Wedding Beer Calculator
Estimate wedding beer cases from your guest count, duration, non-drinkers, and crowd preference, with keg serving equivalents for comparison.
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TL;DR - Quick Answer
With the live defaults—100 guests, 5 hours, 10% non-drinkers, Beer Crowd, and no buffer—the calculator plans 270 beers, rounded to 12 cases. This follows 2 drinks in the first hour and 1 in each later hour, with 50% of the total assigned to beer.
Wedding Beer Quick Facts
How It Works
1. Enter Guest Count
Tell us how many guests are attending your wedding reception
2. Set Reception Duration
Enter the actual hours during which beer will be available
3. Get Beer Quantities
Instant results in cases and kegs, plus wine and liquor amounts
Wedding Beer Quick Reference
Four-hour examples with 10% non-drinkers, no buffer, and 24 beers per case
These estimates assume beer, wine, and cocktails are all available. Use the calculator above for personalized quantities including wine and liquor.
Kegs vs Cases: Which Is Right for Your Wedding?
Kegs
- Can reduce individual cans and bottles
- Less waste and packaging
- Fresh draft taste
- Requires tap equipment and CO2
- Limited to 1-2 beer varieties
Cases (Bottles/Cans)
- More variety - offer multiple styles
- No special equipment needed
- Easier for outdoor/remote venues
- Unopened stock is easier to count after service
- Per-serving cost depends on local pack and keg quotes
Beer Style Selection Questions
Taste With the Menu
The calculator does not assign beer styles from season or weather. Taste available products with the menu and use known preferences to choose the final split.
- • Light lagers and pilsners
- • Wheat beers (Blue Moon, Hefeweizen)
- • Session IPAs
- • Mexican-style lagers
Verify the Service Plan
Confirm the exact products, package or keg formats, substitutions, delivered price, storage, chilling and serving equipment before ordering.
- • Which products and package sizes are in stock?
- • What substitutions require approval?
- • Who receives, stores and chills the beer?
- • Which dispensing equipment and deposits apply?
Wedding Beer Cost Estimates
Use the calculator's editable assumption as a starting point, then replace it with written local quotes
Calculator Baseline
This editable US assumption powers the estimate; it is not a current market quote.
Case Quote
Compare the same package size and include tax, delivery, chilling, and venue handling.
Keg Quote
Include deposits, tap or CO2 equipment, delivery, pickup, and expected serving loss.
UK Wedding Beer Guide
Planning a UK wedding? Beer choices, pack sizes, and even pint measurements differ from the US. Here is what you need to know.
UK Beer Selection
- Lagers - Choose a broadly familiar option based on your guest list
- Real ales - Local brewery options add a personal touch
- Craft IPAs - Include one only when it matches known preferences
- Cider and alcohol-free options - Count them separately from beer
UK Pack Sizes and Measurements
- UK pint = 568ml vs US pint = 473ml - UK pints are 20% larger
- Cases - Pack sizes vary; confirm whether a quoted case contains 12, 24, or another quantity
- Bottle size - Standard UK beer bottles are 330ml or 500ml
- Kegs - UK kegs are 50L (88 pints) or 30L (52 pints)
Where to Buy Wedding Beer in the UK
Request written quotes from supermarkets, wholesalers, local breweries, and the venue. Normalize each quote to the same total volume and include VAT, delivery, deposits, chilling, and service equipment.
Before ordering:Confirm pack sizes, current inventory, delivery timing, and the seller's actual unopened-product terms. Do not assume a promotion or return policy will still apply on your event date.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cases of beer for a 100-person wedding?
For 100 guests at 4 hours with the calculator's 10% non-drinker setting and no buffer, the Balanced Mix profile produces 149 beers, rounded to 7 cases. The Beer Crowd profile produces 225 beers, rounded to 10 cases.
Should I get kegs or cases for a wedding?
One 15.5-gallon US keg is modeled as about 165 12oz servings, while a case contains 24. Compare written local quotes that include keg deposits, tap or CO2 equipment, delivery, and unused-product terms. Cases can simplify variety and service; kegs reduce individual packaging but require compatible equipment.
How much beer per person for a 5-hour wedding?
With 100 total guests, 10% non-drinkers, 5 hours, and no buffer, the calculator first plans 540 total drinks. The Balanced Mix profile assigns 179 to beer, or 8 cases; the Beer Crowd profile assigns 270 to beer, or 12 cases.
What types of beer should I serve at a wedding?
A practical starting assortment is a lighter lager, a more distinctive ale or IPA, and an alcohol-free option. Use your guest preferences and caterer or retailer input to choose the split; the calculator estimates the total beer quantity rather than predicting style demand.
How do I keep beer cold at an outdoor wedding?
Ask the caterer or beverage provider to size refrigeration and ice for the exact beer volume, starting temperature, container type, weather, service time and replenishment plan. Kegs need compatible dispensing equipment and should follow the brewer or distributor's handling guidance.
Do guests drink more beer at a summer wedding than a winter wedding?
The calculator does not apply an automatic seasonal consumption increase. Use the Beer Crowd profile if your guests are likely to favor beer, and ask your venue or retailer whether the setting, weather, and service plan justify adding the optional 20% buffer.
How many cases of beer for an outdoor wedding with 150 guests?
For 150 guests at 4 hours with 10% non-drinkers and no buffer, the Balanced Mix profile produces 223 beers, rounded to 10 cases. The Beer Crowd profile produces 338 beers, rounded to 15 cases. Outdoor service does not change the formula automatically; use the buffer only when it fits your event.
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