Beers for reception - Help me choose!

I'm assuming your venue is BYO if you are not picking off of a list. Where are you located?

*I work in craft beer.

I've never had any of these beers, but I would suggest picking a light beer. (Not sure if these are all light beers) Most beer drinkers like light beer and will drink it gladly, but if you offer dark beer less may drink it. I know I would probably only have half of a dark beer versus one or two light beers.

The sculpin IPA is a good choice. I've never had the others that you listed, but I'd have an IPA, a pilsner ( I had Scrimshaw Pilsner at my wedding), and an amber ale. I actually love stouts, but I know that those tend to be less popular.

We also had 3 and we chose a porter, a blonde, and an altbier which is basically in the middle. We didn't choose an IPA because a lot of people don't like them. Especially if your crowd isn't the beer drinking crowd.

I think all three of those choices are great. As someone who works in the industry, I can tell you that IPAs are by far the most popular style. Hands down, no contest.

I think those three offer enough balance for your guests to choose from. I ask where you're located to both pull in some more local/regional beers and play off seasonality depending on the weather there.

I know lots of people who hate IPAs (myself and fiance included), so having a white and a summer ale in addition would satisfy beer snobs like us.

Do they also have something less craft-y available? Like @Ashley said, a light beer would be a good idea, especially for the older generation. I definitely know people who only drink Bud Light.

Allagash White!!

I would suggest throwing in a darker beer option like porter or stout

How about a hard cider (apple or pear) since you're in the fall? And do keep in mind that not all of your guests may be sophisticated beer drinkers. Possibly one that is more mainstream?

I love Allagash White, although I think of it as more of a summer beer. It's very drinkable. I second the light beer option. My father informed me that some of my uncles will bring Bud Light if we don't offer it. We are offering Natty Boh as our Light beer as it is a local favorite, quite good, & comparable to Bud Light in terms of drinkability.

Thanks for all the great info everyone!

For those asking, we are located in seattle (wedding on Whidbey island), and the wedding date is September 23 of this year, so late summer.

And yes we are bringing in all of the alcohol. Kegs and bottles/cans allowed, and we'll have around 100 guests

I would have at least one mainstream light beer on there - maybe bud light or mich ultra. I'm a craft beer drinker, but my parents and brother are not. FH loves porters and FSIL hates all beer lol. Definitely get a more mainstream beer in there

I'm hearing you guys on adding a domestic light beer, that's been on of our main struggles. So maybe if we did the sculpin IPA, bud light or coors light, and then either the Allagash white or Summer love? Does anyone have any thoughts picking between the allagash and summer love?

Have you looked into your local breweries?

light, for sure. I've never had these but I bet the allagash white and the summer love maybe too similar. I would suggest an IPA, AN ALE, and something wheat or belgium styel. The ipa would be for the BEER people the ale would be the light easy drink beer and Belgium or wheat would be a unique kind of different flavor beer

I've done a lot of bartending people usually go gaga over local beers

I agree that you should do at least one that is more mainstream. I literally have never heard of any of those. And the hard cider is a good idea too.

I guess I should add, our dear friend who owns a grocery store has kindly offered to get the alcohol at cost for us, so the beers we get will be dependent on what the grocery store can get, but I'm assuming grocery stores can get almost anything...? We wanted to have a list and a couple backups before we meet with him about it

We'll also be offering 3 wines at reception (red, white, sparkling rose), and two signature cocktails (for cocktail hour only). Any favorite wine suggestions would be appreciated as well! I'm very sensitive to tannins so obviously I can't drink red and I've red that ppl like me do best with a very very "white" white wine