I’m sure you’ve been to a beer-tasting event, whether held at your local beer shop or bar or at a beer festival, where hundreds of different beers are at your fingertips, and you most likely don’t have the time (or physical endurance) to taste them all.
But what about hosting your own? Maybe you’ve acquired unique bottles on your summer travels and haven’t had the opportunity to try them. Or you pick up a rare bottle one day because you are feeling adventurous and are “saving it for a special occasion” (like my bottle of ‘Hops N’ Roses’ from Captain Lawrence that I haven’t gotten around to opening yet).
Trying new beers is always exciting, especially for us beer geeks, but sharing them with other craft beer connoisseurs is even better.
Recently we were invited to our friends’ apartments to put a dent in their pretty impressive beer selection. What was even better: Many of these beers (or rather, most) aren’t even available for purchase in the NYC area.
So how do find a community of fellow craft beer lovers to share your beer with? If you’re as lucky as me, then all your friends have good taste (in beer at least) and it’s not hard, but joining a local craft beer appreciation society (like my local Richmond County Beer Club) or joining your local craft beer bar’s beer club is a good start.
Also, in past years, I’ve turned birthday parties into beer tastings. Put some records on (yes I have a vinyl player) and put some snacks out—along with a bunch of your favorite brews. Give your guests a glass and taste away. Sure beats pizza, soda and cake (ok, well don’t skip the cake if it’s a birthday party).
And cheese pairs beautifully with beers—pick up some stilton and some brie from a local dairy and you’ve got yourself a party. Crusty bread and crackers are necessary too. Use some of your beer to whip up some beer cheese or mustard and serve with pretzels.
At this recent tasting I was lucky enough to sample Kentucky Dark Star, an Imperial, bourbon-barrel aged oatmeal stout from Fremont Brewing Co. in Seattle (where my friends hail from). It was an impressive bourbon barrel aged beer, creamy and oaky, with hints of vanilla, chocolate balancing with a roasted bitterness.
We compared this to an Imperial Schwarzbier also aged in bourbon barrels, from restaurant/brewery Flossmoor station outside of Chicago.
The nice thing about hosting your own tasting party as you can try any beer you want at any time, but to really enjoy all flavors you’re experiencing, it’s good to start with lighter styles (we started with some sours) and move from there. Save the palate-wrecking IPAs for last.
Or maybe you just want to stick with one style: Everyone seems to be really into sours these days but perhaps have not tasted a lot or even found one they like. Have everyone bring one or two examples of their favorite sour beer and drink away.
You can make your upcoming Halloween party a pumpkin beer party. Have your guests bring their favorite pumpkin beer (you could even include some ciders in here since its cider season and drinking it is more fun than bobbing for apples). Offer some sweet treats and pair them with your pumpkin beers—even better than trick-or-treating.
Hosting (or attending) a beer tasting party can make your usual weekend plans a little more exciting. Watching the alumni football game with the guys this weekend? Bring a six-pack or a growler of your current favorite session beer. Sure beats choking down “The King of Beers,” in the back of your buddy’s fridge.
And if you want to get fancy, you can make your next dinner party revolve around beer and food pairings. Your guests will be impressed.
tap this! 
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