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How Much Beer for a 125 Guest Halloween Party?

🍺
23
cases of beer

For a 125-guest halloween party lasting 4 hours

15% buffer included
469
Total servings
3.8
Per person
+3
Buffer cases

How We Calculated This

Our bartender-tested formula, step by step

1

Estimate actual drinkers

125 guests × 70% drinking rate
= 88 drinkers

At large events, about 70% of guests typically drink alcohol.

2

Calculate base consumption

88 drinkers × 1.5 drinks/hour × 4 hours
= 528 base drinks

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

3

Apply consumption decay

Adjusted for drinking slowdown over time (decay factor: 3.25)
= 429 adjusted drinks

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

4

Apply halloween party modifier

× 1.1 (+10% for beer)
= 469 beer servings needed

Halloween Partys typically consume 10% more beer than average.

5

Convert to cases

469 servings ÷ 24 servings per case
= 19.5 cases (raw)

Each case of beer provides 24 servings.

6

Add 15% buffer & round up

19.5 × 1.15 = 22.4, rounded up
= 23 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 94 servings
50 guests 10 cases 188 servings
75 guests 14 cases 281 servings
100 guests 19 cases 375 servings
150 guests 28 cases 563 servings
200 guests 37 cases 750 servings

* All calculations include a 15% buffer. Amounts for halloween party.

Your Shopping List

Everything you need, plus essentials you might forget

🍺
Beer
The main event
23
cases

Don't forget these

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

Pro Tips for Your Halloween Party

Insider advice from experienced bartenders

💡

Specialty cocktails with spooky names are a must - batch them ahead.

Dark spirits (whiskey, dark rum) fit the theme better than clear spirits.

🎯

Punch bowls with dry ice create amazing effects.

🧊

People in elaborate costumes drink slower - they don't want to spill.

Adult-only parties consume 40% more than family Halloween events.

🛒 Buying Guide

Halloween parties are cocktail-heavy. Plan for 2-3 specialty cocktails per person plus regular bar options. Red wine fits the theme well. Have themed cups and garnishes.

🎉

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