Beer Tasting Party Prep

Ok, done with kids parties for now.  It is time for some adult fun :-) So... we are having some friends over for a "Beer Tasting Party".  Just what mom and dad need...

Inspired by these food safe newspaper-like basket liners from World Market, I am decorating the buffet and main table all in black & white.

Used (and clean) beer bottles will serve as "vases" for some wheat sprigs "flowers".  I already had the sprigs from my Cheese & Wine birthday party years ago, and the beer bottles?  Well, those were really easy to collect...

I am so loving this chalkboard-like Con-tact paper!!  I used my "fancy square" paper punch to cut labels for the tasting glasses and the beverage tubs.  On the glasses I plan to write down each guests' initials or assigned numbers so we always know where our glasses are and whom they belong to.  

On the beverage tubs, the idea is to have one bucket filled with LIGHT-colored beers (such as pilsner, wheat, lager, pale/white/Belgian-style ale); and another one with DARK ones (amber/brown ales, IPA, dubbel, dunkelweisen, stouts, porters...) 

I made some "chalkboard" coasters as well, which are pretty straight-forward, but here's a DIY step-by-step just in case :-)

To make the numbered chalk paper coasters:

1. Find some coasters, ideally free :-) You can just ask your friendly bartender for some. I couldn't bear to part with my modest "collection" of beer coasters pinned through the years and different countries, so I was really glad I found these at my local Ross store, for $2 or so.

2. Stick it to black "chalkboard" adhesive paper (Amazon sells them, or try your local Target or craft store.)

3. Cut around it and repeat with the back side.

4. Now write or draw whatever you please!

To find out how the beer tasting turned out, head over to the next post here.