Last weekend I did a wedding where they served beer, wine and soft drinks only. Hosts decide to do this for a variety of reasons, including keeping the budget and the number of staff needed down, and frankly because they don’t want their guests getting too drunk. At corporate events they often serve beer and wine only because the events are on weeknights, are not meant to be blowouts. Also, it makes the planning and purchasing of supplies that much simpler. 

As a bartender I can serve probably twice as many people comfortably beer and wine, than if I am making cocktails. I have done events with over a 100 guests and easily served them beer and wine only. It only takes a second to serve a beer or pour a glass of wine, verses a cocktail, which is more labor intensive. Beer and wine only events often make sense for these reasons. 

Hard seltzers are very popular these days and can be used as a substitute for mixed drinks. Whiteclaw started the trend, but now there are so many to choose from including tequila and vodka based hard seltzers. They all pretty much have the same alcohol content (5%) as most beers. I personally am not a fan of hard seltzers, but many people really like them and actually prefer them to cocktails. 

Guests Rarely Complain

Guests at weddings, corporate events and other types of parties rarely complain when the drinks are free. They will drink what is offered and be happy as long as they have a few different choices. Red wine, white wine, sometimes sparkling wine, combined with a couple different beer choices and hard seltzers is a good mix. A couple of soda choices, maybe lemonade and water are the non alcoholic options. 

I have heard many brides and hosts who are concerned that their guests will get too drunk. They want to limit the choices to beer and wine so there is enough alcohol flowing to get the party going, but people don’t get out of control pounding shots and guzzling cocktails. This strategy often works, and while some people can still get plenty bombed on beer and wine, it is rare compared to what happens at full open bars. There may be someone who has their own bottle of liquor, but I have no control over that.

Another strategy is to serve beer, wine and maybe one premixed cocktail, like a margarita for instance. I am pretty good at estimating how much is needed based on the number of guests and the length of service. I usually discourage kegs unless it is a very large event, because kegs are problematic for a number of reasons, including that a lot of beer often goes to waste. Beer cans and bottles can be saved for future events or taken home and enjoyed. You may want to consider serving beer and wine only at your next event.