How much beer do I need for 150 guests?

You need 23 cases of beer for 150 guests at a new year's eve party. This provides 473 total servings with a 15% buffer to ensure you don't run out.

How much beer per person for a new year's eve party?

Plan for 3.2 servings of beer per person at a new year's eve 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 150 guests, you'll need 23 cases to provide 473 total servings.

What percentage of guests will drink beer at a new year's eve party?

At a new year's eve party with 150 guests, approximately 105 guests (70%) will actively drink. Our formula accounts for this when calculating the 23 cases you need.

Should I buy extra beer as a buffer?

Yes! Our calculation of 23 cases already includes a 15% buffer (3 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 23 cases of beer last for 150 guests?

23 cases of beer will last approximately 5 hours for 150 guests at a new year's eve party. This calculation factors in the natural slowdown of consumption as the event progresses.

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🍷 Wine 🍺 Beer viewing 🥂 Champagne 🥃 Spirits

How Much Beer for a 150 Guest New Year's Eve Party?

🍺

cases of beer

For a 150-guest new year's eve party lasting 5 hours

15% buffer included

473

Total servings

3.2

Per person

Buffer cases

How We Calculated This

Our bartender-tested formula, step by step

Estimate actual drinkers

150 guests × 70% drinking rate

= 105 drinkers

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

Calculate base consumption

105 drinkers × 1.5 drinks/hour × 5 hours

= 788 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)

= 591 adjusted drinks

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

Apply new year's eve party modifier

× 0.8 (-20% for beer)

= 473 beer servings needed

New Year's Eve Partys typically consume 20% less beer than average.

Convert to cases

473 servings ÷ 24 servings per case

= 19.7 cases (raw)

Each case of beer provides 24 servings.

Add 15% buffer & round up

19.7 × 1.15 = 22.7, 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	4 cases	79 servings
50 guests	8 cases	158 servings
75 guests	12 cases	237 servings
100 guests	16 cases	315 servings
150 guests (you)	23 cases	473 servings
200 guests	31 cases	631 servings

* All calculations include a 15% buffer. Amounts for new year's eve 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!)

276 lbs
Coolers (2 cases per cooler)

12 coolers
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Pro Tips for Your New Year's Eve Party

Insider advice from experienced bartenders

💡

70% of champagne is consumed between 11:30pm and 12:15am - time your chilling.

⏰

Have champagne COLD and ready to pour at 11:55pm.

🎯

People pace themselves until 10pm then drinking accelerates.

🧊

Late-night parties need designated drivers or Uber - plan ahead.

✨

Noisemakers and party favors should be near the champagne station.

🛒 Buying Guide

This is THE champagne event. Plan 1 bottle per 3-4 guests for the midnight toast, plus additional for cocktails (French 75s, Kir Royale). Have regular bar options for earlier in the evening. Stock more than you think - better to have leftovers than run out at midnight.

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