How Much Beer for 20 People?
Quick Answer
For 20 people at a medium party, you need approximately 60 12oz cans/bottles of beer.
Estimated cost: $60 - $150
How We Calculate
Start with guest count
20 people
Multiply by drinks per person
20 × 3 = 60 total 12oz cans/bottles
Convert to purchasing units
60 ÷ 1 servings per 12oz can/bottle = 60 12oz cans/bottles
Tips for Serving Beer to 20 Guests
- ✓ Offer a mix of light and regular beers
- ✓ Keep beer ice cold (32-38°F)
- ✓ Plan for more if it's a hot day or outdoor event
- ✓ Buy extra - unopened beer keeps well
- ✓ Consider a keg for 50+ guests (1 keg = ~165 12oz servings)
Service Plan for 20 Guests
For a medium party, plan on approximately 60 total servings over a 3-hour event. Keep a 10-15% buffer so you can handle late arrivals and heavier-than-average consumption.
Because beer is typically served alongside other drinks, set a second non-alcoholic option to avoid over-concentration on a single beverage and reduce stockout risk.
- Prep checklist: 72+ cups, 30+ lbs of ice, and backup storage nearby.
- Chill strategy: pre-chill at least 70% before service to reduce ice melt and dilution.
- Replenishment cadence: refresh serving stations every 30-45 minutes instead of all at once.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much beer do I need for 20 people?
For 20 people at a standard 3-hour party, you need 60 12oz cans/bottles. This is based on 3 12oz cans/bottles per person.
What's the cost of beer for 20 guests?
Expect to spend $60 - $150 on beer for 20 people, based on typical prices of $1-$2.5 per 12oz can/bottle.
Should I buy extra beer?
Yes! We recommend adding 10-15% extra for unexpected guests or heavy drinkers. That's about 9 more 12oz cans/bottles.
Editorial Process and Sources
Last reviewed: February 19, 2026
Publisher: FeedMyGuests Editorial Team · Contact: contact@feedmyguests.com
This page is generated from structured beer consumption baselines and conversion rules, then reviewed for calculation consistency and internal-link quality checks.
Reference Sources
- USDA FoodData Central Retrieved: February 19, 2026
- NIH Rethinking Drinking (standard drink references) Retrieved: February 19, 2026
- FDA Food Safety Guidance Retrieved: February 19, 2026