“Pass me a beer” is a phrase often heard at parties. And for good reason – it’s perfect for those looking to ease into the night, for those who don’t know what to do with their hands, or for those who just can’t drink another vodka soda.
Even if you’re not a beer drinker, many of your guests might be. But especially with the craft-beer craze, it can be tricky to know what kinds will be right for your crowd or how much beer to buy in general. If you offer too many options, you create a situation where you don’t buy enough of each type for a guest to have seconds or thirds of their selection. So what should you buy, and how much should you get? We’ve broken down the tried and true formula, so you can be sure your guests can FIND and HAVE beer they like throughout the party.
In our experience, offering 3 to 5 different options of beer at a party strikes a good balance. Aim for quality of options instead of quantity. Choosing from this list is a good guide for what types of beer to buy, and you can tweak these recommendations based on known guest preferences. We provide examples of beers that are generally available throughout the nation but encourage hosts to buy from craft brewers if possible, especially those in your own city.
Lager
Pale lager is the most popular type of beer consumed worldwide and includes well-known brews like Bud Light, Heineken, Stella Artois, Yuengling, and Modelo. Dark lagers, while not as popular, include crowd-pleasing Oktoberfest styles and tried-and-true Lone Star and Shiner Bock.
Ale
The varieties of Ale are vast and include amber, pale, Belgian, and stout. These are more bitter than the malty lagers. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Firemans #4 are solid picks for a party.
Wheat
Wheat ales tend to be lighter and fruitier than other ales, so a wheat beer might be a welcomed option for guests who aren’t fans of heavier varieties. Blue Moon and Shock Top are good picks, but don’t forget to garnish them with an orange slice!
IPA (India Pale Ale)
Another ale option, IPAs are perfect for hops-lovers. Lagunitas IPA, Ballast Point Sculpin, or Goose Island IPA would be good for a crowd. Just remember, people seem to either love or hate hoppy beers, so make sure your beer cooler includes more than just IPAs.
Cider
Offering a hard cider has two advantages: it is gluten free and a solid option for guests who don’t care for traditional brews. Angry Orchard, Woodchuck, and Strongbow are well-known nationally, but check your area for ciders from your local craft breweries for more options.
Beer variety packs can remove the guesswork and be an easy solution to offering different types of beer for a crowd. Just make sure the variety pack includes different styles of beer, like a lager, ale, pilsner, and IPA, and not simply different flavors of one type of beer, like an IPA variety pack. Seasonal variety packs sometimes include heavy, sweeter brews that we recommend avoiding. You don’t want your guests to fill up on one beer and miss out on the actual food you will offer at your party!
Lastly, while considering what beers to buy for a party, don’t forget about other canned drinks like spiked seltzers. White Claw, Truly, and similar brands are popular, especially with a crowd in their 20s. These are especially a good pick for an outdoor, daytime event, as they are quite refreshing and not too filling.