How Much Beer for a Party?

For 100 guests on a full bar, beer typically runs somewhere between 1 case and 17 cases, depending on the event: a wedding shower needs as little as 1 case, while a Super Bowl party can call for 17. That is because beer's share of the bar shifts dramatically by occasion, from 6.8 percent at a wedding shower up to 60.9 percent at a Super Bowl party, where it becomes the dominant pour. Each case holds 24 cans, and the totals above already build in a 15 percent buffer so the last hour does not run dry.

If beer is the only alcohol served, plan for more: a Super Bowl party can call for 27 cases and a wedding shower for 4, since guests lean harder on a single option when nothing else is poured. Expect the first hour to be the heaviest for beer specifically, since it is often the easy choice before people settle into wine or spirits. The table below gives the exact figure for your event and guest count.