How do you calculate beer and wine amounts for a three-hour reception for 150 people? Most will be light drinkers but a few will probably drink more. I can’t find any clear answers on this issue! We’re just serving beer and wine and non-alcoholic drinks.- Christen Hand (Facebook fan)

Dear Miss Hand,

First, let’s go over a few general guidelines. As a rule, most people will consume one alcoholic drink per hour, as that is the rate the body metabolizes alcohol. So, for example, a guest may have one glass of wine during cocktails, one during dinner and one during dancing. Similarly, a beer drinker will consume approximately three beers over three hours with

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