Tasting order

Im planning on a beer tasting with freinds soon - is there a suggested order for tasting ?
Do you start with the bitter/strong beers and move to the wheats/light beers or the other way around ?
On one hand bitter to less bitter makes sense as its like a meal - salt before sweet - but tasting a really bitter APA as a first beer can be a bit much.
Another option may be to alternate - dark/light or very bitter/not-so-bitter.
Any ideas ?

I would say stronger ones no matter if it's from hops or malt should go later and light ones earlier. Probably the most bitter last because that just seems to stick on the tongue for a long time.

Lighter/maltier/lower abv -> heavier/hoppier/higher abv

Start with an IIPA and your tongue will be shot for the night

Sigafoos said:

Lighter/maltier/lower abv -> heavier/hoppier/higher abv

Click to expand...

Completely agree. Actually, here's a suggestion that seems to work: pour all of the beers you'd like to serve for the tasting all at once. That way while people are enjoying your lighter beers that are better ice-cold, you can wait for the other ones to warm up to proper temperatures gradually, i.e. light(cold) --> medium(cool) --> heavy (closer to room temp)

Sigafoos said:

Lighter/maltier/lower abv -> heavier/hoppier/higher abv

Start with an IIPA and your tongue will be shot for the night

Click to expand...

Seconded. Always least potent to most potent.

Makes sense, thanks guys.