How much beer do I need for 50 guests?

You need 11 cases of beer for 50 guests at a graduation party. This provides 229 total servings with a 15% buffer to ensure you don't run out.

How much beer per person for a graduation party?

Plan for 4.6 servings of beer per person at a graduation 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 50 guests, you'll need 11 cases to provide 229 total servings.

What percentage of guests will drink beer at a graduation party?

At a graduation party with 50 guests, approximately 38 guests (76%) will actively drink. Our formula accounts for this when calculating the 11 cases you need.

Should I buy extra beer as a buffer?

Yes! Our calculation of 11 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 11 cases of beer last for 50 guests?

11 cases of beer will last approximately 4 hours for 50 guests at a graduation party. This calculation factors in the natural slowdown of consumption as the event progresses.

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How Much Beer for a 50 Guest Graduation Party?

🍺

cases of beer

For a 50-guest graduation party lasting 4 hours

15% buffer included

229

Total servings

4.6

Per person

Buffer cases

How We Calculated This

Our bartender-tested formula, step by step

Estimate actual drinkers

50 guests × 75% drinking rate

= 38 drinkers

At medium events, about 75% of guests typically drink alcohol.

Calculate base consumption

38 drinkers × 1.5 drinks/hour × 4 hours

= 228 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)

= 185 adjusted drinks

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

Apply graduation party modifier

× 1.25 (+25% for beer)

= 229 beer servings needed

Graduation Partys typically consume 25% more beer than average.

Convert to cases

229 servings ÷ 24 servings per case

= 9.5 cases (raw)

Each case of beer provides 24 servings.

Add 15% buffer & round up

9.5 × 1.15 = 10.9, rounded up

= 11 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	6 cases	115 servings
50 guests (you)	11 cases	229 servings
75 guests	17 cases	344 servings
100 guests	22 cases	458 servings
150 guests	33 cases	687 servings
200 guests	44 cases	916 servings

* All calculations include a 15% buffer. Amounts for graduation 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!)

132 lbs
Coolers (2 cases per cooler)

6 coolers
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Pro Tips for Your Graduation Party

Insider advice from experienced bartenders

💡

Set up a visible '21+ only' bar area and a killer mocktail station so younger guests feel included.

⏰

Parents of graduates drink about 30% less than the graduate's friends - plan your ratios accordingly.

🎯

Keep champagne cold but corked until group photo time - pop bottles for the shot!

🧊

Outdoor graduations in summer need extra cold drinks and 2x the ice you think you need.

✨

Mix of generations means variety is key - have options for every age group.

🛒 Buying Guide

Graduation parties typically skew toward beer and lighter drinks. Stock up on popular light beers and have a good selection of non-alcoholic options since many guests will be under 21. Sparkling cider is a great champagne alternative for toasts that includes everyone.

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