What you need for a beer tasting

A beer tasting needs more than a selection of bottles. Plan enough beer for small pours, one tasting glass per guest, water between samples, and simple food to clear the palate. You will also need a way to keep bottles cold, open and identify them, plus serving equipment for snacks. This checklist helps you shop and collect everything before setup, so you are not hunting for bottle openers, ice or extra glasses when guests arrive.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 44
Tableclothsqty 6

Tableware

Sample glassesqty 80
Water glassesqty 45
Platesqty 50
Cutlery setsqty 50
Serving boardsqty 8
Pitchersqty 8

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Coolersqty 4
Bottle openersqty 8
Bluetooth speaker

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Serving tongsqty 6
Mixing bowlsqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coffee maker
Thermos flasksqty 3

Decorations

Beer style cardsqty 8
Table numbersqty 6
Notice boardsqty 4
Name badgesqty 45

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
Table lampsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Bucketsqty 4
Spongesqty 8
Dishclothsqty 12
Mopqty 2
Waste sorting binsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Pilsner - 12 bottles
- Weizen - 12 bottles
- IPA - 12 bottles
- Double - 12 bottles
- Tripel - 12 bottles
- Lambic - 12 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 12 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 48 bottles
- Spa Red - 24 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Tonic - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Butter - 500 grams
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Aged cheese - 2 kilograms
- Brie - 1 kilogram
- Blue cheese - 750 gram
- Dry sausage - 2 kilograms
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Olives - 1 kilogram
- Pickles - 2 jars
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Salted peanuts - 2 kilograms
- Crackers - 8 packs
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles

Tips

Allow 100–150 ml of each beer per guest for a guided tasting. For six beers, that is 600–900 ml per person, so confirm the final guest count before placing the beer order.
Provide one tasting glass and one water glass per guest, plus 10% extra. For 20 guests, prepare at least 22 of each to cover breakage and last-minute additions.
Chill the beers several hours before serving, but keep enough bottles identifiable for the tasting order. Number sample bottles and prepare beer style cards before guests sit down.
Plan simple snacks that can be served from boards and plates. Put out water and palate-cleansing food before the first pour rather than waiting until the tasting is underway.
Check cooling and cleanup supplies the day before: coolers or tubs, bottle openers, waste bins, buckets and sponges. Empty bottles and used tasting glasses accumulate quickly during a multi-beer session.

Frequently asked questions

How much beer do I need for a beer tasting?: Plan 100–150 ml of each beer per guest. For 20 guests tasting six beers, that equals 12–18 litres in total, before allowing for small spills or extra pours.
How many tasting glasses do I need per person?: Use one tasting glass per person and buy or borrow 10% extra. For 20 guests, prepare at least 22 tasting glasses; add water glasses separately.
How long before a beer tasting should I chill the beer?: Put the beer in the refrigerator or filled coolers at least 4–6 hours before guests arrive. Check the serving temperature for each style and keep backup bottles cold throughout the tasting.
What food should I buy for a beer tasting?: Allow about 150–250 g of snacks per guest, depending on whether the tasting replaces a meal. Choose mild, neutral foods that are easy to serve on boards and plates, and have them ready 30 minutes before the start.

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