Beer Tasting Shopping List

A beer tasting needs more than a selection of bottles. You will need enough sample glasses, chilled storage, water, snacks, tasting sheets, and serving equipment to keep the session moving. Plan the beer order before you buy: lighter beers usually work best first, while stronger or more heavily flavoured beers come later. This checklist also covers the items hosts often remember too late, such as bottle openers, ice, labels, waste bins, and enough tables for pouring and note-taking.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 50
Bar
High tablesqty 4
Tableclothsqty 8

Tableware

Sample glassesqty 60
Water glassesqty 50
Platesqty 60
Bowlsqty 12
Cutlery setsqty 50
Serving traysqty 8

Equipment

Refrigeratorsqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Ice containersqty 3
Bottle openersqty 6
Writing boardsqty 4
Extension cordsqty 4

Kitchen

Measuring jugsqty 6
Scissorsqty 3
Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Serving tongsqty 6

Decorations

Beer postersqty 6
Table décorqty 8
Name badgesqty 50

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
LED lampsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Washing-up bowlsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Cleaning clothsqty 12
Broom and dustpanqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Pilsner - 16 bottles
- Weizen - 8 bottles
- Blonde beer - 8 bottles
- Double - 8 bottles
- Tripel - 8 bottles
- IPA - 8 bottles
- Stout - 8 bottles
- Sour beer - 8 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 12 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Ice pops - 6 bags
- Aged cheese - 2 kilograms
- Brie - 1 kilogram
- Goat cheese - 500 grams
- Dried sausage - 1 kilogram
- Ham - 500 gram
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Olives - 1 kilogram
- Pickles - 2 jars
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Snacks - 4 bags
- Salted peanuts - 4 bags
- Pretzels - 4 bags
- Crackers - 6 packs
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Hand soap - 4 bottles

Tips

Allow one sample glass per guest, plus at least 10% extra. For 20 guests, that means 22 glasses; add separate water glasses so guests do not reuse tasting glasses.
Buy enough beer for the planned pours, then add a small reserve. A 100 ml sample of 6 beers uses 600 ml per person, so 20 guests need 12 litres before allowing for spills or late additions.
Arrange refrigeration or coolers before buying the beer. Chill the first beers several hours ahead, and keep later bottles cold in ice containers rather than leaving the full selection on the tasting table.
Put one bottle opener, a water glass, a tasting sheet, and a pen at every two to four seats. Print spare forms and prepare labels before guests arrive so nobody has to guess which beer is being poured.
Plan snacks separately from the tasting pours: use plates, bowls, serving trays, cutting boards, knives, and tongs, and keep waste bins and washing-up bowls within easy reach. This prevents empty bottles, used plates, and rinse water from collecting around the beer tables.

Frequently asked questions

How much beer do I need for a beer tasting?: For a guided tasting, plan about 100 ml per beer per person. Six beers for 20 guests requires 12 litres; buy extra to cover spills, full pours, or a few additional guests.
How many glasses do I need for a beer tasting?: Provide one tasting glass per guest and at least 10% spare. For 20 people, prepare 22 tasting glasses, plus one water glass per person.
How long before a beer tasting should I chill the beer?: Chill the first beers for at least 4 hours before guests arrive. Put the remaining bottles in refrigerators or coolers with ice early enough to keep the full tasting order cold.
What food should I buy for a beer tasting?: Choose simple snacks that will not overpower the beer, and provide enough for the full session rather than only the first hour. For 20 guests, prepare several shared plates or bowls and keep water available throughout.

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