Beer For Your Wedding: Choosing The Perfect Brew

Choosing the right beer for your wedding is an important decision, and it can be tricky to know how much to buy and what types to offer. The general rule of thumb is to have one drink per adult per reception hour, and to provide a variety of options to cater to different tastes. You'll also want to consider the season and setting of your wedding when selecting beers. For example, lighter, crisp beers are typically more suitable for summer weddings, while darker beers are better for colder weather and evening receptions. It's also a good idea to think about the food you'll be serving and choose beers that will complement the flavours of your menu.

How much beer to buy

Firstly, it's important to know your guests. If you know that most of your guests are big drinkers, you may want to purchase more beer than you would for a group of mostly light drinkers. It's also worth considering the types of beer you'll be serving. If you're offering a couple of well-known domestic brands, that might be enough to keep the masses happy. However, if your friends are obsessed with craft beer, you might want to offer a wider variety.

As a general rule of thumb, plan on your guests having two drinks in the first hour of the wedding and one drink for each additional hour. If you're having a five-hour wedding with 100 guests, that equates to 600 drinks in total or 6 drinks per person.

Now, let's assume that 40% of your guests will be drinking beer. That means you'll need 240 beers in total. If you're serving beer in bottles or cans, that's 20 12-packs, or roughly 17 15-packs. If you're serving beer on tap, you'll need two full-size kegs, or one full-size and two pony kegs.

Of course, these are just estimates, and it's always better to have too much than too little. You don't want to run out of beer halfway through the night! So, if you have the budget and the means to store it, it might be worth rounding up to ensure you have enough to keep the party going.

Popular beer options

When it comes to choosing beer for your wedding, it's important to consider the season, your menu, and your guests' preferences. Here are some popular options to get you started:

Domestic Beers

• Budweiser and Bud Light: A popular choice, often suggested to have one domestic beer option.
• Coors and Coors Light: Another common choice for a domestic beer, often paired with a craft or imported option.
• Miller and Miller Lite: Can be considered as an alternative to Bud Light or Coors.
• Sierra Nevada: An easy option for an IPA or Pale Ale.
• Blue Moon: A wheat beer option that is widely available and recognised.
• Anchor Porter: A good choice for those who enjoy darker beers.
• North Coast Brewery's Scrimshaw Pilsner: A craft pilsner option for guests who want something light with flavour.

Imported Beers

• Corona: A well-known imported lager.
• Pacifico: Another imported lager option.
• Stella Artois: A popular imported choice, often paired with a domestic or craft beer.
• Heineken: A pilsner option to consider for a darker, imported beer.

Stouts

Stouts are a good choice for autumn and winter weddings, especially if you're serving richer foods. Some options include:

• Young's Double Chocolate
• Stone Brewing – Xocoveza Mocha
• Goose Island Bourbon County

Seasonal Beers

You may also consider choosing beers that match the season of your wedding:

• Spring: Belgian Dubbel, Bock, or Berliner Weisse.
• Summer: Pale ales, fruit beers, or Witbier.
• Fall: Amber ales, Oktoberfest, or pumpkin beers.
• Winter: Stout or barley wine.

Remember, it's best to provide a variety of options to cater to different tastes. Two to three beer options are usually sufficient to satisfy your guests without overwhelming you with choices.

Seasonal considerations

Spring and Summer Weddings:

For spring and summer nuptials, it's best to opt for lighter, crisp, and floral or fruity beers. These seasons call for refreshing options that complement the warmer weather. Spring weddings go well with malty beers boasting floral notes or hints of citrus. Try a Belgian Dubbel, Bock, or Berliner Weisse for a springtime celebration. As for summer weddings, light and spritzy beers are ideal. Opt for citrusy pale ales, fruit beers, or Witbiers. If your wedding is outdoors during the summer, steer clear of heavy, dark lagers, as they won't pair well with the hot weather.

Fall and Winter Weddings:

Autumn and winter weddings create the perfect opportunity to embrace darker and maltier beers. For fall weddings, you can have both light and dark beers. Pumpkin-flavoured beers and Oktoberfest ales are excellent choices for this season. Fall wedding beers usually have a slightly higher alcohol content than summer beers. As for winter weddings, bold, dark stouts or barley wines will keep your guests warm and cosy. If your wedding is in the evening or at night, darker beers are also a good choice, creating a sophisticated ambiance.

