Brewing for a wedding... ideas on selection?

[apache_brew]

My good friends are getting hitched next late September, and I've been awarded the title of "brewmaster" for the event haha. We already have the green light to serve homebrew at the venue. I'm told there will be around 100 guests, and my plan is to have 4 styles on draft. I'm thinking two 5 gallon kegs of each style (I'm setup for 10 gallon batches). There's also going to be hard liquor, wine, and champagne so I don't want to exceed 5.5 abv with any style. The draft system will be setup with CO2 so any left over beer won't go to waste. I like brewing (more like drinking) German style lagers, and my first thought of a wedding in late September was Festbier or Oktoberfest had to be on the menu. Given I actually have some time to plan this out and room to store cold kegs, I'm thinking I could make this variety around March, and let it sit patiently until the big day. (this will also help me spread the work over some time) On the flip side, I do figure there will have to be at least one selection that is a heavily dry hopped/aromatic/flavor bomb that will need to be brewed very close to the day of the event. I'm leaning towards a NEIPA with this selection given popularity and general well received nature from low IBUs and the "juice" factor.

I'm not so sure about the remaining two selections. What do you all think? Vote in the poll and reply with any alternates.

Cheers!

 

[gunhaus]

I was in your spot once. We went with a sweeter hard cider by request of the bride, a cream ale ( Originally this was going to be an american lager, but after they tasted the Cream ale they chose it as their fizzy yellow beer choice. We made more of this than any other style because there are far more fizzy yellow beer drinkers than any other.) We then did an easy drinking Irish red. An SNPA type APA. And a very simple 4.2% Stout. They also bought a keg of Bud Light, for the crowd they expected would turn up their nose at anything other than the BMC, or at the idea of home brew in general. A plan B if you will. In our case we kicked 15 gallons of the Cream Ale, 10 of the cider, 5 each of the others, and ended up with more that half of a half barrel of Bid light left over. So go figure!

I would point out that the Bride and groom in this case are both self proclaimed "beeries" and much of the attending crowd, friends and family alike, fall into the same category, so the craft beers we offered were very familiar to much of the party. Remember this is not always gonna be the case!

Also, although West Coast type IPA, and the New England sludge beers are highly popular, we never really had anyone ask why we didn't offer one. I expected some of the hop heads to ask - but nope. Everyone seemed content enough with simple chugging beer!

 

[NTexBrewer]

I think what you are planning sounds good. I agree with keeping the beers in the 5.5% range. If I’m ever asked to be a wedding brewmaster, I’ve always wanted to do the Something New, Something Old, Something Borrowed, Something Blue with my beer selections.

Something New - NEIPA is a New Style
Something Old - Octboberfest/Märzan fits this
Something Borrowed - Maybe brew a beer style that the Groom and Bride Like
Something Blue - Blue Moon/ Witbier

 

[bracconiere]

sweet! 1 out of 2 people agree with my choices! lol (me included in that! )

 

[FromZwolle]

something light/crisp
something hoppy (juicy/hazy)
chocolate/coffee stout
hard seltzer/cider

 

[apache_brew]

I think what you are planning sounds good. I agree with keeping the beers in the 5.5% range. If I’m ever asked to be a wedding brewmaster, I’ve always wanted to do the Something New, Something Old, Something Borrowed, Something Blue with my beer selections.

Something New - NEIPA is a New Style
Something Old - Octboberfest/Märzan fits this
Something Borrowed - Maybe brew a beer style that the Groom and Bride Like
Something Blue - Blue Moon/ Witbier

I’m diggin the theme there. Might be something to run with

 

[thehaze]

NEIPA - new, exciting, full of aromas and flavours, which most people wouldn't expect comes from malt, yeast and hops
Weizen - easy drinking, enough aroma and flavour, low ABV, appeals to more people than a NEIPA would
Pilsner - classic " blonde " beer, which most people will recognise and probably drink, if they drink beer
Stout - dark, moreish, a bit of sweetness, coffee and chocolate, can sit in the glass a bit longer than other beers

 

[OldDogBrewing]

