Big 25th anniversary party and need to know how much beer we need?

If it's as large a party as you say it is then forget the shots. If you get a large amount of hard alcohol someone may wander away with it and

get incredibly drunk by the time anyone else wants some.

If you are going to do mixed drink a not so horrible idea is to buy them premixed. TGI Fridays does a full line of mixers with the right amount already in them. All you need to satisfy anyone is to have them in the back and to serve them in proper sized cups.

In the situation of beer, i'd say for every 2 beer cases you buy grab a 24 pack of soda. also, shortchange yourself on the beer cases. If you plan for 4 cases an hour, then stop at the third hour. If you must have beer JIC then hide one or two cases in a friends car. You can then observe how fast the beer is being put down and accurately judge if you need the extra or not. And if you don't use it, then hey you're set for a good week on beer for yourself :).

Drinking is great, but food with it is also awesome, and not too hard if you think about it. a bowl of chips offer quick carbs, and no prep is needed. Popcorn takes time to eat, and is fun all around. If you have a really hungry group then go to a local deli and order a hero sub. set it out on a table with a knife, and this party will rock.

Finally, try to end up not having beer at the end of the party. Remember the soda i talked about. Offer that to disruptive guests instead of another beer. Often times a soda will give a person time to relax and digest before they get another beer. Plus, if they fill up on soda then they are less likely to get drunk.

Good luck to you and don't be afraid to tell people to leave if they get rowdy. Have a room set aside with a tv or game console that people can watch and cool off if they get angry. That's all I can think of at the moment... wait. Don't EVER be AFRAID to call for HELP. If someone does start showing signs of alcohol poisoning(slurring of speech, severe movement impediment, etc) get them a "buddy" and have that person watch them for signs of fading. Do Not Hesitate to call 911. There is noone who will ever look down on you for that. Even if it's a false call, they get a free checkup and a ride in a ambulance, and who doesn't love that! ;P

Oooh...legal issues here. If folks get smashed and then drive drunk and have an accident, you can be held legally responsible. Your goal shouldn't be to get the "big drinkers" drunk, after all. I'd suggest skipping the shots...too easy to get sh*t faced with them. 30 beers is more than 30 "standard" servings (5% alcohol). 1 oz. hard liquor is a serving (80 proof), as is 3-4oz of wine (12% alcohol).

The average person metabolizes about 1 standard drink (10 grams) per hour.

Heavy drinkers have more active livers and may be able to metabolize up to 3 drinks per hour.

People with liver diseases will metabolize less than 1 drink per hour.

If you do 3 cases of beer, that will be enough for all 85 drinkers and then some for 1 hour of party.

Some considerations: Serve plenty of food to slow alcohol absorption. Can you serve wine or do plenty of mixer with the booze? Can you guarantee designated drivers? Can you serve no alcohol the last hour of the party to give folks a chance to sober up?

Check out the link and make some informed choices.