What to buy for a beer market

A beer market needs more than a varied beer selection. You also need enough cooling capacity, tasting and water glasses, serving equipment, payment supplies and sturdy furniture for the stands. Plan quantities around your guest count, then allow extra time for deliveries, chilling and setup. The shopping list below covers the equipment and supplies that are easy to overlook when several breweries and food stations share one space.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Market stallsqty 6
Foldable tablesqty 12
High tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 60
Bar stoolsqty 16
Tableclothsqty 12
Cratesqty 20

Tableware

Sample glassesqty 150
Water glassesqty 80
Beer glassesqty 80
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving boardsqty 12

Equipment

Refrigeratorsqty 3
Coolersqty 6
Tap installationsqty 3
Beer tap hosesqty 6
Payment terminalsqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Serving tongsqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 3
Bottle openersqty 8
Washing-up basinsqty 4

Decorations

Beer decorationsqty 12
Buntingqty 8
Menu boardsqty 8
Wayfinding signsqty 6

Lighting

String lightsqty 8
LED lampsqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Mop setsqty 2
Bucketsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Pilsener - 120 bottles
- Weizenbier - 60 bottles
- IPA - 60 bottles
- Tripel - 48 bottles
- Double - 36 bottles
- Blond beer - 48 bottles
- White beer - 36 bottles
- Lambic - 24 bottles
- Stout - 24 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 bottles
- Radler - 36 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Ginger ale - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 crates
- Spa Rood - 4 crates
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Snack mix - 8 bags
- Peanuts - 6 bags
- Olives - 8 jars
- Pickles - 6 jars
- Cheese cubes - 8 kilos
- Sliced sausage - 6 kilo
- Hummus - 3 kilos
- Cucumbers - 10 pieces
- Carrots - 5 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Crackers - 12 packs
- Mayonnaise - 3 jars
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 3 jars
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Ice cubes - 20 bags
- Napkins - 800 pieces
- Paper cups - 200 pieces
- Paper plates - 150
- Wooden skewers - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Cleaning cloths - 20 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Labels - 200 pieces
- Pens - 20 pieces
- Wristbands - 200 pieces
- Drink tokens - 1000 pieces

Tips

Plan at least one tasting glass per guest, plus a small reserve of 10–15% for breakage and glasses left at different stands. Provide separate water glasses so guests can rinse between beers.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour when estimating beer, then adjust for the event length and whether food is served. Order beer early enough to receive it at least 24 hours before the market so it can be chilled.
Use one cooler or refrigerator for every busy beer stand where possible, and check that the total capacity fits the delivery volume. Reserve the cooler before placing the beer order; otherwise you may have beer but nowhere to chill it.
Prepare one payment terminal per active payment point and bring extension cords and power strips with enough reach for the floor plan. Test every terminal and cable at least one day before opening.
Buy or gather more bottle openers, serving tongs and washing-up basins than you expect to need: two openers and one basin per busy stand prevents queues and dirty glassware from stopping service. Keep menu boards and beer cards ready before the first delivery arrives.

Frequently asked questions

How many glasses do I need for a beer market?: Plan one sample glass and one water glass per guest, with 10–15% extra. For 100 guests, that means at least 110 sample glasses and 110 water glasses, unless you use a managed return-and-wash system.
How much beer should I buy for a beer market?: Use two to three drinks per person for the first hour as a starting point, then add roughly one to two drinks per guest for each additional hour. Adjust for serving sizes, event length and whether guests can take bottles home.
When should I order beer for a beer market?: Place the beer order early enough for delivery at least 24 hours before the event. This gives you time to check the shipment, chill the drinks and resolve missing or damaged items before setup.
How many coolers do I need for a beer market?: Plan at least one cooler or refrigerator for each busy beer stand, then check the combined capacity against the number of crates and kegs. Add reserve cooling if all beer must be cold when doors open.

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