Beer Buying Guide For A Graduation Party

Planning a graduation party can be stressful, especially when it comes to drinks. If you decide to serve alcohol, you'll need to consider the number of guests, the duration of the party, and the type of drinkers they are. A rule of thumb is to provide two drinks per person for the first hour and one drink per hour after that. For a short party, you may only need to cater to one or two drinks per person. It's also important to provide non-alcoholic options and to ensure any underage guests are aware that alcohol is off-limits.

Beer cans vs. kegs

When planning a graduation party, there are many factors to consider when it comes to drinks. Firstly, it's important to know your audience. Are your guests light, average, or heavy drinkers? How many will be over the age of 21? What is your budget? Will there be a bartender, or will drinks be self-serve?

If you're serving beer, you'll need to decide between cans and kegs. Here's a breakdown of the pros and cons of each option:

Beer Cans

Beer cans offer variety and convenience. With cans, you can provide different brands and types of beer to cater to various tastes. Guests can also drink directly from the can, eliminating the need for extra cups. Additionally, cans are easy to chill and store in coolers. However, cans can be more expensive, especially if you live in a state with a can deposit.

Beer Kegs

Kegs are a good option if all your guests like the same kind of beer. They can be more economical than cans, as you're buying in bulk. Kegs also elevate the event, giving it a classier feel, especially if you hire a professional bartender to ensure a perfect pour. However, kegs can be awkward and heavy to transport and may cause more foam if not handled and stored properly. They also require additional costs for the tap, bucket rental, ice, and cups.

When deciding between beer cans and kegs for your graduation party, consider your guest list, budget, and convenience. If you have a diverse group with varying tastes, cans may be a better option for variety and convenience. If your guests prefer the same type of beer and you want to create a classier atmosphere, kegs might be the way to go.

Alcohol vs. non-alcoholic

When planning a graduation party, it's important to consider the drinks you'll be serving. This includes deciding between alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, or a combination of both. Here are some factors to consider when making this decision:

Alcoholic Drinks

If you choose to serve alcohol at your graduation party, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, ensure that all guests are of legal drinking age. It's important to communicate this clearly to your guests, especially if there will be a lot of young adults present. You can also create signs reminding patrons of the legal drinking age, similar to those seen in restaurants and bars.

When it comes to the type of alcohol, you can choose from a variety of options, including beer, wine, and spirits. A combination of these options is usually a good idea to cater to different preferences. For beer, you can opt for a keg or individual bottles and cans. Bottles and cans offer more variety and convenience, while a keg may be more cost-effective if all guests prefer the same type of beer. For wine, it's a good idea to have both red and white options available. As for spirits, clear, grain-based spirits like gin or vodka, and brown liquors like bourbon or whiskey, are popular choices. Don't forget to stock up on mixers, ice, garnishes, and other essentials as well.

To estimate how much alcohol to buy, consider the number of guests, their drinking habits (light, average, or heavy), and the duration of the party. As a rule of thumb, plan for two drinks per person for the first hour and one drink per person for each additional hour. This calculation will give you a total drink count, which you can then break down by drink type. For example, for a four-hour party with 25 guests, you would need approximately 125 drinks in total, including wine, beer, and spirits.

Non-Alcoholic Drinks

Non-alcoholic drinks are a great option if there will be underage guests, non-drinkers, or recovering alcoholics attending your graduation party. They can also help you save money. There are plenty of fun and delicious non-alcoholic options to choose from, such as colourful virgin cocktails, mocktails, unique lemonades, fruit punch, iced tea, and coffee. You can even add fresh fruit garnishes to make them more festive.

When it comes to soft drinks, you'll need to decide between cans or 2-liter bottles. Cans are typically more convenient, as guests can drink directly from them, reducing the need for cups and ice. However, 2-liter bottles may be more cost-effective, especially if you're on a budget. Just remember to have enough cups and ice on hand if you go with bottles.

In addition to soft drinks, it's a good idea to offer other non-alcoholic options such as iced water, lemonade, or iced tea. These drinks are refreshing and perfect for those who want to avoid carbonated beverages.

Whether you choose to serve alcohol or not, don't forget to provide a variety of options to cater to different tastes and ensure your guests stay hydrated and happy throughout the celebration.

Budgeting for beer

The type of beer and serving method are also crucial. Buying in bulk, such as a keg, can be cost-effective if all guests like the same beer and you have the proper equipment to tap and chill it. However, a keg may result in foam issues and leftover beer that goes to waste. Alternatively, cans or bottles offer variety and convenience, but they are generally more expensive.

To estimate the amount of beer needed, the general rule is to expect one alcoholic beverage per guest per hour. For beer specifically, a 12-ounce serving (one bottle) per guest every half hour to an hour is a good starting point.

