Beer tasting shopping list

A beer tasting needs more than a selection of bottles. You need enough tasting glasses, cold storage, water, spittoons, snacks and paper materials for guests to compare beers comfortably. Buy or borrow the serving equipment before the event, then chill the beers in time and keep backup cooling available. This list helps you check the practical details that are often forgotten until guests arrive, especially glassware, bottle numbering and somewhere to discard samples.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 36
Buffet tableqty 2

Tableware

Beer tasting glassesqty 180
Water glassesqty 36
Platesqty 50
Bowlsqty 12
Forksqty 50
Knivesqty 40
Pliersqty 6

Kitchen

Water jugsqty 6
Serving jugsqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 3
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving traysqty 8
Coolersqty 6
Ice cube traysqty 6
Dishpanqty 2

Equipment

Bottle openersqty 8
Digital thermometersqty 2
Refrigeratorsqty 2
Scale

Catering

Spit bucketsqty 8
Beer menu standsqty 8
Table cardsqty 40
Test formsqty 40
Pensqty 40
Napkin holdersqty 6

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
Beer decorationsqty 12

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
Extension cordsqty 3

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 3
Spongesqty 6
Dish brushesqty 3
Rubber glovesqty 6
Floor squeegeesqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2

Groceries

Groceries
- Pilsner - 10 bottles
- Wheat beer - 10 bottles
- Weizen - 10 bottles
- Blond beer - 10 bottles
- Tripel - 10 bottles
- IPA - 10 bottles
- Double - 10 bottles
- Stout - 10 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 12 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 3 bottles
- Tonic - 2 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Butter - 500 grams
- Young cheese - 1 kilo
- Brie - 750 grams
- Fuet - 6 pieces
- Dry sausage - 6 pieces
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Olives - 4 jars
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Snack mix - 4 bags
- Unsalted nuts - 3 bags
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Apples - 3 kilos
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mayonnaise - 1 jar
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Pepper - 1 grinder
- Salt - 1 pack
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 2 packs
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Freezer bags - 1 box

Tips

Plan at least one tasting glass per guest, plus 10–20% extra for breakage, rinsing or replacement. Use separate water glasses so tasting glasses remain available for the beer flights.
Allow two to three beers per person for a short tasting, or four to six for a longer session. Buy the beer far enough in advance to check every bottle and chill it before guests arrive.
Provide one spit bucket for every 8–10 guests and place water jugs within easy reach. Guests may not finish every sample, so emptying and rinsing the buckets should be part of the setup plan.
Prepare one tasting form and one pen per guest, with at least 10% extra copies and pens. Number the bottles and prepare matching beer cards before the first pour so the tasting order stays consistent.
Set aside plates, bowls, forks, knives and serving platters for snacks, and keep the buffet separate from the tasting table. Shop for dietary requirements after the participant list is final, ideally at least 3–5 days before the event.

Frequently asked questions

How many glasses do I need for a beer tasting?: Plan one beer tasting glass per guest, plus 10–20% extra. For 20 guests, that means 22–24 tasting glasses; add separate water glasses for everyone.
How much beer should I buy per person for a tasting?: For a short tasting, allow two to three beers per person; for a longer session, allow four to six. Confirm the final participant count before ordering and keep the beers chilled before the event.
When should I chill the beer for a tasting?: Move the beers into refrigerators or coolers at least 12 hours before serving when possible. Check the temperature on the day and keep reserve ice or cooler space available for restocking.
What snacks do I need for a beer tasting?: Provide simple snacks that can be served in bowls or on platters, with roughly 150–250 grams of food per guest for a two-hour tasting. Confirm dietary requirements 3–5 days beforehand so suitable options are included.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.