Buying Beer for Others

Buying beer for a party or a get-together can be nerve racking and is almost a good excuse to have guests bring their own bottles. Having beer in the fridge for guests is at the same time polite and hospital. If your guests are not well known to you (like your wife's friend's husband or friends of your friends, co-workers, etc...) having some good beer on hand can serve as an ice-breaker.

three tips for buying for others:

     1. buy beer you wouldn't mind getting stuck with after the party is over. This is not the time to spend loads of cash on beer that you want people to think you drink. If you like Shiner Bach get it for your guests. Find out what they like and maybe make plans to get it next time and you can try it for yourself.

     2. drink what you serve your guests. If you are a craft-brew-only drinker don't serve your guests PBR while you are drinking a bomber of Corsendonk. If you are not going to share the nice stuff then hide it. If you happen to know that your guests like craft-beer then split one with them and drink a less expensive beer with them afterward.

     3. never underestimate the power of free beer. If a guest turns his or her nose up at free beer than maybe use that as a sign they should not be invited back. If someone offers me a cold Budweiser (which is not my favorite variety of cheap beer) I will thank them and tell them I take mine cold.