When creating your budget, don't forget to factor in the cost of other beverages, such as non-alcoholic options, mixers, and garnishes. Additionally, consider the cost of ice, cups, and coolers or keg tapping equipment.

Remember, it is always better to overestimate your needs than to run out of drinks during the party. You can return any unopened bottles or cans later, and your guests will appreciate the abundance of refreshments.

Beer storage and serving

Beer is best consumed fresh. It is a natural food product that has already undergone fermentation and carbonation at the brewery, and is therefore ready to drink. However, some beers, especially very strong beers (high in ABV) or beers with strong flavours, can be kept for ageing. Ageing beer in a cool, dark place for a few months or even years can be an interesting experiment to see how its character evolves.

For the most part, though, it is best to serve beer while it is fresh. All beer will deteriorate over time and develop off-flavours. Beer is susceptible to "skunking", where exposure to light, especially sunlight and fluorescent light, damages the beer within a few minutes. Beer bottles are often coloured brown to protect the liquid inside from light, with brown glass blocking 98% of light wavelengths that cause skunking, green glass blocking 20%, and clear glass providing no protection.

To preserve the freshness of beer, it is important to store it in a cool, dark place. Refrigeration is recommended, especially for draft beer, which requires refrigeration, and bottled beer, which can be kept for up to 6 months if refrigerated. Unopened beer will generally keep for up to 7 days, and once opened, it is best consumed within 3 days.

When serving beer, it is important to use a clean, dry glass. If necessary, rinse the tap with tap water between servings. The temperature at which beer is served can vary depending on personal preference, but it is generally recommended to serve beer at around 12°C (cellar temperature). Lighter, hoppy cask beers may be served a little colder, at around 10°C, to preserve the freshness and flavour of the hops. Cask ale, on the other hand, is typically served warmer than lager, at 5-8°C, and bottled beer at 4-6°C. It is important to note that serving beer too cold can reduce carbonation and decrease the aroma and flavour.

In terms of the amount of beer to purchase for a graduation party, this will depend on the number of guests, the expected drinking behaviour (light, average, or heavy drinkers), and your overall budget. As a rule of thumb, plan for two drinks per person for the first hour of the party and then one drink per hour thereafter. For a party of 25 people lasting 4 hours, for example, you would need a total of about 125 drinks, including about 32 bottles or cans of beer.

Amount of beer to buy

When planning a graduation party, it's important to consider the drinking preferences of your guests. If you decide to serve alcohol, it's crucial to ensure that only adults over the age of 21 are consuming it. Here are some tips to help you determine the amount of beer to buy:

Guest Profile:

Firstly, consider the drinking habits of your guests. Will they be light, average, or heavy drinkers? This will help you estimate the overall consumption and plan accordingly.

Number of Guests:

The number of guests is a crucial factor in determining how much beer to buy. As a rule of thumb, expect one alcoholic beverage per guest per hour. For a 4-hour party with 25 guests, you would need a total of 100 drinks. However, not everyone may drink beer, so adjust your calculations accordingly.

Duration of the Party:

The longer the party, the more drinks you'll need. The unofficial rule is to provide two drinks per person for the first hour and then one drink per hour for each subsequent hour. So, for a 4-hour party, the breakdown would be 2 drinks for the first hour and 1 drink for each additional hour, totalling 6 drinks per person.

Type of Beer:

Consider whether you'll offer a variety of beers or just a few options. If you choose to provide a range of beers, you'll need to purchase smaller quantities of each type. This will allow you to cater to different tastes and preferences.

Other Factors:

• Weather: If the weather is warm, people tend to drink more, so you may need to increase your estimate.
• Time of Day: The time of day can impact consumption. Daytime parties may have lower alcohol consumption than evening gatherings.
• Ratio of Adults to Underage Guests: If there are more underage guests, you may need less beer and more non-alcoholic options.
• Drinking Culture: Consider the drinking culture of your guest group. If they are moderate drinkers, you may not need as much beer.

Example Calculation:

Let's say you're planning a 4-hour graduation party for 25 guests, and you expect about 25% of them to drink beer.

First hour: 25 people x 2 drinks each = 50 drinks

Next 3 hours: 25 people x 3 drinks each = 75 drinks

Total drink count: 125 drinks

Out of these 125 drinks, about 25% will be beer. So, you would need approximately 32 bottles or cans of beer, which rounds up to around three 12-packs.

Remember, these are just estimates, and it's always better to have a little extra than to run out during the party. You can also offer a mix of beer, wine, and spirits to cater to different tastes and ensure you have something for everyone.

Frequently asked questions