How much beer do I need for 20 guests?

You need 4 cases of beer for 20 guests at a new year's eve party. This provides 72 total servings with a 15% buffer to ensure you don't run out.

How much beer per person for a new year's eve party?

Plan for 3.6 servings of beer per person at a new year's eve party. This accounts for the fact that not everyone drinks alcohol and consumption naturally slows as the event progresses.

How many servings are in a case of beer?

One case of beer contains 24 servings. For 20 guests, you'll need 4 cases to provide 72 total servings.

What percentage of guests will drink beer at a new year's eve party?

At a new year's eve party with 20 guests, approximately 16 guests (80%) will actively drink. Our formula accounts for this when calculating the 4 cases you need.

Should I buy extra beer as a buffer?

Yes! Our calculation of 4 cases already includes a 15% buffer (1 extra cases). This ensures you won't run out even if some guests drink more than average. It's always better to have leftovers than to run short.

How long will 4 cases of beer last for 20 guests?

4 cases of beer will last approximately 5 hours for 20 guests at a new year's eve party. This calculation factors in the natural slowdown of consumption as the event progresses.

Calculate a different drink for this event

🍷 Wine 🍺 Beer viewing 🥂 Champagne 🥃 Spirits

How Much Beer for a 20 Guest New Year's Eve Party?

You will need approx.

🍺

cases of beer

For a 20-guest new year's eve party lasting 5 hours

info 15% buffer included

Total servings

3.6

Per person

Buffer cases

How We Calculated This

Our bartender-tested formula, step by step

Estimate actual drinkers

20 guests × 80% drinking rate

= 16 drinkers

At small events, about 80% of guests typically drink alcohol.

Calculate base consumption

16 drinkers × 1.5 drinks/hour × 5 hours

= 120 base drinks

Industry standard is 1.5 drinks per person per hour for a 5-hour event.

Apply consumption decay

Adjusted for drinking slowdown over time (decay factor: 3.75)

= 90 adjusted drinks

People drink faster in the first hour and slow down as the event progresses.

Apply new year's eve party modifier

× 0.8 (-20% for beer)

= 72 beer servings needed

New Year's Eve Partys typically consume 20% less beer than average.

Convert to cases

72 servings ÷ 24 servings per case

= 3 cases (raw)

Each case of beer provides 24 servings.

Add 15% buffer & round up

3 × 1.15 = 3.4, rounded up

= 4 cases

Always round up and add a buffer. Running out is worse than having leftovers!

✓ Why trust this formula?

Based on industry standards and refined by bartenders with 30+ years of experience. We factor in consumption decay (people drink less as events progress) and real-world drinking percentages.

📊 Quick Reference: Beer by Guest Count

Guests	Beer Needed	Total Servings
25 guests	5 cases	90 servings
50 guests	10 cases	180 servings
75 guests	15 cases	270 servings
100 guests	20 cases	360 servings
150 guests	30 cases	540 servings
200 guests	40 cases	720 servings

* All calculations include a 15% buffer. Amounts for new year's eve party.

The Essentials

🍺 4 cases Beer

48 lbs Ice (Keep those beers cold!)

2 coolers Coolers (2 cases per cooler) Buy

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The Host's Secret

Editorial Curation

ATMOSPHERE

"70% of champagne is consumed between 11:30pm and 12:15am - time your chilling."

Pro Tip #1

PREPARATION

"Have champagne COLD and ready to pour at 11:55pm."

Pro Tip #2

TIMING

"People pace themselves until 10pm then drinking accelerates."

Pro Tip #3

SERVICE

"Late-night parties need designated drivers or Uber - plan ahead."

Pro Tip #4

PRESENTATION

"Noisemakers and party favors should be near the champagne station."

Pro Tip #5

🛒

Buying Guide

This is THE champagne event. Plan 1 bottle per 3-4 guests for the midnight toast, plus additional for cocktails (French 75s, Kir Royale). Have regular bar options for earlier in the evening. Stock more than you think - better to have leftovers than run out at midnight.

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