What to Buy for a Beer Night

A beer night needs more than a selection of bottles. Plan for chilled drinks, water, food, tasting glasses and a way to keep everything cold throughout the evening. As a starting point, allow two to three beers per guest for the first hour, then one to two per hour after that. Buy snacks for the full guest count, including separate vegetarian options, and check dietary requirements before shopping.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 40
Buffet tablesqty 2

Tableware

Beer glassesqty 50
Water glassesqty 40
Platesqty 50
Cutlery setsqty 50
Serving plattersqty 10
Serving spoonsqty 10

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef's knivesqty 3
Small bowlsqty 12

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Ice containersqty 3
Bluetooth speaker
Extension cordsqty 2
Power stripsqty 2
Bottle openersqty 4
Corkscrewsqty 2

Decorations

Beer tasting formsqty 40
Name badgesqty 40
Tableclothsqty 6
Beer postersqty 6

Lighting

String lightsqty 3

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Washing-up bowlsqty 2
Spongesqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Pilsner beer - 72 bottles
- Specialty beer IPA - 18 bottles
- Blonde craft beer - 18 bottles
- Specialty beer tripel - 12 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 3 bottles
- Tonic - 2 bottles
- Sparkling water - 8 bottles
- Still water - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Snack mix - 4 bags
- Peanuts - 3 bags
- Cashews - 3 bags
- Pretzels - 4 bags
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Butter - 500 grams
- Young cheese - 1,5 kilogram
- Brie - 800 grams
- Dried sausage - 1 kilogram
- Liver sausage - 750 grams
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Olives - 4 jars
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Paper napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Paper towels - 6 rolls

Tips

Plan at least two to three beers per guest for the first hour and one to two per guest for each additional hour. Include water alongside the beer so guests can pace themselves.
Chill the main beer selection several hours before guests arrive. Keep backup bottles or cans in coolers with ice, and use separate ice containers if you want clean ice for drinks.
Allow roughly 150–200 g of snacks per person for a beer-focused evening. Put vegetarian snacks on separate serving platters and label them if guests have shared dietary requirements.
Buy or count one beer glass and one water glass per guest, plus at least 10% extra. Add plates, cutlery, serving spoons and small bowls before the shopping trip rather than assuming the venue has them.
Plan waste and cleanup supplies before the event: use at least one waste bin for every 15–20 guests, and have washing-up bowls, sponges and extension equipment ready before setup begins.

Frequently asked questions

How much beer do I need for a beer night?: Allow two to three beers per guest for the first hour, then one to two beers per guest for every additional hour. For a three-hour evening, that usually means four to seven beers per person, depending on drinking habits and beer size.
How many snacks should I buy for a beer night?: Plan around 150–200 g of snacks per guest for a beer-focused evening. Buy extra if the beer night replaces dinner, and include a separate vegetarian selection for the number of guests who need it.
How many glasses do I need for a beer tasting?: Provide one beer glass and one water glass per guest, then add at least 10% extra. For 20 guests, prepare at least 22 beer glasses and 22 water glasses so replacements are available.
When should I chill the beer for beer night?: Put the beer in the refrigerator or coolers at least 4–6 hours before guests arrive. Add ice shortly before setup, then keep reserve drinks in a second cooler so the serving cooler is not opened constantly.

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