How to organize a beer brewing workshop

A beer brewing workshop needs more than a recipe and a few brewing pots. Start by securing a suitable brewing area, confirming the group, and choosing a recipe that fits the available time and equipment. Order ingredients only after checking your malt mill, mash tuns, thermometers, hydrometers, wort coolers, and fermentation vessels. On the day, set up separate workstations, disinfect every surface, ventilate the room, and give the safety briefing before anyone handles hot wort or equipment.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

1
Confirm date and location
2
Reserve the brewing area
3
Send invitations
4
Process registrations
5
Collect dietary requirements
6
Confirm participant list
7
Choose the beer recipe
2 people
8
Order ingredients
9
Check brewing equipment
2 people
10
Prepare safety instructions
11
Set up workstations
2 people
12
Do the shopping
2 people
13
Weigh ingredients
2 people
14
Chill drinks
15
Ventilate room
16
Set up tables
2 people
17
Set up chairs
2 people
18
Set up brewing equipment
3 people
19
Disinfect workstations
2 people
20
Set out tasting glasses and snacks
2 people

Event

21
Welcome guests
2 people
22
Serve coffee and tea
23
Give the safety briefing
24
Explain the brewing process
25
Demonstrate milling
26
Pour in the malt
4 people
27
Guide the mashing
2 people
28
Serve snacks
2 people
29
Refill drinks
30
Filter and rinse wort
3 people
31
Supervise the cooking process
2 people
32
Present the beer tasting
2 people
33
Set up the buffet
3 people
34
Serve the buffet
2 people
35
Add hop additions
2 people
36
Cool wort
3 people
37
Add yeast
2 people
38
Explain fermentation
39
Label the brewing vats
2 people
40
Take group photo

Aftercare

41
Collect tableware
2 people
42
Clean brewing equipment
3 people
43
Separate waste
2 people
44
Clear tables and chairs
3 people
45
Clean the room
2 people
46
Return brewing equipment
2 people
47
Send fermentation instructions
48
Store leftovers

What to bring

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

Furniture

Work tablesqty 4
Dining tablesqty 3
Chairsqty 16
Buffet table

Tableware

Beer glassesqty 24
Water glassesqty 16
Platesqty 20
Cutlery setsqty 20
Coffee cupsqty 16

Kitchen

Brewing potsqty 2
Mash tunsqty 2
Malt mill
Brewing spoonsqty 4
Measuring jugsqty 4
Funnelsqty 3
Filter bagsqty 4
Silicone tubingqty 4
Stirrersqty 4
Measuring spoonsqty 4
Handlesqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef's knivesqty 3
Coolersqty 3
Water jugsqty 3

Equipment

Induction platesqty 2
Wort coolersqty 2
Fermentation vatsqty 2
Water locksqty 2
Hydrometersqty 2
Thermometersqty 3
Digital scalesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3

Decorations

Name badgesqty 16
Brewing recipe cardsqty 16

Cleaning

Dishpanqty 2
Dish brushesqty 3
Cleaning clothsqty 12
Bucketsqty 3
Rubber glovesqty 6

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Work backwards from the brewing date: confirm the location first, then send invitations and close registrations early enough to collect dietary requirements and confirm the final participant list. A fixed headcount determines how many workstations, chairs, tasting glasses, snacks, and drinks you need.
Choose the beer recipe before ordering ingredients, and check whether the process fits the workshop schedule. Weigh the malt and other ingredients before guests arrive, so the milling and brewing demonstration does not start with measuring delays.
Inspect every piece of equipment at least 48 hours beforehand. Check brewing pots, mash tuns, induction plates, thermometers, digital scales, hydrometers, wort coolers, fermentation vats, water locks, silicone tubing, extension cords, and power strips for damage and compatibility.
Set up workstations with enough space around hot vessels and cables, then disinfect them before laying out brewing spoons, measuring jugs, funnels, filter bags, stirrers, and measuring spoons. Keep tasting glasses and snacks separate from the brewing area to avoid confusion and contamination.
Ventilate the room before guests arrive and chill the drinks in advance. Welcome participants with coffee and tea, explain the brewing process, and give the safety briefing before demonstrating milling or starting any hot-water step. Maintain a clear route to the brewing equipment throughout the session.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I plan a beer brewing workshop?: Confirm the date, location, and brewing area at least 4 to 6 weeks in advance. Send invitations once the space and basic format are fixed, then confirm the participant list several days before the workshop so you can shop and set up accurately.
What should I check before ordering ingredients for a brewing workshop?: Choose the beer recipe first and inspect the equipment before placing the order. Check the malt mill, brewing pots, mash tuns, induction plates, thermometers, scales, cooling equipment, and fermentation vats at least 48 hours beforehand.
How should I set up a beer brewing workshop room?: Allow at least one clearly defined work area per brewing group and keep hot vessels away from seating and walkways. Set out tables, chairs, brewing equipment, power strips, and extension cords before guests arrive, then disinfect the workstations and test the layout.
When should the safety briefing take place?: Give the safety briefing immediately after welcoming guests and before demonstrating milling or handling hot water and wort. Keep the briefing to about 5 to 10 minutes, covering hot surfaces, cables, spills, ventilation, and the safe route around the brewing equipment.

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.