What to buy for a beer tasting

A beer tasting needs more than a selection of bottles. You will also need enough tasting glasses, water, snacks, bottle openers and a way to keep the beers cold in tasting order. Plan quantities around your guest count, then add a small buffer for breakage and spills. This checklist also covers the items people often remember too late, such as spit buckets, pens, ice and serving boards.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 36
High tablesqty 3
Tablecloth coversqty 6

Tableware

Beer tasting glassesqty 60
Water glassesqty 36
Platesqty 40
Cutlery setsqty 40
Coffee cupsqty 36

Kitchen

Serving boardsqty 6
Serving plattersqty 8
Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 4
Serving tongsqty 6
Measuring spoonsqty 2
Aluminum foil dispenser
Storage cratesqty 8

Equipment

Refrigeratorsqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Ice containersqty 3
Bottle openersqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 3
Kettlesqty 2
Coffee machinesqty 2
Wireless speaker
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3

Lighting

String lightsqty 4

Decorations

Beer table signsqty 10
Name badgesqty 36
Sample cardsqty 36
Pensqty 40

Catering

Spit bucketsqty 6
Water jugsqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 3
Groceries
- Pilsner - 8 bottles
- Wheat beer - 8 bottles
- Blonde beer - 8 bottles
- IPA - 8 bottles
- Tripel - 8 bottles
- Double - 8 bottles
- Saison - 6 bottles
- Fruit beer - 6 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 12 bottles
- Non-alcoholic wheat beer - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 24 bottles
- Spa Rood - 12 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Orange juice - 4 liters
- Apple juice - 4 liter
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat drink - 2 liter
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Crackers - 6 packs
- Salted crackers - 6 packs
- Cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Brie - 1 kilogram
- Aged cheese - 1.5 kilograms
- Blue cheese - 500 grams
- Salami - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Olives - 1 kilogram
- Pickles - 2 jars
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Apples - 2 kilograms
- Unsalted nuts - 1 kilogram
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Meatballs - 120 pieces
- Vegetarian bitterballen - 60 pieces
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Lemons - 1 kilogram
- Ice cubes - 12 kilograms
- Paper napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 2 bottles

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Washing-up basinsqty 3
Spongesqty 6
Dish brushesqty 3
Microfiber clothsqty 10

Tips

Buy one tasting glass per guest plus 2–3 spare glasses. Give each person a separate water glass so rinsing does not dilute the next sample.
Plan 100–150 ml of each beer per guest, depending on the number of samples, and keep at least 10% extra beer for spills or unexpectedly full pours.
Provide one spit bucket for every 6–8 guests, especially if you are serving more than 5 beers. Place them within easy reach before guests sit down.
Allow 2–3 snack portions per guest and include plain bread or crackers between stronger beers. Portion snacks before the tasting starts so no one has to leave the table to prepare food.
Chill the beers in batches rather than all at once: place the first beers in the refrigerator, keep later bottles in coolers with ice, and label every group in tasting order.

Frequently asked questions

How many tasting glasses do I need per person?: Use one tasting glass per person, plus 2–3 spare glasses for every 20 guests. For 20 people, prepare at least 22–23 glasses and wash or replace them between rounds if needed.
How much beer should I buy for a tasting?: Allow 100–150 ml of each beer per guest. For 20 guests tasting 6 beers, that equals 12–18 litres in total; add about 10% extra for spills, refills and uneven pours.
How many snacks do I need for a beer tasting?: Plan 2–3 small snack portions per guest, with extra plain bread or crackers for palate cleansing. For 20 guests, prepare at least 40–60 portions and set them out before the first beer is poured.
When should I chill the beer for a tasting?: Chill the full selection at least 6–8 hours before the event when possible. Put the first beers in tasting order in the refrigerator, and move later bottles into ice-filled coolers 60–90 minutes before guests arrive.

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