I'm more of a Belgian influenced brewer so I would say a tripel or a quad, but since you want them to be under de 5'5 ABV mark and you're more focused on the german side, my votes are the obvious Oktoberfest which was originally created for a wedding (nice story to tell on the wedding day) and the festbier but maybe something in the line of Schneider weisse festbier which is a citrusy Heffeweissen from the hop additions they make, it's really refreshing and can be made at a low ABV, something like 4 or 5 and still be flavourfull and easy to drink

 

[toms_Jeep]

I made all of the beer and wine for my daughter's wedding in Aug. Per their request he is what we served.
Nut Brown
Milk Stout
Blueberry Apple Cider
Dry Hopped Apple Cider
Cabernet Sauvignon
French Rose
California Chardonnay

 

[tracer bullet]

Just 2 thoughts to add - 1) It may be obvious but yes most people won't drink what you probably like and so keep it in mind, and 2) You might plan out the brew sequence so they peak at the same time. Dark beer first, hoppy one last kind of thing.

 

[VikeMan]

I'm told there will be around 100 guests, and my plan is to have 4 styles on draft. I'm thinking two 5 gallon kegs of each style (I'm setup for 10 gallon batches). There's also going to be hard liquor, wine, and champagne so I don't want to exceed 5.5 abv with any style. The draft system will be setup with CO2 so any left over beer won't go to waste.

There will be leftover beer. 40 gallons of beer per 100 guests is a little over 3 pints per guest. And with hard liquor, wine, and champagne as options, many of those guests won't be drinking beer. (Been there, done that.)

 

[IslandLizard]

I have one burning question...

... how much experience do you have in brewing?
Can you pull this off, successfully?

 

[eimar]

For a wedding ? just brew 1 beer: alimony ale, the most bitter beer in America

 

[apache_brew]

I made all of the beer and wine for my daughter's wedding in Aug. Per their request he is what we served.
Nut Brown
Milk Stout
Blueberry Apple Cider
Dry Hopped Apple Cider
Cabernet Sauvignon
French Rose
California Chardonnay

Way to go dad! and Congrats! How did serving go? Did you keg everything? Build some sort of kegerator? Bottles?

 

[apache_brew]

There will be leftover beer. 40 gallons of beer per 100 guests is a little over 3 pints per guest. And with hard liquor, wine, and champagne as options, many of those guests won't be drinking beer. (Been there, done that.)

Yep, I’m in the have more than what’s needed camp. I figure I’ll have to come up with some CO2 dispensing system in order to pour all the beer on gas, and then whatever is left over can just go back into cold storage.

 

[apache_brew]

I have one burning question...

... how much experience do you have in brewing?
Can you pull this off, successfully?

Sounds more like 2 questions, haha. I feel pretty comfortable making the beer. Been brewing for 2 years now and have made 20+ 10 gallon all grain batches of lagers and ales.
I’m more concerned about logistics of transport (venue is 2 hours away from me) and setup. I’m probably gonna have to build some free standing bar/kegerator to house a keg basin with ice and co2 tank with beer lines and taps.

 

[gunhaus]

Sounds more like 2 questions, haha. I feel pretty comfortable making the beer. Been brewing for 2 years now and have made 20+ 10 gallon all grain batches of lagers and ales.
I’m more concerned about logistics of transport (venue is 2 hours away from me) and setup. I’m probably gonna have to build some free standing bar/kegerator to house a keg basin with ice and co2 tank with beer lines and taps.

I used a 20 lb CO2 tank, with a regular 2 gauge regulator, and a homemade 4 way splitter for 4 gas lines. We used plain old picnic taps to pour. A couple of walmart plastic storage tubs to hold kegs and poured in ice around them. Simple. In my case, I have long ago gone to floating dip tubes and all closed transfers. For beer I intend to travel with, I have taken to conditioning for a time in one keg, then do a simple transfer to another keg which effectively leaves any yeasties, and thingies that settle out behind, so things don't get shaken back into solution during the move to a venue.

