Calculate exactly how many cases (or kegs) of beer you need for your wedding reception. No more guessing - get the right amount for your crowd.
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How long will your reception last? Most are 4-5 hours
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Beer quantities for weddings serving beer, wine, and cocktails (4-hour reception)
These estimates assume beer, wine, and cocktails are all available. Use our full calculator for personalized quantities including wine and liquor.
Expect 20-30% higher beer consumption in warm weather. Guests reach for cold, refreshing drinks.
Beer consumption drops slightly as guests prefer wine and cocktails. Offer richer styles.
Budget ranges for beer at your wedding reception
Domestic beers like Bud Light, Coors, Miller. Great for casual weddings.
Import and craft options like Blue Moon, Sam Adams, Stella Artois.
Local craft breweries, specialty imports, or custom-labeled wedding beers.
For a 4-hour wedding reception with 100 guests serving beer, wine, and liquor, plan for about 70-80 beers (3 cases). If your crowd leans toward beer lovers, increase to 120-140 beers (5-6 cases). Our calculator adjusts based on your guest preferences.
Kegs are more cost-effective for large weddings (100+ guests) and reduce waste. One standard keg (15.5 gallons) serves about 165 12oz beers. However, bottles and cans offer more variety and are easier for venues without draft equipment. Consider a mix: one keg of a crowd-pleaser plus craft bottles for variety.
At a typical wedding with beer, wine, and cocktails available, about 20-30% of drinks consumed are beer. This varies significantly by crowd - a casual summer wedding might see 40-50% beer, while a formal evening affair might drop to 15-20%.
Offer 2-3 options: a light lager (Pilsner, light beer) for broad appeal, a craft option or IPA for beer enthusiasts, and optionally a seasonal choice. For summer weddings, wheat beers and lagers are popular. Fall weddings pair well with amber ales or Oktoberfest styles.
Plan for 1.5 lbs of ice per guest plus extra for beer tubs. For 100 guests, that is 150+ lbs of ice. Use galvanized tubs or coolers, and have a backup ice run scheduled mid-reception. Kegs need dedicated tap systems with CO2 and should be kept at 36-38°F.
Yes, significantly. Summer and warm-weather weddings typically see 20-30% higher beer consumption. Guests drink lighter, colder beverages when it is hot. Winter weddings tend toward more wine and cocktails. Our calculator accounts for these preferences.
For outdoor weddings, increase your beer order by 20-30% compared to indoor events. Guests drink more beer when it is warm and casual. For a 100-guest outdoor summer wedding, plan for 5-6 cases (vs 3-4 for indoor). Also factor in longer events - outdoor weddings often run longer with extended cocktail hours.
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