What to buy for a beer and food pairing evening

A beer and food pairing evening needs more than beer and dinner plates. You’ll need separate glasses for tasting and water, serving equipment for each course, and enough cooling space to keep beers at the right temperature. Plan ingredients around the number of registered guests, then allow extra portions for tasting samples and dietary alternatives. Check allergens before shopping, and buy fresh groceries as close to the event as practical—usually one day ahead.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Beer tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 45
Buffet tablesqty 3
Table linenqty 9
High tablesqty 4

Tableware

Beer glassesqty 100
Water glassesqty 50
Platesqty 100
Dessert platesqty 50
Cutlery setsqty 50
Coffee cupsqty 50
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Induction hobsqty 2
Food warmersqty 4
Coffee maker
Kettlesqty 2
Ice packsqty 20

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Pansqty 4
Baking dishesqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 2
Kitchen tongsqty 4
Aluminum foilqty 2
Cling filmqty 2

Decorations

Beer menu standsqty 8
Name badgesqty 50
Menusqty 8
Table décorqty 8

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
LED lampsqty 8

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Dishpanqty 2
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Mop and bucketqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Pilsener - 4 crates
- White beer - 1 crate
- Tripel - 1 case
- IPA - 1 crate
- Dark beer - 1 crate
- Alcohol-free beer - 1 crate
- Sparkling water - 24 bottles
- Still water - 24 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Orange juice - 4 liters
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Limes - 12 pieces
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 5 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Coffee creamer - 2 packs
- Baguettes - 10 pieces
- Rye bread - 4 packs
- Butter - 500 grams
- Cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Aged cheese - 2 kilo
- Brie - 1 kilo
- Blue cheese - 750 gram
- Goat cheese - 750 grams
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Apples - 3 kilos
- Pears - 2 kilos
- Walnuts - 500 gram
- Almonds - 500 grams
- Dried apricots - 500 grams
- Olives - 1 kilo
- Pickles - 2 jars
- Mustard - 3 jars
- Honey - 2 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Chili sauce - 2 bottles
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilos
- Baby potatoes - 5 kilo
- Chicken thigh fillet - 4 kilo
- Beef stew - 4 kilos
- Vegetarian burgers - 24 pieces
- Mushrooms - 2 kilos
- Bell peppers - 2 kilos
- Zucchini - 2 kilos
- Onions - 2 kilos
- Garlic - 4 bulbs
- Arugula - 1 kilo
- Mixed salad - 2 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Eggs - 30 pieces
- Whipped cream - 2 liters
- Dark chocolate - 1 kilo
- Vanilla ice cream - 4 liters
- Brownies - 50 pieces
- Flour - 2 kilos
- Breadcrumbs - 1 kilo
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Sunflower oil - 2 liters
- Balsamic vinegar - 2 bottles
- Apple syrup - 2 jars
- Vegetable stock - 2 boxes
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Cumin - 1 jar
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Rosemary - 4 bunches
- Thyme - 4 bunches
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 package
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 12 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 4 pairs
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Aluminium trays - 30 pieces
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Cocktail picks - 200 pieces
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes

Tips

Allow 1 tasting glass and 1 water glass per guest, plus at least 10% extra for breakages or replacements. If guests will compare several beers at once, provide a clean glass for each beer or schedule rinsing between pours.
Plan about 100–150 ml of each beer per guest for a guided tasting. Keep unopened bottles or cans chilled in coolers with ice packs, and label every beer before guests arrive.
Buy roughly 250–350 g of food per guest across the pairings, excluding bread and dessert. Add at least 10% extra for popular dishes and prepare a clearly separated alternative for each declared dietary requirement.
Match serving equipment to the menu: allow one plate and cutlery set per course, one serving platter per dish, and separate serving tongs for different foods. Reserve tableware and glassware several days before the event rather than waiting until shopping day.
Do non-perishable shopping first, then buy fresh vegetables, herbs, dairy and other chilled ingredients within 24 hours of the evening. Bring foil and cling film for covering prepared food, and keep allergen information with each dish rather than relying on memory.

Frequently asked questions

How much beer do I need for a beer and food pairing evening?: For a tasting-focused evening, allow 100–150 ml of each beer per guest, depending on the number of beers served. Add 2–3 standard drinks per person if beer is also served throughout the meal, and keep at least 10% extra for spills and generous pours.
How many beer glasses do I need per guest?: Buy or reserve 1 beer glass per guest for a simple tasting, plus 10% extra. For three or more beers served side by side, plan one glass per beer per guest or provide a glass-rinsing station between pours.
When should I buy fresh food for a beer pairing dinner?: Buy fresh groceries within 24 hours of the event, especially vegetables, herbs, dairy and seafood. Complete non-perishable shopping several days earlier so you only need to handle chilled ingredients on the final day.
How much food should I buy per person for beer pairings?: Plan approximately 250–350 g of savoury food per guest across all pairings, then add dessert separately. Increase the total by at least 10% if guests are likely to eat full portions or if the menu includes several small tasting dishes.

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