How to Host a Beer Tasting Party
Bring Germany to you! Celebrate Oktoberfest with the world’s best brews.
Calling all beer lovers. Are you that friend who jumps up and down whenever craft beer is mentioned? If hops and malts make you smile, why not host a tasting! Add a little competition by asking your fellow beer enthusiasts to bring a brew and have your other guests pick a party favorite by voting.
Take advantage of this week to educate your family and friends on this beloved beverage. From serving essentials to the perfect snack, we dish on the must-have elements of a successful sampling soiree.
The Set Up
Clear off a big table and prepare for the good stuff—icy cold brews, salty pretzels, and a foolproof voting system. Adorn your table with a gingham tablecloth for a subtle ode to German lederhosen, a traditional outfit worn by locals during the country's massive beer festival, Oktoberfest. Add height to the spread with crates, which makes reaching for glasses easier and limits the chance of accidentally knocking things over. Set out mini plastic cups for sampling and encourage company to wash them out for reuse.
Keep the type and brand of each beer a secret (though the color may give it away, guests won't know the specifics). Assign each brew a number for a smooth voting process. Make the event photo-worthy by labeling the beers with flashy marquee numbers—mini chalkboards also work. Cut out slips of paper, grab some pens, and use a jar as your ballot box. Ensure glasses are readily available on the table so guests can enjoy a full pour of their favorite when voting is done.
Which Brewskis to Sample
Encourage friends to step outside their comfort zone by offering a variety of types. We chose an American lager, an India pale ale, and a homemade stout. Yes, we brewed our own! If you're feeling daring you can too. Check out our tools for Home Brewing. To avoid an overlap, assign a specific type to those guests in charge of bringing beer.
Ales
Ales tend to be full-bodied, fruity, and spicy with a hoppy finish. They come in a variety of fruit and malt aromas; bitters, milds, abbey ales, pale ales, and nut browns. These beers are usually a rich brown or amber color, and come with a flavorful acidity and bitter seasoning.
Lagers
The world’s most popular beer! Considered to be crisp and refreshing with a smooth finish, lagers are typically a pale to medium hue. These brews are more carbonated than others, therefore they have a medium to high hop.
Porter
This deep brown colored beer is brewed with roasted malt for an acidic and dry taste. Notes of chocolate and coffee are present in porters, which sometimes finish with a smoky taste.
Stouts
With a roasted, caramel flavor, stouts can range from very dry to very sweet. Much like porters they are a shade of deep brown, but can also be brewed to a black color.
Malts
Brewed with sweeter flavors (caramel, toffee, and nuts), malts can be light- or full-bodied. They are typically a dark color.
A Salty Snack Guests Can't Resist
Pretzels are notorious for making an appearance at these tasting events. (I’m sure you’ve heard of the quintessential pretzel-necklace.) Bring this yummy snack into your party with a pretzel making machine. Create a cooling station by hanging the twists on a mug holder—this prevents them from getting soggy or sticking together. Guests can make their own, or prep some ahead of time and pair them with mini mustard dishes for a grab ‘n’ go experience.
