Beer Tasting Birthday Tips

Looking for a fun and spirited birthday party idea? Try a backyard beer tasting birthday party! Even if the party won’t actually be held at the brewery, with the right invitations, beer list, and party menu, your guests will leave the event an expert in all things hops, wheat, and barley. A backyard beer tasting birthday party is a fun and exciting idea, and will be a good time for all of your guests.

Here are some tips on how to pull off a memorable beer tasting birthday party:

Find an appropriate venue. You can consider hosting your beer tasting party at a local brewery or micro-brewery. Many breweries offer free or cheap tours and tastings. If your backyard can host the amount of people that you are planning to invite, then a backyard beer tasting party is an easy and fun choice for your party venue.

Send beer-tastic invites. Let your guests know about your beer tasting birthday with beer-themed online invitations. Choose your favorite design and send online invitations to keep track of your guest list.

Choose a variety of beer. Be sure to purchase several different types and styles of craft beer so your guests can experience a wide range of beer tastes. A few types of beer that you should plan to purchase include: ales, lagers, stouts, porters, and malts. A few styles of beer that you should plan to purchase include: amber, blonde, dark, pale, pilsner, wheat, and more.  

Test your guests’ beer-cabulary. Before the tasting begins, give your guests printouts of the types of beers they will be tasting and their descriptions. In addition, give your guests a sheet of “beer vocabulary,” and encourage them to use their new tasting vocab words. Examples of beer vocabulary words are: floral, smoky, malty, aromatic, grassy, sweet, hoppy, piney, and more. Your guests will have fun     

Party menu. For your beer tasting birthday party menu, make it simple and include items that you may find at a BBQ or cookout. Some items to include on your menu include grilled shrimp skewers, grilled corn, potato salad, grilled chicken, and burger sliders. You can even consider setting up a burger bar where you offer your guests creative toppings such as apple and brie, avocado and cilantro, and bacon.  Make sure to include non-alcoholic drinks such as lemonade and iced tea so your guests have an option other than beer. Serve warm soft pretzels with the beer for an authentic beer tasting experience.

Apple and Brie Turkey Burger Sliders

Ingredients

• ½ lb. ground turkey
• Apple slices
• ½ tbsp. olive oil
• ⅛ tsp. Garlic powder
• Brie cheese
• Fresh spinach
• Whole grain roll

Preparation

1. Mix ground turkey meat, olive oil, garlic powder in a bowl
2. Portion the mixture into 4 slider-sized patties
3. Grill burgers for about 3 minutes on each side
4. Sandwich the burgers, apple slices, brie, and spinach in between two buns
5. Enjoy!