Why Not Host a Beer Tasting Party?

For your next party at the house, why not host a beer tasting event?  This is a great way to introduce your buddies to craft beer and have a fun, unique party. 

Here are a few suggestions

-It’s best to invite a small gathering, 4-10 people and mandate that the objective is purely to have fun!

-We suggest you pour 6 - 8 beers, and only fill each glass 1//3 of the way.  2 bottles of 12oz for each style per 8 people works well.

-The glasses should be clear (no plastic PLEASE) and large red wine glasses do just fine. Please be sure they are clean!

-Set up the tasting to start with the least %ABV (alcohol) and minimal hoppiness /flavor and proceed to the more robust beers

-Note, do not be concerned with shade; the darker the beer       has little to do with how robust the style is nor amount of alcohol.

-Have a pitcher of water to rinse both your month and the glass

-Also, crackers (unsalted) or bread might help to cleanse the palette between tastings

-Be sure not to serve the beer to cold – over chilled beer numbs the taste buds!

-Everyone should taste the same beer at the same time.  It’s more than fine to discuss the attributes of each beer with one another – why keep it a secret, if fact, this is encouraged and commenting on each beer is the objective to the party!

-You can certainly hand out a beer-rating sheet – there’s plenty of websites that do a good job presenting score sheets for you to print and distribute

-Lots of factors to evaluate and discuss – keep it simple … it’s a party

         -Presentation – shade, aroma, head, clarity

         -Taste- fruity, dry, sweet, bitter, smooth, yeasty, alcohol

         -Body – Thin/Thick, temperature, bubbly, mouth feel 
         -Drinkability – personal preference – no right / wrong answer here 
         -Overall impression – AKA would you buy a 6pack or dump it down the drain?

-May also be helpful, after the discussion begins, to present a professional description of the beer and style.  Folks like Beer Advocate and Rate Beer both do a fine job here.

Remember, the real trick is to remind everyone to have fun! The best beer is the one YOU like! 

Don’t forget to order more beer for everyone to celebrate AFTER the tasting

Cheers!