<p>knitknee-the thing about beer, even craft beer, is that it comes in all levels of alcohol content. So you can have a craft beer that’s practically alcohol-free (like my favorite, a grapefruit-infused one) or heavier than some wines. Good beer should be served in a glass made for that type-hefewiezen in a glass designed to accommodate the large head, the strong barely wines in a snifter-type glass. No need for “unclassy” bottles. Actually, draft beer would be best anyway-no bottles at all. </p>
<p>It’s so funny thinking of beer as not being classy enough for a wedding. A friend of ours is in the restaurant business and his last 2 restaurants have been quite upscale. They serve several beers, local crafts and imported, plus a few national brands for the less adventurous. He always convinces the clientele that Miller High Life is the hip thing, lol, so it’s always on his menus. Cracks us up.</p>
<p>The women in fancy dress won’t be forced to drink beer. Stella has a more “refined” market. It isn’t my beer of choice so I can’t vouch for taste but as a brand it wouldn’t kill the vibe. Heineken and Sam Adams are pretty safe that way as well - more upscale looking for a beer than is pretty neutral. Many people (like my DH) don’t drink wine or hard alcohol.</p>
<p>I’m not a drinker, so take what I say with a grain of salt, but if I were to be serving alcohol at a wedding, it wouldn’t be beer. To me, beer is a backyard BBQ or watching a football game, and the microbrews just seem like more expensive versions of what’s fundamentally a backyard drink, I don’t think it fits at any formal party I’d host. Having said that, go and enjoy - but I do hs e the same reaction. </p>
<p>It might be regional and/or class-related, PG. My restauranteur friend’s wedding couldn’t have been more formal and there was beer. It just wasn’t served in cans out of a cooler, lol. Good thing too, since lots of people don’t drink hard alcohol or wine but do like a good beer. The Seattle area is full of microbreweries, home beer-making, etc. One place even lets you brew, bottle and special-label your “wedding vintage” variety beer! I’m sure there are people for whom beer is to de-classe for a wedding though, even here.</p>
<p>To those who question beer at a wedding, I can’t recall a single wedding I have attended that didn’t have beer. Many men like me don’t care for wine and many of us don’t want to be drinking hard liquor. Also, when people start dancing and working up a sweat, beer is the ticket. The last wedding I attended was at a nice venue and I saw the bride with a beer, a Corona. </p>
<p>My suggestion for a good all-purpose beer is Yuengling.</p>
<p>I can’t imagine a wedding not having beer, unless it’s completely dry. Not everyone drinks liquor or wine. I may be stereotyping here but what are the guys in the wedding party supposed to be drinking? </p>
<p>Stella Artois seems to be the brand of choice at the nicer events I’ve been to lately. It’s a good solid choice that is not too strongly flavored but it still good. It has wide appeal. </p>
<p>I don’t see anything wrong with serving beer at a wedding. I think it is expected (if alcohol is served). It would be served in glasses, not straight from the bottle, at most formal events (or even casual restaurants etc.) </p>
<p>Well you should probably have a beer for the “I don’t care; it’s just beer…” crowd, like Miller Lite or Bud Lite.</p>
<p>You should also have a beer for the connoisseurs … like a good microbrew ale or porter.</p>
<p>I suggest an IPA, a light American adjunct beer (for the masses…), and either a Bock (dark, flavorful German lager) or a Porter (dark, flavorful English ale).</p>
<p>Sseamom, that grapefruit beer sounds yummy. Can you please share what it is? I cannot drink beer with alcohol content over 2-3%, so I am always on the lookout for good ones that are not too strong. </p>
<p>I have been to many fancy events, even black ties, that served both wine and beer - must be the PNW thing. Agree that most Bud drinkers will not make a fuss if Sam. Adams, Stella, or Heineken are served, but it may not be the same vice versa. </p>
<p>BB, this would be perfect for you, then. It’s 2.5%, and from Germany, called Schöfferhofer Grapefruit Weizen. I have only seen it in two places-the Taphouse in West Seattle on draft, and one of the Renton Safeways, in 6-packs. I love it. You taste the grapefruit more than the beer. </p>
<p>Sseamom, you must try the bitter at Stoup Brewery.
I agree with local.
But it really depends on the food you are serving. I think you should for sure get some local pumpkin beer.
Along with ginger beer, ( I can’t say my favorite brand, as the first word is also the name for a male appendage-&Bull.)
You could serve a hard cider or scrumpy.
They can be delicious and would be very fall like.( along with the pumpkin)</p>
<p>Was just at a wedding in Greensboro, NC. The beverage package provided by the venue included Stella, a few macro brews, and then 3 or so selections from a local craft brewer.</p>
<p>Kegs, people, kegs. My niece’s venue served Mac and Jack in glasses. There was something else in bottles, poured into glasses. Way back when I got married we had a keg as well as wine. It must be a peculiar, PNW thing.
In any case, did you ask the groom what he and his friends like? Most of the young men I know are fairly particular about what they drink. Young women, too, for that matter. </p>
<p>BB and others, a Radler is beer with lemonade, orange, or grapefruit. Refreshing in summer. My local Thriftway had several German imports. Radler was even an option at Oktoberfest last week in Munich. </p>
<p>This does seem like a question the happy couple would like to have say on. Is there some sort of communication breakdown going on in this question?</p>
<p>Blue Moon is very popular in many places I’ve been. I’m not a big beer drinker but find it highly drinkable. Several of the more sophisticated beer drinkers I know have switched over.</p>
Will look for it! </p>