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How Much Beer for a 10 Guest Corporate Event?

🍺
2
cases of beer

For a 10-guest corporate event lasting 3 hours

15% buffer included
27
Total servings
2.7
Per person
+0
Buffer cases

How We Calculated This

Our bartender-tested formula, step by step

1

Estimate actual drinkers

10 guests × 80% drinking rate
= 8 drinkers

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

2

Calculate base consumption

8 drinkers × 1.5 drinks/hour × 3 hours
= 36 base drinks

Industry standard is 1.5 drinks per person per hour for a 3-hour event.

3

Apply consumption decay

Adjusted for drinking slowdown over time (decay factor: 2.65)
= 32 adjusted drinks

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

4

Apply corporate event modifier

× 0.85 (-15% for beer)
= 27 beer servings needed

Corporate Events typically consume 15% less beer than average.

5

Convert to cases

27 servings ÷ 24 servings per case
= 1.1 cases (raw)

Each case of beer provides 24 servings.

6

Add 15% buffer & round up

1.1 × 1.15 = 1.3, rounded up
= 2 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 68 servings
50 guests 10 cases 135 servings
75 guests 15 cases 203 servings
100 guests 20 cases 270 servings
150 guests 30 cases 405 servings
200 guests 40 cases 540 servings

* All calculations include a 15% buffer. Amounts for corporate event.

Your Shopping List

Everything you need, plus essentials you might forget

🍺
Beer
The main event
2
cases

Don't forget these

  • Ice (Keep those beers cold!)
    24 lbs
  • Coolers (2 cases per cooler)
    1 coolers
    Buy

Pro Tips for Your Corporate Event

Insider advice from experienced bartenders

💡

Most corporate guests self-limit to 2 drinks max - don't over-order.

Wine outsells beer 3:1 at corporate events - flip your usual ratio.

🎯

40% of corporate guests leave within 90 minutes - peak consumption is minutes 15-60.

🧊

Weekday events consume 35% less than Friday events.

Always have premium non-alcoholic options prominently displayed.

🛒 Buying Guide

Focus on quality over quantity for corporate events. Stock premium wines and craft options rather than bulk quantities. Have elegant non-alcoholic options visible - many professionals choose not to drink at work functions. A sophisticated sparkling water with citrus is always appreciated.

🎉

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