Why is 24 beers called a case?

The term "case" for 24 beers isn't actually related to the number of beers. It's more about the packaging.

Here's the breakdown:

* Historically: Before the widespread use of cardboard boxes, beer was often sold in wooden crates. These crates held a specific number of bottles, which often varied depending on the size of the bottles.

* Standardization: As packaging evolved, the cardboard box became the standard. To make production and shipping easier, manufacturers settled on a standardized size for the box - usually enough to hold 24 bottles or cans.

* The "Case": This cardboard box, holding 24 beers, became known as a "case" - a simple reference to the type of container.

So, it's not that 24 beers are a case, but rather that a case holds 24 beers due to the standardized packaging format.