Beer Party Tips

Oktoberfest starts on September 22nd this year, and lasts for 16 days. But many people celebrate all through September and October. if you're planning a party with friends and beer, here are some tips to for creating a fun beer tasting.

Plan your Oktoberfest beer tasting party!
Here’s your chance to taste several brews, explore new flavors, and get your friends together for an out-of-the ordinary party.

What will you need?

•    Beer

Ask each of your guests to bring a few bottles of beer that fit into your theme. Perhaps beers from Germany, Belgium, the United States or elsewhere Or get a little more silly and choose only beers that have animals on the label (try out our quiz below on that topic). Or, try types of beers you may not have heard of before (suggestions below).

Guide your guests on the technique for sampling:

•        Pour small samples…unlike wine which can be tasted and spit out, beer must be swallowed to taste the hop bitterness on the back of the tongue

•    Hold glass up to observe color
•    Swirl beer in glass to release aromas
•    Sip and hold on tongue
•    Swallow
•    Cleanse palate with bread or water.
•    Talk about what you taste!

Out of the ordinary beers

Here are some suggestions of beers for an "off the beaten path" beer tasting. Go to a local store with a good selection of beers, ans ask them their suggestions. You'll likely find a passionate beer lover who can give you great suggestion.

Bock / Doppelbock
Bock is a strong and malty beer that originated in the German city of Einbeck. It was originally brewed late in the harvest season, stored all winter and tapped in the spring. A stronger bock beer is known as doppelbock.

Oktoberfest (Märzen)
Hearty and full of malt flavor, these beers are traditionally brewed in the spring (märzen means March in German) to last through the summer into  the fall. A nice accompaniment to an Oktoberfest celebration.

Helles  
Helles means “bright” in German, and these pale, golden beers are easy-drinking and slightly less bitter than their neighboring Czech pilsners. Helles is the most popular beer style in Bavaria.

Dunkel
Dunkels (meaning “dark” in German), are smooth reddish-brown beers made with gently toasted barley malts, creating soft caramel, nutty, and coffee flavors.


Animal beer tasting
Perhaps you've decided to taste beers that have animals on the label? You can add to the fun by have your guests compete for a prize in answering this question:

Match which animal goes with which beer label:

Eagle                            Carlsberg
Lion                            Bock beer
Elephant                        Budweiser
Goat                            Lowenbrau


[ANSWERS]:  

Eagle – Budweiser
Lion – Lowenbrau
Elephant – Carlsberg
Goat – Bock Beer


Email us and tell us about your beer parties! We love to post great party ideas on our site and we (of course) will credit you.