Events & Venues
How-To Guide
Feb 21, 2026 4 min read
How Many NA Kegs Do I Need for My Wedding or Event?
The rule of thumb: 1 NA keg per 75-100 guests for a 4-hour event with alcohol also available. Here's the detailed breakdown.
For a typical 4-hour event with alcohol also available, plan on 1 NA keg per 75-100 guests. If it's primarily a non-alcoholic event, plan on 1 keg per 40-50 guests.
Here's the detailed math so you can order with confidence and not run out.
The Formula
NA kegs needed = (Guests × NA Percentage × Drinks per Guest) ÷ 45 servings per keg
Key Variables
- NA Percentage: What share of guests will drink non-alcoholic? Industry data suggests 15-25% at events with full bars, climbing to 60-80% at wellness or sober-curious events.
- Drinks per guest: Plan for 4-5 drinks over a 4-5 hour event, 2-3 for a 2-3 hour event.
- 45 servings: Standard per 1/6 barrel keg at 14 oz pours.
Quick Reference by Guest Count
Standard Event (Alcohol Also Available, ~20% NA)
| Guests | Hours | NA Drinks Needed | Kegs Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 4 | ~45 | 1 |
| 100 | 4 | ~90 | 2 |
| 150 | 4 | ~135 | 3 |
| 200 | 4 | ~180 | 4 |
| 300 | 4 | ~270 | 6 |
NA-Forward Event (50%+ Choosing NA)
| Guests | Hours | NA Drinks Needed | Kegs Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 4 | ~113 | 3 |
| 100 | 4 | ~225 | 5 |
| 150 | 4 | ~338 | 8 |
| 200 | 4 | ~450 | 10 |
Wedding-Specific Guidance
Weddings have unique dynamics:
- Cocktail hour (1 hr): Higher drink rate - ~1.5 drinks per guest
- Dinner (1.5 hrs): Lower drink rate - ~0.5 drinks per guest
- Reception/dancing (2 hrs): Medium rate - ~1 drink per guest per hour
For a 150-person wedding with a full bar:
- Estimated NA drinkers: 30-38 guests (20-25%)
- Total NA drinks: 90-135
- Order 2-3 kegs (we recommend 3 for buffer)
Pro tip: Order 2 different flavors instead of 3 of the same. Guests love choosing between options, and it creates a more engaging bar experience.
Event Type Modifiers
- Corporate events: NA adoption is higher (~25-35%) because people are with colleagues
- Weddings: Moderate (~15-25%) but growing fast
- Health/wellness events: Very high (~60-80%)
- Outdoor summer events: Higher consumption rate - add 20% to estimates
- Short events (2 hrs): Reduce drink count to 2-3 per guest
What to Order
For most events, we recommend:
- 1 crowd-pleaser: Hop water or crisp sparkling tea - broadly appealing
- 1 conversation starter: Mocktail, botanical, or something with visual appeal
- If 3+ kegs: Add a nitro cold brew for guests who want caffeine
Don't Forget
- Confirm your venue has space for a jockey box or kegerator
- Order kegs 2 weeks before the event
- PourZero delivers tap equipment - no rental needed
- Designate a "tap tender" or ask us to recommend one
- Have backup ice if using a jockey box outdoors
If you want help picking kegs and quantities for your event, Get Keg Pricing & Availability and we'll run the numbers with you.
