What to Buy for a Beer Tasting

A beer tasting needs more than a selection of bottles. You also need enough sample glasses, water, snacks, serving equipment and cooling space for every guest and tasting round. Plan the beer order by the number of tasters, then add supplies for rinsing glasses and clearing empty bottles. Buy or collect items early, especially refrigerators, coolers, glassware and printed tasting materials, because these are easy to overlook until setup day.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 45
Tableclothsqty 6

Tableware

Sample glassesqty 60
Water glassesqty 50
Platesqty 50
Cutlery setsqty 50
Small bowlsqty 12
Serving plattersqty 8
Pouring spoutsqty 4
Water jugsqty 8

Equipment

Refrigeratorsqty 2
Coolersqty 3
Ice spoonsqty 2
Bottle openersqty 6
Corkscrewsqty 2
Bluetooth speaker
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef's knivesqty 3
Serving tongsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 2
Coffee maker
Kettle

Decorations

Name card holdersqty 50
Menu standsqty 8
Table numbersqty 6

Lighting

String lightsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Bucketsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Pilsener - 6 bottles
- Weizen - 6 bottles
- Wheat beer - 6 bottles
- IPA - 6 bottles
- Tripel - 6 bottles
- Dubbel - 6 bottles
- Stout - 6 bottles
- Lambic - 6 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 12 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 3 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 10 pieces
- Aged cheese - 2 kilo
- Brie - 1 kilo
- Goat cheese - 750 grams
- Vegan cheese - 500 grams
- Dry sausage - 1 kilo
- Vegetarian spreads - 4 tubs
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Crackers - 6 packs
- Salted crackers - 6 packs
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilos
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Apples - 3 kilos
- Olives - 4 jars
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Rinse aid - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Cleaning wipes - 2 packs
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Ice cubes - 15 kilos
- Toothpicks - 2 boxes

Tips

Allow about 100–150 ml of each beer per person for a tasting pour. For six beers and 10 guests, that is 6–9 litres in total, before allowing for any extra pours.
Provide one sample glass per guest for each round, or at least one glass per person plus enough water to rinse between beers. Keep separate water glasses available so tasting water does not run out.
Plan 500–750 ml of still water per guest, plus a water jug or cooler at the tasting table. A clearly marked spitting station needs its own container and should not share the drinking-water setup.
Buy roughly 100–150 g of tasting bites per guest and serve them in small bowls or on platters. Choose mild, unsalted foods between rounds so they do not overpower lighter beers.
Check cooling capacity before ordering the beer. Keep the bottles or cans chilled in refrigerators or coolers, and have bottle openers, pouring spouts, ice spoons and waste bins ready before guests arrive.

Frequently asked questions

How much beer do I need for a beer tasting?: For tasting pours, allow about 100–150 ml of each beer per guest. Six beers for 10 people therefore require 6–9 litres, with an additional 10% available for spills or repeat pours.
How many glasses do I need for a beer tasting?: Use one sample glass per guest per round if you can provide them. Otherwise, plan at least one glass per person and enough clean water for rinsing between each beer.
How much food should I buy for a beer tasting?: Buy approximately 100–150 g of mild tasting bites per person. For 12 guests, that equals 1.2–1.8 kg, divided across several small bowls or serving platters.
When should I buy beer for a tasting?: Order the beer at least 7–10 days before the tasting, then collect it as close to the event as practical. Chill the beer in advance, allowing at least 12 hours for bottles or cans to cool fully.

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