 

[apache_brew]

I used a 20 lb CO2 tank, with a regular 2 gauge regulator, and a homemade 4 way splitter for 4 gas lines. We used plain old picnic taps to pour. A couple of walmart plastic storage tubs to hold kegs and poured in ice around them. Simple. In my case, I have long ago gone to floating dip tubes and all closed transfers. For beer I intend to travel with, I have taken to conditioning for a time in one keg, then do a simple transfer to another keg which effectively leaves any yeasties, and thingies that settle out behind, so things don't get shaken back into solution during the move to a venue.

I’m planning on using a brite tank vessel (1/2 bbl sankey keg) to fine with biofine and carbonate before transferring to serving kegs to avoid any stirred up muck in transportation.

 

[Deadalus]

I have a four tap jockey box for events. I often consider this question. I like to offer one light and one dark, something smooth in the amber range and then a pale ale or NEIPA. I wouldn't serve a NEIPA at a wedding though, too high an ABV. People will expect something dark like a stout or a porter but there's still a lot of everyday beer drinkers that aren't into darker beers. You probably won't get as much consumption of beers on the bitter side. Kolsch has been a crowd favorite for me. As someone else mentioned, time your beers appropriately. If you are brewing heavy on the lager side, you will need appropriate temperature control for lengthier times and do you have the capacity for that? Leaving the beers some time to clear as needed would help presentation and getting the beers to the event early will help to keep them that way.

 

[apache_brew]

I have a four tap jockey box for events. I often consider this question. I like to offer one light and one dark, something smooth in the amber range and then a pale ale or NEIPA. I wouldn't serve a NEIPA at a wedding though, too high an ABV. People will expect something dark like a stout or a porter but there's still a lot of everyday beer drinkers that aren't into darker beers. You probably won't get as much consumption of beers on the bitter side. Kolsch has been a crowd favorite for me. As someone else mentioned, time your beers appropriately. If you are brewing heavy on the lager side, you will need appropriate temperature control for lengthier times and do you have the capacity for that? Leaving the beers some time to clear as needed would help presentation and getting the beers to the event early will help to keep them that way.

Good call on Kolsch, another crusher. I’m thinking only one bitter offering. At most a 50-60 ish IBU range ale.
As for cold storage, I’m lucky enough to have good buddy with a commercial brewery and dedicated space in his cold room...

 

[jrgtr42]

I would see what types of beer most of the guests would like. If it's a BMC crowd, then heavy on the light stuff. If they're beer types, then hoppy would be the way to go.
Personally, without knowing that, I would say ALL or Pils, Marzen, Pale ale or IPA (not NEIPA) and Stout. That'll give a pretty wide variety for most tastes.

 

[bracconiere]

If they're beer types, then hoppy would be the way to go.

hmmm....i've always considered hoppy beers a novelty? i'm not much of a beer guy though....i guess, but if you're trying to impress pot smokers, by all means go hoppy as hell!

 

[zacster]

I can't ever remember being at a wedding and seeing many people drinking beer. With that in mind I would cut back on quantity and stick to lighter styles. It's a wedding not a beer tasting. The parents, aunts, uncles, other family aren't there for beer, only the friends maybe. NEIPA? no, you'll find lots of half full glasses after. Stout? Only if they're Irish.

I've thrown parties at my house and barely touched the keg. These were people in their 40s, 50s and 60s, plus my kids and a few of their friends in the 20s. IIRC only my son drank beer all night because he likes my beer.

By all means make something but don't think you'll need a lot or need to cover all bases.

 

[Gozie Boy]

That ^^. My experience also shows that gatherings with non beer connoisseurs will flock 90% to lagers.

 

[Jloewe]

My good friends are getting hitched next late September, and I've been awarded the title of "brewmaster" for the event haha. We already have the green light to serve homebrew at the venue. I'm told there will be around 100 guests, and my plan is to have 4 styles on draft. I'm thinking two 5 gallon kegs of each style (I'm setup for 10 gallon batches). There's also going to be hard liquor, wine, and champagne so I don't want to exceed 5.5 abv with any style. The draft system will be setup with CO2 so any left over beer won't go to waste. I like brewing (more like drinking) German style lagers, and my first thought of a wedding in late September was Festbier or Oktoberfest had to be on the menu. Given I actually have some time to plan this out and room to store cold kegs, I'm thinking I could make this variety around March, and let it sit patiently until the big day. (this will also help me spread the work over some time) On the flip side, I do figure there will have to be at least one selection that is a heavily dry hopped/aromatic/flavor bomb that will need to be brewed very close to the day of the event. I'm leaning towards a NEIPA with this selection given popularity and general well received nature from low IBUs and the "juice" factor.

