When I was challenged with coming up with a fun party craft for the most recent round of Crafty Hangouts, I started brainstorming how I could use the labels to create a fun blind beer taste test. That led me to imagining how fun it could be to have guests bring a 6-pack of their favorite beer and exchange them for other guests’ faves. I kept thinking of more ideas, and I ended up with a total “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie…” situation.
The result was this entire beer themed party. Today I will share all my brainstormed ideas for how to pull together an inexpensive, but fun, beer themed party — complete with snacks, games, and party favors!
INVITATIONS: I made up a simple invitation using Canva, but you could also use PicMonkey if you prefer. Just include pertinent information and a way for guests to RSVP. It’s important to have a rough estimate of how many guests you will have attend, to make sure you have the right amount of beer.
BEER TASTING: Buy a mix and match pack of 6 different beers — either find a liquor store that lets you mix and match a 6-pack or buy a sampler case. Prepare the blind tasting with paper and printed labels. Pour the contents into small cups, one for each guest. Hand out tasting cards and have your guests see if they can guess which beer is which!
BEER SWAP: When your guests RSVP, ask each guest (or couple) to bring a 6 pack of their favorite beer. At the party, allow guests to exchange beers with each other so that each person goes home with 6 different beers than they brought in. Make sure you, the host, have enough beer to give one bottle to each guest. Add a special touch to those bottles with customized beer bottle labels!
FOOD: Any traditional pub foods would be perfect for the party: chicken wings, sliders, pretzels, popcorn, etc. I used more kraft paper labels to create party signage for some rolled lunch bags. The bags match the brown, white, and teal color schemed I ended up with, and I could just toss them in the trash when the party was done. No bowls or platters to wash!
FAVORS: In addition to the beer each guest gets to take home, give them with their own dollar store beer stein (like those I used for our Oktoberfest Party last year) to use during the party. Send them home with a Chocolate Chip Beer Cookie in a stamped treat bag.
DECORATIONS: Don’t spend too much time or money on the decor so that the beer is the star of the show. Just be sure to have a party tub of ice for all the beer to stay cool while guests are mingling. If you would like to dress up the table, you can easily make craft foam stamps to make a beer themed table runner. If you make the runner out of kraft paper, you can crumple it up and toss it when the party is over.
Sit back and watch all the mingling and fun your guests have, trying out new beers and discussing their faves. The party won’t cost you much money to throw, but I bet it will be one that your friends will remember!
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Thanks, Jessica
I feature a frugal date challenge on my blog and I was very inspired by your creativity! I linked this post to mine as I thought it would be a great way to enchance a relaxing beer tasting party. Your ideas are fun and polished. Keep up the great inspiration.