Stocking Up: Beer Buying Guide For A 200-Person Party

Planning a party can be stressful, especially when it comes to figuring out how much beer, wine, and other drinks to buy. A good rule of thumb is to plan for one drink per guest per hour of the event. This means that for a 4-hour party with 200 guests, you will need 800 drinks. If you are only serving beer and wine, a common breakdown is 60% beer and 40% wine. This would translate to 480 beers and 320 glasses of wine for a 4-hour party with 200 guests. However, it's always a good idea to overshoot a bit in case some guests drink more than others. It's also important to provide non-alcoholic options, such as water, soft drinks, juices, and iced tea. Don't forget to stock up on ice, glasses, garnishes, and napkins as well!

Plan for one drink per guest, per hour

Planning drinks for a party of 200 can be a daunting task. Here is a detailed plan to ensure you have enough beer for your guests, based on the assumption that each guest will have one drink per hour.

First, it is important to understand that for a party of this size, you will likely need a variety of drinks to cater to different tastes. In addition to beer, consider offering wine, non-alcoholic beverages, and possibly a limited selection of cocktails or spirits. This will ensure that your guests have options and can find something they enjoy.

Now, let's focus on the beer. As a rule of thumb, plan for each guest to have one drink per hour. This means that for a 4-hour party with 200 guests, you will need a total of 800 drinks, assuming everyone drinks beer. However, since you will likely be offering other beverage options, we can allocate a portion of the total drinks to beer.

Assuming 40% of all party drinks will be beer, you will need 320 beers for a 4-hour party (800 x 40%). This calculation is based on the average assumption that 40% of drinks served at a party are typically beer.

If you are serving bottled beer, you will need to purchase or rent glasses, as well as ice to keep the beverages chilled. For a 4-hour party with 200 guests, plan to have at least 300 bottles of beer on hand. This allows for each guest to have one bottle every hour, with some extra in case some guests drink more than others.

If you prefer to serve beer on tap, a standard keg contains 15.5 gallons of beer, which is approximately 165 12-ounce servings. For a party of 200, you may need more than one keg, especially if beer is the primary drink of choice.

To ensure you don't run out, it is always a good idea to overshoot your estimates and have some extra drinks on hand. Leftovers are not a problem, as alcoholic beverages can be stored and enjoyed later.

In addition to beer, don't forget to stock up on other essentials like ice, glasses, garnishes, and napkins. A well-stocked bar will enhance your guests' drinking experience and ensure a successful party.

By following this plan, you can confidently host a party for 200, knowing that you have enough beer to keep your guests happily refreshed throughout the event.

Expect 12oz of beer to be drunk every 30-60 minutes

If you're planning a party for 200 people and you expect them to drink 12oz of beer every 30-60 minutes, you'll need to do some calculations to ensure you have enough beer. First, let's assume your party will last for 4 hours, which is a typical duration for a party.

Number of guests x hours of party time = total drinks needed

200 guests x 4 hours = 800 drinks

Now, we know that people drink about 12oz of beer in 30-60 minutes. So, in an hour, they might drink:

12oz in 30 minutes = 24oz in an hour

12oz in 60 minutes = 12oz in an hour

So, we can estimate that each guest will drink between 12 and 24 ounces of beer per hour. For 200 guests, that would be:

12 oz per guest per hour x 200 guests = 2400 to 4800 oz of beer for the entire party

Now, a standard keg contains 15.5 gallons or 165 12-oz servings of beer. This means you will need between 2 and 4 kegs of beer to ensure your guests can drink 12oz every 30-60 minutes throughout the 4-hour party.

Remember, this calculation assumes that all guests will be drinking beer. If you're serving other alcoholic beverages, you may need less beer.

Buy bottled beer or ensure a keg can serve 40% of guests

When planning a party, it's essential to consider how much beer to buy and whether to buy bottled beer or ensure a keg can serve 40% of guests. Here are some factors to consider:

Amount of Beer

The amount of beer required depends on the number of guests, the duration of the party, and guests' drinking preferences. As a rule of thumb, plan for one drink per guest per hour. For a party of 200, a good estimate is 40% will opt for beer, which translates to 800 drinks. A standard keg holds 165 12-ounce servings, so one keg should suffice for a 200-guest party, with some leftover.