Setting Considerations:

In addition to the season, the setting of your wedding plays a role in beer selection. If your celebration takes place outdoors during hotter weather, lighter-coloured beers are the way to go. On the other hand, darker beers are better suited for colder weather, evening, or nighttime weddings, creating a more intimate and moody atmosphere.

Variety is Key:

No matter the season, providing a variety of beer options is essential to accommodate different tastes. Aim to offer at least two different styles, such as a lager and a pale ale, to satisfy a range of preferences. This ensures that all your guests can find something they enjoy, making your wedding a memorable and inclusive celebration.

Beer packaging

When it comes to beer packaging for a wedding, there are a few factors to consider to ensure that your guests can enjoy their drinks safely and conveniently. Here are some instructive guidelines for beer packaging:

Bottles

Bottles are a classic and elegant option for beer packaging. They are easy to store in a fridge, keeping the beer chilled for consumption. Bottles also allow for a stylish presentation, such as using vintage ice buckets to keep the bottles cool. If you have any unopened bottles at the end of the wedding, they can be easily packed up and taken home, reducing waste.

Cans

Beer cans are convenient and practical. They are even easier to store and transport than bottles due to their lightweight and stackable nature. Cans are also environmentally friendly, as they are easily recyclable. However, some may prefer the look of bottles over cans, as they might not match the desired mood or aesthetic for the wedding.

Kegs

Renting a keg from a local brewery or specialist company is a great option if you want to serve draught beer. A standard keg typically contains up to 50 litres or around 88 pints of beer, but smaller kegs are also available. Mini kegs, for example, hold about nine pints of beer and are perfect for smaller wedding parties. Kegs eliminate the need for bottles or cans and provide a continuous supply of fresh beer for your guests. However, it's important to consider that a keg usually needs to be returned to the store if there is any beer left at the end of the event.

Bulk Suppliers

When sourcing beer for your wedding, consider purchasing from bulk suppliers such as wholesale warehouse clubs. These suppliers offer alcohol at discounted rates compared to regular grocery stores and liquor stores. By buying in bulk, you can get a cost-effective deal and ensure you have enough drinks for your guests.

Variety

It is recommended to provide a variety of beer options to cater to different tastes. Offer at least two different styles of beer, such as a lager and a pale ale, to satisfy a range of preferences. This ensures that your guests have choices and can find something they enjoy.

Seasonality

Consider the season and setting of your wedding when choosing beer packaging. For example, if you're having an outdoor summer wedding, lighter beers in bottles or cans might be preferable. On the other hand, darker beers in bottles or on tap may be more suitable for a winter wedding or nighttime reception.

Where to buy in bulk

When it comes to buying beer in bulk for your wedding, there are a few options to consider. Firstly, it is recommended to assess your guest list and their drinking preferences. This will help you determine the quantity and variety of beer you need to purchase.

A good place to start is by using a digital wedding alcohol calculator, such as the one offered by Total Wine & More. For a 100-person wedding lasting three to four hours, they suggest 150 bottles of beer, while increasing the duration to more than four hours results in a recommendation of 180 bottles.

To find the best deals, it is worth exploring club stores or retailers that offer discounts for large orders. Here are some options to consider:

• BevMo: They offer a wide selection of alcoholic beverages at affordable prices and host a 5-cent wine sale three to four times a year. They also provide free delivery for orders over $500 and will take back any unopened bottles. Additionally, they have a beverage calculator to help estimate the quantity needed based on the number of guests and event duration.
• Costco: As the largest retailer of wine in the country, Costco offers wine prices that are generally 10-20% lower than competitors. They also sell cases of Kirkland Signature beer, and you can snag free empty wine crates from the display aisle for wedding decor. However, keep in mind that Costco alcohol is non-refundable and non-returnable.
• Total Wine & More: Known as America's Wine Superstore®, they offer over 200 superstores across 27 states and provide wedding consultations in select stores. They also have a drink planner to assist with organizing your wedding bar.
• Sam's Club: They offer a range of domestic, imported, and craft beers at competitive prices. You can find popular options like Budweiser, Bud Light, Coors, Miller, and imported beers like Amsel Light and Newcastle Brown Ale.

By purchasing bulk beer from these stores, you can save money and ensure you have enough drinks to keep the celebration going.

Frequently asked questions