Between the pandemic and restrictions there have been a lot of missed opportunities to party over the last 18 months. Now that things are finally starting to approach some kind of ‘normal’ again, and the festive season is just around the corner, it’s time to make up for it. Maybe you have past occasions that you want to celebrate now with your friends and family. Or maybe you’re just looking for the perfect autumn party theme – may we remind you that you have Halloween, Bonfire Night, Diwali, Hanukkah, and Christmas to celebrate before the end of the year – take your pick!.

We all know that there is no better match than the heavenly union between cheese and beer. And yet, when it comes to tasting parties the go-to is usually wine. For inexplicable reasons, beer tends to be considered an inferior kind of drink and it’s not commonly used as a tasting pairing for cheeses.

While your standard parties will provide you with fashionable and foreign wines and only stack up a few cheap beers in a corner, we’re about to flip things around.

In these next few paragraphs, we are going to give you all the information you need to know about hosting the perfect beer and cheese tasting party. 

Are you ready to pop some bottles and nibble on a few delicious kinds of cheese?

Good! Let’s start from the beginning. Here’s how to host a beer and cheese tasting party… 

#1 Choose A Theme!

What’s the best party? A theme party! It makes it much easier to organise and will help you deal better with choice paralysis. Do you want to throw a bachelorette party? Is it a party to watch the match? Every party is a different one and requires different setups, different foods, and different drinks. First define the occasion (for example, a birthday party), then a theme for that. It could be a Halloween-themed party or an 80ies style party: the choice is entirely up to you! Just remember to do something memorable by coming up with a theme and giving it your own twist!

#2 Choose Your Cheese…

What kind of a beer and cheese tasting party would it be if you didn’t choose the absolute best of cheese? Certainly, you are not planning on serving your guests cheese strings or awful pre-sliced Emmental, now, are you?

Go the extra mile and pick up the finest selection of cheeses your local supermarket -or, even better, farmers market- has to offer. If you are planning an Italian-themed party, for example, it would be appropriate if you went on the hunt for the perfect Pecorino to pair it up with an Italian beer. Remember to try and not keep it too obvious!

#3 Choose Your Beer…

What we said for cheese applies to beer as well. Lucky for you, we previously gave you all the useful information on how to properly pair your brew with the nicest food. In case you missed them, don’t worry: we’ll give you some nice buying suggestions at the end!

We have countless of amazing beers to choose from, that will arrive at your doorstep right in time to be chilled and served. And you’ll surprise your guests with some of the best beers they’ve ever tasted.

#4 Work On The Setup…

At a party, the setup is fundamental. Probably you don’t know much about how to set up a cheese platter, or how to pour beers. That’s fine! 

Research has shown that the way you present your tasting platter is just as important as the actual product’s quality. And yes, cheese might be naturally beautiful but you will need to step up your game if you want to leave your guests happy!

The first trick is to cut your cheese in small chunks. Yes, we know: you might be tempted to devour your cheddar right as it is, but this is a tasting experience. You will have time to eat later! 

Put your small pieces of cheese on a nice platter -wooden, if you want to go for a rustic vibe- and add some nuts and fruit between them. Put your crackers, breadsticks and bread on a separate platter. Make sure you have small plates and napkins for your guests to comfortably use while standing!

#5 Make It Virtual!

Although there are no restrictions in place, the pandemic is still going quite strong. Traveling is not as easy as it used to be in the past and maybe you feel like hosting a party with friends and family who are living abroad. 

Well, why don’t you make it virtual?

Zoom parties have been going strong for the last two years, making it relatively easy for anyone to have their loved ones around on special occasions, such as weddings or birthdays. 

Share your list of cheeses and beers with your friends or send them a nice parcel with all the necessary ingredients to have their own tasting session at home. It’s the best solution while we wait for the pandemic to end!

Ready To Host The Perfect Beer And Cheese Tasting Party?

Do you need some help pairing your beer and cheese? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Here’s a short, yet comprehensive list of where you could start from!

There are countless combinations that you could go for and, let’s be honest: beer and cheese will always be a power couple. Do you need more ideas?  We are here to help. Shoot us an email and let’s throw an epic party together!