Maybe the ales were devoured because of the barbecued brisket. I love hoppy beers with barbecue, so I can see why it would be all gone. Other option (depending on the people that came) coule be that they knew Troegs and Dogfish, but didnt know much about Abita, Oxford or Pyramid. (local beers get the nod in local restaurants)

I know you are trying to get the right mix of beer, but to be perfectly honest, men will drink any free beer that is offered at parties.

I agree with Jason. It can very well depend on the food served at the event. Also, people are less likely to try new beers. An unfamiliar name may invoke a feeling of apprehention, while a familiar beer is the first taken and finished.

I learned this through throwing a few paries in the last year. At first, I also hated going to summer parties in that everyone always served Bud or Miller Lite or Coors or all the above. There would never be any selection. My family is not adventurous in beer or food. SO last year, I thought about making my party special by serving a larger variety.

I admit, I got carried away, 16 different types is 5 different coolers. Each cooler was paired with similar styles. So, if you wanted something light, go to the lager cooler. Also had an amber cooler and dark beer cooler and so on. It was a hit and everyone is asking when this years party will be just so they can see what the beer selection will be. But, in the end, it was the light beers and the lagers that emptied out first. The darks were the last to be chosen.

I asked a "real" beer drinking friend his thoughts. He put it simply and said it was too hot of a day for darks. So, seasons also do affect beer selection. Summer months you may prefer something of a lager to drinking that extra thick stout. In the winter, that stout may be more attractive.

My last party was a Super Bowl party. Again, I had an unusually large beer selection. But, my "real" beer drinking friends selected the darker beers while my other friends went for the ambers or the milder seasonal winter ales.

I'm learning, but I do think selection is key. Try to keep in mind the food to be served and what the season is like. Also, my importantly, think about your audience. I personally love a variety in my choices but that is not true about my family and most of my friends. They like it simple, so I give them simple, yet different. Instead of Corona and Miller Lite, how about a Carib lager from Carib Brewing Company and the Raven Special Lager from Baltimore-Washington Beer works. Just to be slightly different.

Well, Miller is the champagne of beers, but Sam Adams Boston Lager has always been extremely popular at our family outings. My standard beer for all those who don't like the "dark beers" is Yuengling, which has pretty broad appeal among beer snobs and beer slobs alike.

For a Memorial Day party on a porch in Roland Park, I'm making my special version of Sangria. Secret recipe.

I don't go out of my way to buy a variety of special beers for parties.

I own a kegerator and keep a keg on tap of what I like to drink, which is usually Loose Cannon, Sierra Nevada or, (currently on tap), Hellrazer IPA. At my barbeques, spicy food is the norm, so the high-hopped beers pair especially well with ribs, shrimp, crab, etc.

It encourages people to try good craft beer. Many of my friends and family have been pleasantly surprised that they enjoy beer with flavor.

I do, however, buy some cheap stuff, (Bud), for the folks who are don't care for good beer.