Being a good beer host
Sorry for the technical difficulties -- our poll is up and running now! Vote away!
Guest post from Kelby Brick, a craft beer fan who lives in Catonsville.
What's the appropriate approach to providing beer for guests when they come over to a summer party -- especially if it involves mingling outside around the grill?
Sure -- one can just and run out and buy a case of Bud Light and stick it in the garage cooler. The same kind of host probably thinks there’s nothing wrong with serving cow’s brain stew along with a side of liver and beets for summer parties.
Of course, you aren't that kind of host.
Does the proper host buy a variety of beer bottles to satisfy the wide variety of individual palates while introducing guests to new and adventurous beer? (What? You think everyone loves Natty Boh so you can get away with serving only Natty Boh?).
The problem with the variety approach is that it’s not necessarily best for the environment or the local economy. You’ll end up with so many bottles that require recycling. Moreover the likelihood is strong that some of those beers were transported from out of the area?
Should you instead buy a couple of growlers from the local brewpub? (I'm partial to Ellicott Mills Brewing Co. -- largely because its only three minutes away)? Reusing the growler bottle reduces recycling demands and fuel spent in transporting beer from outside the area. Such an approach supports the local economy while ensuring your beer is actually fresh.
The problem with the growler approach is that you’ll likely be able to get only two or three kinds of beer (depending on the size of your party), since one growler can deliver enough beer for a few people.
It's also hard to keep many growlers cold (think of all those nooks and crannies in your refrigerator that you hide the beer -- from your wife). It's also problematic because your guests' taste in beer may not favor the beer you have chosen.
So what is a proper party host supposed to do while serving beer at a summer grilling party?
What makes economic sense?
What makes environmental sense?
What pleases the guests the most?
What do you do?
Comments
I usually aim for 3 types of beer. A light (for me Miller Lite), an import (Corona, Heiniken, etc.), and a local (being from Houston, I'm partial to St. Arnold's., see @SaintArnolds).
Posted by: Sarah | August 10, 2009 10:26 AM
I'm planning a backyard BBQ for next month, and I plan on going "all-can" for a change. Mostly due to the variety of craft beer available in cans (Oskar Blues, Butternuts, Brooklyn), but also the affordability of some others in the canned variety ($2.99 for a six pack of "Simpler Times" Lager - from craft brewer Minhas in Wisconsin - at Trader Joe's). Add in some Silver Bullets, PBRs or Naragansetts for the macro set and you're in good shape, with a simple, recyclable cleanup afterwards.
Posted by: Mike | August 10, 2009 11:43 AM
I voted from a keg, but let me clarify, from my kegs of homebrew. That way I can taylor the beers to the crowd and serve beer I am proud of, because I brewed it!
Cream ale dry hopped with Amarillo will appeal to the I don't like craft beer guy and beer geek a like. My Hefe rocks. My Black Lager not as roasty as a schwartz beer and always is popular. The world of options from my kegs.
Posted by: Thomas | August 10, 2009 1:07 PM
My last summer party - I packed the 'fridge and cooler with a variety. Beers for everyone. But still all craft beer. And explained, "if you like ___, you'll love this. Try it!"
It seemed to be a hit.
I still get phone calls, "Hey, what was that beer that you recommended and I loved? I'm at the liquor store now and want to try buy some different beer".
Mission accomplished.
Posted by: Brad | August 11, 2009 12:50 AM
For our group of friends, the host provides the burgers and dogs, and everyone brings at least a 6 pack. It gives you something that you like, but also allows you to try what everyone else brings as well. Many times my take along is Dale's Pale Ale. Someone always makes fun of the can, and then they try it and see how good it is.
Posted by: Jason | August 11, 2009 9:56 AM
Actually I think the best approach is "beer potluck." Everyone brings as many beers as they're likely to drink (a six pack is normally more than enough)--so it's BYOB, but the understanding is that by bringing a six pack you're gaining access to whatever it is that anybody else has brought (and opening the one you brought for snagging).
This diffuses costs and ensures a good diversity. If more than one person brings the same beer, well, it's clearly very popular and nobody's likely to be upset by the additional quantity.
I tend to supplement such bashes with a few rarer or more obscure six packs or singles to make sure that nobody's upset if someone gets a little "drinky" (drinking more bottles than they've brought).
Posted by: Jim | August 11, 2009 10:33 AM
You know you're a homebrewer when every party invitation says "Bring one of those kegs!"
Actually, my favorite answer isn't amongst your choices: "a variety pack of homebrews." Or, for that matter, bringing your own beers to a party where it's most likely everyone else will be drinking industrial lagers. Fortunately, by now any time I'm invited to a party I'm asked to either bring some "special" beers for sharing, or I'm going to the house of a fellow beer fan where by the end of the party we're in a back room playing "Can You Top This?" with beers!
Posted by: Alexander D. Mitchell IV | August 11, 2009 6:48 PM
For summer parties, I usually stock variety packs of Clipper City, Flying Dog, or Troegs. I also buy a bunch of Yuengling in case I underestimate the number of beer drinkers (and to save some cash). I will provide Miller Lite if my father-in-law is attending.
I tend to save the really good stuff for smaller gatherings.
Posted by: Captain Hops | August 13, 2009 6:03 PM