Host a beer-tasting party

There's nothing like a "cold one" on a hot summer's night, but these days our taste for beer is getting more sophisticated. With the wide variety of flavours, vintages and microbreweries on the market beer tasting is becoming as popular as wine tasting -- and it's the perfect excuse to get together with friends.

The prep work

The party can be as casual or as upscale as you like, and a patio or outdoor room makes an ideal setting. Here are the basics to get started:

- Draw up a guest list. The party shouldn't be large -- six to 10 people is a manageable number.

- Make room in your fridge or have coolers on hand to chill the beverages. Allow extra time to let the beer come to it's ideal temperature.

- Decide on the glassware. True beer enthusiasts (and environmentalists) frown on plastic cups, but they can come in handy if you don't have enough glasses to pour multiple samples for each guest. If you go for glassware, be sure to stick with the same size and shape each time. It's also a good idea to have a bucket of soapy water, a place to rinse, and some dish towels on hand for a quick clean-up if needed.

- Deal with the waste. A recycling bin and garbage can are must-haves, but to prevent messy leaks (or beer being dumped in your flower pots) keep a "swill" bucket handy where people can dump out what they don't drink.

- If you're hosting the party outdoors, set up a special table as your "bar" where all the drinks are poured -- and have a little fun decorating it too. (You may want to elect a bartender too). Arrange the seating so that samples can be easily passed around, and snacks are within easy reach.

- Print up a sheet to keep track of the samples and let your guests rate each one and make notes. If you want to make a game of it, before you start have your tasters write down their predictions for the favourite and least favourite beers, then tally the votes at the end and award prizes to the winners.

- Allow plenty of time. Aim for a full evening event to give your guests time to fully savour each selection and compare notes. Make sure to space out the tasting and take breaks so the taste buds don't get overloaded.

- Arrange transportation ahead of time. Unlike wine, beer should be swallowed to get the full enjoyment of the flavours on the tongue. As a responsible host you'll want to make sure everyone has a ride home for the evening, or a couch in your home they can sleep on.

The main attraction

With so many different choices out there, how do you know which to choose and how much you'll need? Experts recommend a couple of rules of thumb:

- Choose six to 12 different kinds of beer (depending on the number of guests).

- Plan on serving three ounces of each beer per person -- that's four samples per 12 ounce bottle. A six pack of each beer is ideal so there will be some left over to enjoy later in the evening, or to divvy up among guests as a take-home treat. (Taster packs or party packs are also available too).

- Select a broad range of beers if it's your first tasting -- like a light lager, dark lager, Canadian beer, imported brand, fruit-flavoured beer, etc. If you're up for a surprise (and a little cost-sharing), make it a "potluck". Have every person bring a beer they've never had before but want to try.