How much beer do I need for 300 guests?

You need 43 cases of beer for 300 guests at a new year's eve party. This provides 878 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 2.9 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 300 guests, you'll need 43 cases to provide 878 total servings.

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

At a new year's eve party with 300 guests, approximately 195 guests (65%) will actively drink. Our formula accounts for this when calculating the 43 cases you need.

Should I buy extra beer as a buffer?

Yes! Our calculation of 43 cases already includes a 15% buffer (6 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 43 cases of beer last for 300 guests?

43 cases of beer will last approximately 5 hours for 300 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 300 Guest New Year's Eve Party?

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cases of beer

For a 300-guest new year's eve party lasting 5 hours

15% buffer included

878

Total servings

2.9

Per person

Buffer cases

How We Calculated This

Our bartender-tested formula, step by step

Estimate actual drinkers

300 guests × 65% drinking rate

= 195 drinkers

At xlarge events, about 65% of guests typically drink alcohol.

Calculate base consumption

195 drinkers × 1.5 drinks/hour × 5 hours

= 1463 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)

= 1097 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)

= 878 beer servings needed

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

Convert to cases

878 servings ÷ 24 servings per case

= 36.6 cases (raw)

Each case of beer provides 24 servings.

Add 15% buffer & round up

36.6 × 1.15 = 42.1, rounded up

= 43 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	4 cases	73 servings
50 guests	8 cases	146 servings
75 guests	11 cases	220 servings
100 guests	15 cases	293 servings
150 guests	22 cases	439 servings
200 guests	29 cases	585 servings

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

Your Shopping List

Everything you need, plus essentials you might forget

🍺

Beer

The main event

cases

Don't forget these

Ice (Keep those beers cold!)

516 lbs
Coolers (2 cases per cooler)

22 coolers
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Pro Tips for Your New Year's Eve Party

Insider advice from experienced bartenders

💡

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

⏰

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

🎯

People pace themselves until 10pm then drinking accelerates.

🧊

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

✨

Noisemakers and party favors should be near the champagne station.

🛒 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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