How to Choose Beer for a Beer Tasting Party

Whether you're just getting into craft beer and want to expand your horizons or you simply want to drink every beer on the planet, beer tasting parties are the best way to try new types of beer while bonding with pals. Your first beer tasting party can be a little tricky, so follow these steps to ensure everything goes smoothly.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Beer

1. Locate a liquor store that has a good variety of craft beers. This should be easy to find with the many websites dedicated to beer. The good thing about stores that specialize in beer is that you can usually stroll through the aisles buying individual bottles, instead of whole six packs. Another great thing is that the majority of these stores offer discounts if you shop this way.

2. Purchase some lighter beers, like pilsners (not imperial pilsners), golden ales and a light pale ale. If you still aren't sure what beers are what, find somebody who works at the liquor store, tell them what you are doing, and they should help you out.

3. Buy beers that are in season for something special. Whether its, winter, spring, summer, or fall, there are plenty of seasonal beers to choose from. This could serve as a great theme for your party and will add to the variety of beer you offer guests. For example, if it's the middle of summer, simply go to the store and buy as many summer beers as you feel necessary. During fall you could have an Oktoberfest theme and purchase only Oktoberfest beers. During winter, stick to winter warmer beers.

4. Visit a local brewery and and buy a bottle of each style of beer they have. If the brewery you chose has too many styles to drink in one night, then turn it into a two-night event.

5. Look for international beers to serve to your guest at your beer tasting party. There are Belgian beers, French beers, German beers and so on.

6. Select a variety of beer styles (there are many). Look for cream ale, IPA, dunkelweizen, smoked porter, or anything else that looks appealing.

Tips & Warnings

• Have some saltines available for guests. These help cleanse your palate in between beer.
• You must be 21 to purchase alcoholic beverages.

Resources

• Beer Advocate

[wendyrgould]

on 5/14/2009 Nice article - rated *5

[davidcoppens]

on 5/14/2009 Great article!