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The Wet Bar > Beverage Essentials

When entertaining, many people who play host ask themselves; "What type of beverages should I serve? Do I have enough for everyone? Will everyone like what I have chosen?" Save yourself the time and embarrassment of being wrong and use our simple guidelines to host a fabulous party.

First, you will need to know how many people will be coming to your soiree? Once you have narrowed it down to your confirmed guests account for 20% more libations for those who will bring last minute guests and unexpected arrivals. This way you will never be without and should have adequate beverage supply.

Secondly, it is important to know the demographic and gender breakdown of your party guests. You wouldnt want to overstock on blush wine for a Super Bowl party or order extra kegs of beer for a bridal shower would you? Variety also plays an important role in order to take into account for your guests their likes and dislikes of certain beverages. Consider hosting a variety of alcoholic beverages, specialty coffees, and non-alcoholic or alternative beverages.

Finally, if you are serving food, What will go well with the dishes you intend on serving? It is relatively important to know what your menu will be in order to properly plan beverage service that compliments your creations. There are no real set rules as flavors can run the gauntlet but by following these tried and true guidelines, you should be able to successfully pair your food with your wine.

Red Meat - Light to full bodied Red Wines, full bodied white wines, light to full bodied Beer

White Meat - White Wine, light bodied Red Wines, light Beers

Shellfish - White Wine, Champagnes or Sparkling Wines, light Beers

Spicy food - Beer, Medium bodied Red Wines, light to full bodied white Wines

Chocolate - Red Wine, Aperitifs, Dessert Wines, Champagnes or Sparkling Wines, Sweet Martinis & Specialty Coffees

Nacho's & Wings - Beer, Spicy White Wines, Light bodied Red Wines

Here are some simple rules of thumb when deciding how much to plan for. For ease of use we will assume there is a fair mix of both men & women.

• 6 Beer, Ciders or Wine Coolers per person ( This includes draft Beer. 1 50L Beer Keg will give you 144 12oz (Average tall neck Bottles) of Beer)
• 1 bottle of Wine for every 2 people
• 6 Hard Liquor drinks per person. (Account for each drink to be roughly 11/2/oz of alcohol)
• 3 Non Alcoholic drinks per guest (This includes individual bottled waters, Both Still and Mineralized)
• Important! Do not forget the 20% Rule

Exceptions to the rules are as such.

• If you are having a sporting event party, add 2 Beers per person & 2 Non Alcoholic beverages, subtract bottle of wine for every 2 people
• If you are having a dinner party, add bottle of Wine for every 2 guests, subtract 2 beers or ciders, Include 1 large water for every 2 guests
• If you are having a cocktail party, account for every cocktail/martini to be roughly 2 oz or shots and add 2 drinks.
• If you are having a party of mixed ages, add 3 more non alcoholic beverages. Include some fruit juice mocktails and blended virgin drinks

And the most important exception to the rule is Do not over serve your guests. These calculations are estimations and are not requirements for your guests to drink this much. Some guests will not drink nearly half of what you supply, while others will drink twice as much. It is fair to say that if you plan out the numbers accordingly, you should have no problem hosting a great party without leaving anyone thirsty. Cheers!

Please visit our articles on Beer and Wine Essentials for further information on wine varietals, wine and beer pairings and some helpful definitions.

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