How much beer do I need for 30 guests?

You need 9 cases of beer for 30 guests at a labor day party. This provides 176 total servings with a 15% buffer to ensure you don't run out.

How much beer per person for a labor day party?

Plan for 5.9 servings of beer per person at a labor day 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 30 guests, you'll need 9 cases to provide 176 total servings.

What percentage of guests will drink beer at a labor day party?

At a labor day party with 30 guests, approximately 24 guests (80%) will actively drink. Our formula accounts for this when calculating the 9 cases you need.

Should I buy extra beer as a buffer?

Yes! Our calculation of 9 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 9 cases of beer last for 30 guests?

9 cases of beer will last approximately 5 hours for 30 guests at a labor day party. This calculation factors in the natural slowdown of consumption as the event progresses.

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How Much Beer for a 30 Guest Labor Day Party?

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cases of beer

For a 30-guest labor day party lasting 5 hours

15% buffer included

176

Total servings

5.9

Per person

Buffer cases

How We Calculated This

Our bartender-tested formula, step by step

Estimate actual drinkers

30 guests × 80% drinking rate

= 24 drinkers

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

Calculate base consumption

24 drinkers × 1.5 drinks/hour × 5 hours

= 180 base drinks

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

Apply consumption decay

Adjusted for drinking slowdown over time (decay factor: 3.75)

= 135 adjusted drinks

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

Apply labor day party modifier

× 1.3 (+30% for beer)

= 176 beer servings needed

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

Convert to cases

176 servings ÷ 24 servings per case

= 7.3 cases (raw)

Each case of beer provides 24 servings.

Add 15% buffer & round up

7.3 × 1.15 = 8.4, rounded up

= 9 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	8 cases	147 servings
50 guests	15 cases	293 servings
75 guests	23 cases	440 servings
100 guests	30 cases	587 servings
150 guests	45 cases	880 servings
200 guests	60 cases	1173 servings

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

Your Shopping List

Everything you need, plus essentials you might forget

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Beer

The main event

cases

Don't forget these

Ice (Keep those beers cold!)

108 lbs
Coolers (2 cases per cooler)

5 coolers
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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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