How Much Beer for 40 People?

The bartender's rule: 2 drinks per person the first hour, 1 each hour after — so a 3-hour party runs about 4 beers per beer drinker. Halve the total for a mixed wine-and-beer crowd.

Light lagers should be half of any order — it's what most guests drink most of, whatever they say they prefer.

Adjusting for your crowd: kids eat about two-thirds of adult portions; knock 25% off any single item when several mains share the table; add 25% for teenagers and big appetites. When in doubt, round up on the cheap items (buns, chips, ice) and stay exact on the expensive ones.