Any time you’re planning a party or gathering, it’s essential to plan the right refreshments for your guests, including drinks. While it might be okay to grab a case of Natural Light for a few friends who are coming over to watch the game, for some gatherings, it’s more appropriate to provide specialty beer from a local craft beer shop.

Whether you’re a specialty beer aficionado or simply hosting others who are, the knowledgeable staff at the Rabun ABC Package Store in Clayton, Georgia, will help you find the perfect beer selection for any gathering. Below they offer a few pointers on buying beer for your soirée.

4 Tricks To Buying Specialty Beer For Your Gathering

Eschew Imports

There was a time when people’s idea of “fancy” beer meant one thing: imports. While this is no longer the case, many of the classic “macro brew” import brands, particularly those from Europe, can still lend a veneer of respectability to a gathering. Increasingly, true specialty beers from abroad in many unique styles have become available in the United States. Providing some of these in party quantities, however, can become pricey.

Seek Out Craft Beers In Variety

Instead, many beer connoisseurs strongly prefer specialty beer from independent American breweries, and over the past two decades, astounding varieties of these beers are available. Your best bet is to provide your guests with craft beer in a few key varieties, like an IPA, a pilsner, and an amber lager. The staff at the savvy local craft beer shop, Rabun ABC Package Store, can probably offer pointers on a good mixture of beers for your gathering.

Try A Cider

Hard ciders have also become an increasingly popular choice, partly for their flavor and their long history. It’s also because they are compatible with gluten-free diets. If you think it may suit your guests’ needs or tastes, cider might be an option.

Go Local

Specialty beer fans tend to get excited about the location. It can be fun to seek out a local beer or try something brewed in a nearby city. Even if you shop more broadly, your guests may be amused knowing specifically where their beer was brewed, whether it’s Asheville, North Carolina, or Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Whether you need pointers on specialty beers or you’re looking to stock up on old favorites, Rabun ABC Package Store is Northeast Georgia’s finest craft beer shop, and they have the largest wine selection in the area. Stop by the store at 97 Highway 441 in Clayton to get advice from the staff about the best specialty beers for your next gathering. You can also visit the website or call (706) 782-6937 for more information.