Throw your typical soiree a curve ball by hosting an international beer tasting. It’s easy, fun and casual.
MENU
Appetizers: Veggies & Dip; Tortilla Chips & Salsas & Guacamole & Chili con Queso (cheese dip)
Main Course: Make a Pot of Chili with all the Garnishes
Dessert: Individual Containers of Vanilla Ice Creams with Fruit Garnishes
Beverages: (beer), a few non-alcoholic beverages, and bottled waters
INVITATION
Old school hand-written invitations make the best impression. But online works, too. Include instructions that guests should RSVP with the country of beer they will represent with a cold six pack per person. The invitation should stipulate that there are no duplicates (and the more exotic, the better).
SET UP
The Buffet: Knock yourself out with a nice buffet setting. Place items at different heights. Use nice linens. And small groupings of colorful flowers (gerbera daisies) in beer bottles make it look like you tried. A few blossoms can be beheaded, and placed amidst the serving plates on the buffet.
Seating: Depending on your backyard, go with a long table or multiple rounds. Hit the warehouse club for some tablelinens, or rent a few to cover all the tables. Go with all white.
Centerpiece: Hardware store galvanized low, round buckets. If they aren’t sealed, line them with white plastic bags and fill loosely with ice, so 10 beer bottles will fit inside. Have a clipboard at each bucket, with graph paper. Number 1-5 with beer name written on the left; and a rating of 1- 2- 3- 4-stars on the top. Have a handful of golf pencils at the table, for guests to initial their ratings.
Styrofoam Coolers: Get about 5 of the large ones (that can hold 40 beers and ice) and number them. Keep them beneath the tables near the centerpieces, within easy reach for replenishing.
Beer Glasses: To keep the party a “tasting,” small glasses encourage guests to sample the wide array of beers, without committing to a whole bottle. Small juice-size glasses are ideal. Each person can identify his glass with a sticker, brandishing their initials.
NIGHT BEFORE
Look over RSVP list and assign 5 six packs per cooler. Create a master country list, and as guests arrive, assign their beer to a cooler. Have them to put two beers on top of the table, and the remainder in their cooler. You should know in advance (from the RSVPs) the number of attendees/six packs to expect.
Cheers!
