40 Beers involves drinking 40 beers in a period of 24 hours. During the period you cannot puke, but you may sleep. One may choose to drink a number "n" say the first night, sleep for a few hours and drink the remaining 40-n beers, as long as it occurs within 24 hours of commencing.
Old tradition dictates the first 15 be done at ritual, ideally with turbo.