Alcohol For Reception..Help!

amy5542

Ok I need some help with how much alcohol to purchase for the reception. We are serving canned beer. We are expecting around 200 people total. We are having 2 kinds of beer. We were thinking 25 cases of Budlight which would be 600 cans. We are also having Busch Light they come 30 in a case. That is 750 cans.  This just seems like alot of beer for 200 people. We can always take the extra home but I don't want to purchase to much extra. Is anyone having canned beer and how much are you having at the reception?We are also having liquor. How many bottles of liquor should I purchase? We are having 4  different kinds of liquor. Thanks for all your advice!!

CorvetteJen

I would ask the liquor store. We used the Cork and Bottle in KY.  They also deliver for free. They usually have good estimates and will take back unopened bottles.  I would highly recommend bottled beer instead of cans.

Audge.Podge

I would recommend using the Party Source's beverage calculator.  You can enter the number of guests, length of party and even how heavy of drinkers people are.  It will give you a good idea of how much to buy (for both beer and liquor).  You also can call someone at the Party source who can guide you as to how much you should buy.   [url]http://www.thepartysource.com/spirits_calc.php[/url]Is there a reason you are serving canned beer rather than a keg?  A keg would probably be cheaper, even if you overpurchased. 

gianfavl

We used a "Beverage Calculator" for our Rehearsal dinner...what we found out is you really need to know what your guests like to drink...We did not have enough beer and had to go get more, we had bottles of wine left over, and went through almost no liquor...It really depends on who is coming.

abbey&josh

We used Party Source's calculator, but we are doing kegs, so I'm not going to be much help.

amy5542

I used the party source calculator and it does help. Thank You all!

lindseycolatrella

I found this guide online.  I am planning on tweaking it a bit.  http://www.usabride.com/wedplan/a_liquor.html(If this link doesnt work I'll try again...)I was also talking to a friend who owns a bar in MN.  He has provided alcohol for lots of weddings.  He suggested 3 kegs for our 200 person wedding + wine + liquor.  I think kegs are the most cost-effective.

lindseycolatrella

Close enough....

stosha1

Is there a reason you're using cans and not bottles or, even better, kegs? They're much easier to use (and not to mention environmentally friendly!)I always go with the rule 2-3 drinks per person per night for averages. Only 1/2 of your guests will drink beer, and many will not drink as much since it's canned beer (I know I wouldn't anyways).