How much beer do I need for 20 guests?

You need 3 cases of beer for 20 guests at a thanksgiving. This provides 62 total servings with a 15% buffer to ensure you don't run out.

How much beer per person for a thanksgiving?

Plan for 3.1 servings of beer per person at a thanksgiving. 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 3 cases to provide 62 total servings.

What percentage of guests will drink beer at a thanksgiving?

At a thanksgiving with 20 guests, approximately 16 guests (80%) will actively drink. Our formula accounts for this when calculating the 3 cases you need.

Should I buy extra beer as a buffer?

Yes! Our calculation of 3 cases already includes a 15% buffer (0 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 3 cases of beer last for 20 guests?

3 cases of beer will last approximately 4 hours for 20 guests at a thanksgiving. This calculation factors in the natural slowdown of consumption as the event progresses.

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How Much Beer for a 20 Guest Thanksgiving?

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cases of beer

For a 20-guest thanksgiving lasting 4 hours

15% buffer included

Total servings

3.1

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 × 4 hours

= 96 base drinks

Industry standard is 1.5 drinks per person per hour for a 4-hour event.

Apply consumption decay

Adjusted for drinking slowdown over time (decay factor: 3.25)

= 78 adjusted drinks

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

Apply thanksgiving modifier

× 0.8 (-20% for beer)

= 62 beer servings needed

Thanksgivings typically consume 20% less beer than average.

Convert to cases

62 servings ÷ 24 servings per case

= 2.6 cases (raw)

Each case of beer provides 24 servings.

Add 15% buffer & round up

2.6 × 1.15 = 3.0, rounded up

= 3 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	78 servings
50 guests	8 cases	155 servings
75 guests	12 cases	233 servings
100 guests	15 cases	310 servings
150 guests	23 cases	465 servings
200 guests	30 cases	620 servings

* All calculations include a 15% buffer. Amounts for thanksgiving.

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!)

36 lbs
Coolers (2 cases per cooler)

2 coolers
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Pro Tips for Your Thanksgiving

Insider advice from experienced bartenders

💡

Wine consumption peaks during dinner - have bottles ready at the table.

⏰

Pre-dinner cocktails should be light so people can enjoy the meal.

🎯

After-dinner drinks (port, brandy) are a nice touch.

🧊

Football watching = beer in the afternoon before dinner.

✨

Designated drivers are essential - plan non-alcoholic options.

🛒 Buying Guide

Thanksgiving is wine-heavy with the meal. Plan 1 bottle of wine per 2 adults at the table. Have a light cocktail option for pre-dinner and maybe some beer for football watching. Keep it classy.

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