I'm not so sure about the remaining two selections. What do you all think? Vote in the poll and reply with any alternates.

Cheers!

So I’m new to brewing and no brewmaster... but with that said I’m a good chef and often get tasked with food making.

1) crowd pleasers for at least half if not more. That means drinkable lagers and easy IPA’s.

2) I’m honing my craft for my sister’s
s and eventually my own wedding. My idea (if it wasn’t too late) was to have a theme. Again drinkable stuff (even though I contradicted myself and voted for a stout lol) but it was going to be a bride (cider) groom (lightly hopped pale smash) and a graff (together).

 

[jbrewt]

My good friends are getting hitched next late September, and I've been awarded the title of "brewmaster" for the event haha. We already have the green light to serve homebrew at the venue. I'm told there will be around 100 guests, and my plan is to have 4 styles on draft. I'm thinking two 5 gallon kegs of each style (I'm setup for 10 gallon batches). There's also going to be hard liquor, wine, and champagne so I don't want to exceed 5.5 abv with any style. The draft system will be setup with CO2 so any left over beer won't go to waste. I like brewing (more like drinking) German style lagers, and my first thought of a wedding in late September was Festbier or Oktoberfest had to be on the menu. Given I actually have some time to plan this out and room to store cold kegs, I'm thinking I could make this variety around March, and let it sit patiently until the big day. (this will also help me spread the work over some time) On the flip side, I do figure there will have to be at least one selection that is a heavily dry hopped/aromatic/flavor bomb that will need to be brewed very close to the day of the event. I'm leaning towards a NEIPA with this selection given popularity and general well received nature from low IBUs and the "juice" factor.

I'm not so sure about the remaining two selections. What do you all think? Vote in the poll and reply with any alternates.

Cheers!

One of my daughters got married this past August and another in October - I brewed a Cream Ale and a Lemon Shandy in August and everyone raved over the Shandy and it was gone in just over and hour (5 gallons); In October I brewed a lemon shandy, a grapefruit shandy and a pear cider - all 3 kegs got drank, but the lemon shandy was still the biggest hit. They are pretty mild, less than 5% ABV and seem to be a crowd pleaser. The cider came in a close 2nd. Hope that helps.

 

[eimar]

It is a wedding, not a homebrew club meeting , . Go easy on the ABV and on the quantities.

 

[Deadalus]

One time a little over 20 years ago I went camping with my wife (non-beer drinker) and 12 friends, mostly couples (two arrived late though). I brought 2 five gallon kegs for a weekend arriving on Friday. Later on Friday night they told me the kegs were empty. I told them to switch over the CO2, that one probably needed a charge. They said they did that already. So I got up and checked and sure enough they were both empty. At least I know they liked it!

Of the late arrivers, only one got a glass I think it was.

Every one of them was at my wedding but that was before I started brewing.

Do know your crowd and all!

 

[zacster]

What better time to drink beer than when camping. That sounds like a lot of beer though to drink in one evening. I hope the vegetation nearby was hardy, you know, beer in, pee out...

But even knowing that I'd hesitate to think they'd all be drinking beer at a wedding when the harder stuff is available.

 

[grampamark]

If there’s going to be an open bar, you might as well bring some pictures of your beer. Nobody will be drinking it. If it’s a cash bar, you will have to have a pretty good read on the type of crowd who will be there. If it’s a “people of Walmart” wedding, you’ll need a lot of beer. Fizzy yellow preferred. A more sophisticated group will be divided among craft beer drinkers and folks who would rather drink anything but beer. We can’t really help you with that without your gut feeling about who will be attending.