Bottled Beer vs. Keg

Now, let's delve into the pros and cons of bottled beer versus kegs:

Bottled Beer

• Variety: Bottled beer allows you to offer different types of beer, catering to diverse guest preferences. It's ideal for offering no more than four types of beer to avoid overwhelming your guests with choices.
• Freshness: Bottled beer stays fresh for about a year when unopened, whereas kegs last less than 24 hours unless stored in a kegerator. Bottled beer is a better option if you want to avoid waste.
• Ease of Service: Bottled beer is quicker to open and serve, ensuring a faster and happier bar line. It's a more convenient option, especially when considering the time it takes to pour from a keg.
• Portability: Bottled beer is easier to transport and doesn't require additional equipment like taps and coolers. It's a good choice if you're setting up the bar yourself.

Keg

• Bulk Purchase: Kegs allow you to buy beer in bulk, and they can be 40-60% cheaper than bottles. If most of your guests prefer beer, a keg is the most economical option.
• Reduced Waste: Kegs eliminate individual packaging and labels, reducing waste. They are also reusable, making them a more environmentally friendly option.
• Brand Options: Many local microbreweries don't bottle their beer but do fill kegs. If you want to offer a specific craft beer, a keg may be the only way to serve it. We recommend offering no more than two types of beer from kegs.
• Taste and Presentation: Draft beer often tastes fresher and looks better, especially when poured by a professional bartender. It can elevate your event and create a classier atmosphere.

In conclusion, when deciding between bottled beer or ensuring a keg can serve 40% of guests, consider factors such as guest preferences, cost, variety, waste, and ease of service. Both options have their pros and cons, so choose the one that best aligns with your event's needs and your guests' expectations.

Provide non-alcoholic options

When planning a party, it's important to provide non-alcoholic options for teetotalers and designated drivers. Here are some ideas to ensure your guests have a variety of non-alcoholic choices:

Water

It's essential to have water available for your guests, and it's recommended to offer both mineral and bottled water options.

Soft Drinks

Provide a variety of soft drinks to cater to different tastes. Include classics like lemon-lime, diet lemon-lime, cola, and diet cola. You can also add some variety with specialty options like root beer or cream soda.

Juices

Offer a selection of juices such as orange, cranberry, tomato, and other fruit juices like grape or apple.

Non-Alcoholic Cocktails

Get creative with non-alcoholic cocktails! Mix orange juice, lemon juice, club soda, and brewed tea for a fruity punch. You can also try a smoky lavender-rosemary lemonade by charring lemons on the grill and adding a touch of lavender for a unique summer drink.

Iced Tea

Iced tea is a refreshing option, especially when combined with fruit punch or served as sweet tea with a hint of watermelon and mint.

Lemonade

In addition to traditional lemonade, you can offer variations like strawberry-mint lemonade or Brazilian lemonade for a unique twist.

Non-Alcoholic Beer and Wine

Include some non-alcoholic beer and wine options for guests who want the experience without the alcohol.

Agua Fresca

Agua fresca is a popular non-alcoholic drink in Mexico, made by combining fruit juice, lime juice, water, and a sweetener. It's a refreshing option for a summer party.

Remember, it's important to have a variety of non-alcoholic options to ensure all your guests have something to enjoy. You can also get creative with garnishes and glass decorations to make these drinks more festive and enjoyable!

Don't forget the water

When planning a party, it's easy to get carried away with the drinks and food and forget about the water. However, it is an essential item on your list and one that your guests will appreciate.

Firstly, it's important to consider how much water you will need. A good rule of thumb is to estimate that your guests will drink about 12 ounces of water every half hour to an hour during the party. So, for a party of 200, you will need 200 guests x 12 ounces of water = 2400 ounces of water. That's 2400/128 = 19 gallons of water.

Now that you know how much water you need, it's time to think about how to serve it. If you're looking for a simple and economical option, a water dispenser is a great choice. They come in various sizes and shapes, with glass and acrylic being the most common materials. You can fill the dispenser with ice and water, and as the ice melts, it will keep the water chilled. If you want to get fancy, you can add fruit to the water to make it more appealing. Some great options include:

• Red fruits: watermelon, cherries, pomegranate seeds, and strawberries.
• Yellow/green fruits: lemons, limes, kiwi, and grapes.
• Purple/blue fruits: grapes, blackberries, plums, and blueberries.

Alternatively, you can serve water in a simple glass pitcher or individual water bottles. These can be filled and chilled ahead of time and brought out when your guests arrive. Adding a slice of lemon or some fruit to the pitcher will make the water extra refreshing.

So, when planning your party, don't forget the water! It's an easy way to keep your guests hydrated and their energy levels up.

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