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How Much Beer for a 100 Guest Labor Day Party?

🍺
25
cases of beer

For a 100-guest labor day party lasting 5 hours

15% buffer included
512
Total servings
5.1
Per person
+3
Buffer cases

How We Calculated This

Our bartender-tested formula, step by step

1

Estimate actual drinkers

100 guests × 70% drinking rate
= 70 drinkers

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

2

Calculate base consumption

70 drinkers × 1.5 drinks/hour × 5 hours
= 525 base drinks

Industry standard is 1.5 drinks per person per hour for a 5-hour event.

3

Apply consumption decay

Adjusted for drinking slowdown over time (decay factor: 3.75)
= 394 adjusted drinks

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

4

Apply labor day party modifier

× 1.3 (+30% for beer)
= 512 beer servings needed

Labor Day Partys typically consume 30% more beer than average.

5

Convert to cases

512 servings ÷ 24 servings per case
= 21.3 cases (raw)

Each case of beer provides 24 servings.

6

Add 15% buffer & round up

21.3 × 1.15 = 24.5, rounded up
= 25 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 7 cases 128 servings
50 guests 13 cases 256 servings
75 guests 19 cases 384 servings
100 guests (you) 25 cases 512 servings
150 guests 38 cases 768 servings
200 guests 50 cases 1024 servings

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

Your Shopping List

Everything you need, plus essentials you might forget

🍺
Beer
The main event
25
cases

Don't forget these

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

Pro Tips for Your Labor Day Party

Insider advice from experienced bartenders

💡

End of summer means people are ready to indulge one last time.

Weather can vary - have backup plans for rain.

🎯

Pool parties need drinks near the pool AND inside.

🧊

It's often slightly cooler than July - ice lasts longer.

Monday holiday means people may drink a bit more than usual.

🛒 Buying Guide

Similar to 4th of July but slightly higher consumption as people celebrate the end of summer. Plan 5-6 drinks per person with heavy beer emphasis.

🎉

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