What you need for a beer pairing dinner

A beer pairing dinner needs more than food and a few bottles. You need enough matching beer glasses, dinner and dessert tableware, serving dishes, cooling space and equipment to keep each course at the right temperature. Plan one beer glass per guest for each pairing, plus water glasses and a spare set for breakages. This checklist helps you buy or bring the practical items people often remember only when guests are seated.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Rectangular tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 44
Buffet tablesqty 2
Bar stoolsqty 4

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 50
Dessert platesqty 50
Deep platesqty 50
Water glassesqty 50
Beer glassesqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 50
Dinner cutleryqty 55
Serving spoonsqty 12

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's jacketsqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 8
Roasting pansqty 4
Baking dishesqty 6
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 3
Kitchen scalesqty 2

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Induction platesqty 4
Food warmersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4
Bottle openersqty 6
Digital thermometersqty 3

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
Table lampsqty 6

Decorations

Table runnersqty 6
Menu Card Holdersqty 8
Flower arrangementsqty 6
Name badgesqty 44

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Bucketsqty 3
Floor squeegeesqty 2
Dish brushesqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Pilsener - 10 liters
- White beer - 8 liter
- IPA - 8 liter
- Double - 7 liters
- Tripel - 7 liters
- Alcohol-free beer - 4 liters
- Sparkling water - 12 liter
- Still water - 12 liters
- Apple juice - 4 liter
- Grape juice - 3 liters
- Coffee - 1,5 kilogram
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Whole milk - 4 liter
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Balsamic vinegar - 500 milliliters
- Mixed salad - 3 kilograms
- Arugula - 500 grams
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Red onions - 1 kilogram
- Garlic - 5 bulbs
- Potatoes - 8 kilograms
- Carrots - 3 kilogram
- Leeks - 2 kilograms
- Mushrooms - 2 kilogram
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Zucchini - 8 pieces
- Fresh spinach - 2 kilogram
- Steak - 4 kilogram
- Chicken thighs - 4 kilogram
- Salmon fillet - 3 kilograms
- Lentils - 2 kilograms
- Vegetable stock - 6 liters
- Chicken stock - 4 liters
- Beef broth - 4 liters
- Cooking cream - 3 liters
- Crème fraîche - 1 kilogram
- Parmesan cheese - 1 kilogram
- Goat cheese - 1 kilogram
- Blue cheese - 750 gram
- Cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Eggs - 30 pieces
- Whipped cream - 2 liters
- Vanilla ice cream - 4 liters
- Dark chocolate - 1,5 kilogram
- Apples - 5 kilograms
- Pears - 4 kilograms
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Walnuts - 750 grams
- Almonds - 750 grams
- Honey - 500 grams
- Flour - 2 kilograms
- Granulated sugar - 2 kilograms
- Soft brown sugar - 1 kilogram
- Salt - 500 grams
- Black pepper - 100 grams
- Paprika powder - 100 grams
- Cumin - 100 grams
- Thyme - 100 grams
- Rosemary - 100 gram
- Parsley - 6 bunches
- Chives - 4 bunches
- Basil - 4 bunches
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Soy sauce - 500 milliliter
- Worcestershire sauce - 250 milliliter
- Apple syrup - 2 jars
- Agar-agar - 2 bags
- Vanilla extract - 1 bottle
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Napkins - 100 pieces
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 50 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Degreaser - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 8 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 12 pieces
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls

Tips

Allow one beer glass per guest for every planned pairing, plus at least 10% extra. If six beers are served to 20 guests, prepare at least 132 glasses or arrange washing between courses.
Buy or bring one water glass and one complete set of dinner cutlery per guest, with 10% extra. Add deep plates if any course includes soup, stew or another liquid dish.
Provide one serving platter, serving spoon or pair of tongs for each dish that is served communally. Counting these before cooking prevents guests from waiting while a single utensil is washed.
Plan cold storage before collecting the beer: reserve enough cooler space for every bottle or can, and chill the first course at least 4 hours ahead. Keep later pairings separate so bottles are easy to identify.
Check kitchen capacity for the menu at least 2 days before the dinner. Roasting pans, baking dishes, cutting boards, mixing bowls and digital thermometers are easy to overlook when several courses share one kitchen.

Frequently asked questions

How many beer glasses do I need for a beer pairing dinner?: Use one glass per guest for each beer pairing, plus 10% extra for breakages and spills. For 12 guests and 5 beers, that means 66 glasses unless you can wash and reset them between courses.
How much beer should I buy per person for a pairing dinner?: Plan about 100–150 ml per beer pairing per person, depending on the beer strength and serving style. For 5 pairings and 12 guests, buy roughly 6–9 litres, then add a small reserve for top-ups.
What tableware is needed for a beer pairing dinner?: Prepare one dinner plate, dessert plate, cutlery set and water glass per guest, with 10% extra. Add deep plates when the menu includes a liquid course, and provide coffee cups if coffee is served after dessert.
When should I chill the beer for a beer pairing dinner?: Chill the beers at least 4 hours before guests arrive, unless the label specifies a different serving temperature. Keep highly aromatic or strong beers separate from lighter beers so the pairings can be served in order.

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