors without excess sweetness in the beer. This style of beer can be an excellent choice to reach for at the end of the day when you want something assertive, somewhat familiar, and with pronounced bitterness that evokes a classic-style IPA.

Founders All Day IPA – 4.7% (Session IPA)

All Day IPA from Founders Brewing Co. is a strong tall boy option for drinkers who want hop flavor without the weight that usually comes with it. It delivers classic IPA notes of citrus zest, pine, and light herbal character over a simple pale malt base, but keeps the body light and easy to handle. The finish is clean and crisp, which helps maintain balance across a full can and keeps the palate fresh. Despite the full flavor profile, this beer is roughly the same ABV as a standard light lager. As the name implies, it is the kind of beer that you can drink all day without compromising flavor or going overboard. It’s the ideal beer for fishing and camping trips.

Bell’s Two Hearted IPA – 7% (American IPA)

A 16-ounce tall boy can of Bell’s Two Hearted Ale delivers a robust, well-structured, flavorful profile. It’s a classic American-style IPA, with grapefruit and citrus aromas, piney hop notes, and some light malt sweetness. There is a considerable amount of hop bitterness, but it is not overwhelming and will enhance the overall beer experience. At 7%, this is also a tall boy that packs a notable punch, but won’t put you out too quickly.

Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA – 9% (Imperial IPA)

The larger can size of Dogfish Head’s 90 Minute IPA enhances the drinking experience for this high-intensity, highly structured beer, brewed with a higher proportion of malted barley and layered with complexity. The caramel, toasted sugar notes, and slight dark-honey sweetness of the malt provide a great contrast to the tremendous amount of hoppy, piney character. The beer’s body is much more substantial than that of a typical IPA, and the alcohol presence is a warm, gentle note that becomes more noticeable as the beer warms after opening. While the bitterness is quite noticeable, it is also rounded and smoothed into harmony with the malt, resulting in a more layered flavor profile. This beer should be enjoyed sitting down after your meal, or alongside your food, and savored for its rich malt sweetness, resinous hops, and gentle warmth, rather than finished quickly. At 9% ABV, it can also sneak up on you, so be careful.

Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA – 9% (Imperial IPA)

The Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA from New Belgium Brewing is one of those tall boys that people reach for when they’re looking for a quick and easy buzz. It provides high-octane alcohol content and a dangerously smooth drinking experience. It has a hop-forward aroma and flavor bursting with citrus, hops, resin, and tropical fruits with an ample malt backbone for sweetness, body, and a touch of caramel for depth. The combination of these elements creates an incredibly full-bodied mouthfeel, where the alcohol gives you that nice warm glow rather than that typical spike upon tasting. The bitterness in this beer is strong but well-rounded, fully incorporated into its weight, making it easy to drink despite its strength. A tall boy of this beer is the perfect pre-game companion.

Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA – Less Than 0.5% (non-alcoholic IPA)

The Run Wild IPA from Athletic Brewing offers a delightful, satisfying drinking experience while remaining non-alcoholic. Historically, non-alcoholic beers have been derided as bland and flavorless. That is not the case here. On the nose, citrusy aromas with resinous or earthy notes create a classic, authentic IPA profile. The flavor of this beer is crisp and clean, with an adequate yet not overwhelming malt base and a very clean and moderately bitter aftertaste. The Run Wild IPA does not possess the sweetness/cloying characteristics of most non-alcoholic beers; rather, it is balanced with dryness, which is comparable to what you would expect from any IPA. This is the perfect tall boy for someone who does not drink or is cutting back on their alcohol intake without sacrificing their love of beer.

Modelo Especial – 4.5% (Mexican Lager)

Modelo Especial is well-balanced, multi-purposeful, and maintains a composed head across a relatively long pour; it is an excellent candidate for tall boy cans. Modelo Especial has clean, sweeter malt flavors upfront, with hints of baking bread and mild grains. One of the tall boy’s strengths is that it’s the perfect size to pair with a meal. The mild malt sweetness and clean finish make it especially effective with salty, spicy, or citrus-driven dishes, where it acts as both a refresher and a palate reset. The body is most similar to a traditional light lager but is substantially fuller, with smooth, stable, and consistent carbonation to support you from the first sip to the last.

Corona Extra – 4.5% (Mexican Lager)

Corona Extra is a natural fit for the tall boy format thanks to its light body and easy, refreshing profile. It leans slightly sweet with soft malt and grain notes, backed by gentle carbonation that keeps each sip smooth and crisp. The flavor stays consistent throughout the can, making it a reliable choice for extended drinking without feeling heavy. Adding a wedge of lime brings a bright citrus edge that sharpens the finish and enhances its overall drinkability. With its low bitterness and approachable character, it remains highly sessionable and well-suited for warm weather, especially trips to the beach.

How to Select a Tall Boy to Enjoy

A tall boy isn’t automatically the best choice to reach for. It’s the right choice only when it matches your drinking pace. Bigger cans can be great for people who can finish them cold, or for beers whose taste is enhanced as they warm up.

Use caution when drinking a tall boy, especially if you sip slowly, the beer is heavy, the ABV is high, or you are tempted to drink it like a light lager. It is also a bad fit for styles you know you like fresh and cold, because the last third of a big can get warm and flat. If you are buying a super tall boy beer (24 ounces), be honest about whether you actually want that much beer in one serving.

Buying Tips for Tall Boy Beers

The Big Picture on Tall Boy Cans

Whether you call it a tall boy or a tallboy, the idea is the same: more beer in one can. The only catch is that “tall boy” is slang, not a fixed measurement, so the smart move is always to check the ounces on the label and buy the size that fits your taste and plans.

Crisp lagers stay clean as they warm a bit. If you go hop-forward, freshness matters, and bigger cans make stale hops obvious. If you grab a higher ABV tall can, treat it as more alcohol in a single container, not a free pass because it’s “one beer.” In the end, the best tall boy is the one you’ll finish cold, and enjoy the taste from first sip to last.

^{Photos Courtesy Respective Breweries}