It’s almost time for St. Patrick’s Day, a holiday beloved by beer drinkers the world over. Let’s face it, St. Patrick’s Day and beer go together like Thanksgiving and turkey… one just doesn’t feel right without the other. This year instead of sticking to the tried and true Irish favourite Guinness, why not host your own St. Patrick’s Day Beer Tasting Party and discover a whole new world of tasty brews? We’ve put together everything you need to host your own beer tasting party — except the beer of course!

— Download the Beer Tasting Kit

• Beer Tasting Placemats
• Rating Scorecards
• Numbers for Blind Tastings
• Beer Trivia Quiz
• Cheat Sheet of beer terms to help you describe what you’re drinking
• Cupcake & food toppers
• Toothpick Flags
• Place cards/Food cards

How to throw a Beer Tasting Party

1. Pick a theme

Wether you’re supplying the beer or getting everyone to pitch in, it’s best to start with a theme. Since we’re talking St. Patricks Day, Ireland or Irish inspired beer is the obvious choice, but there are lots of other options:

• Local Beers — Choose a selection from various craft breweries in your area.
• The full line up — Choose one brewery and sample their full line up.
• Pick a style — Stouts, Porters, IPAs, etc. Pick one and try a range of offerings from different breweries.
• Use a seasonal theme — pumpkin beers, winter beers, summer beers.
• Get creative — Only beers with animals on the label, or beers with a play on ‘hops’ in the name (Hopslam, Hopsecutioner, Hoptimus Prime).

Keep your guests in mind and try to choose something that will appeal to everyone. Understanding their interest level and existing beer knowledge is helpful too, but remember it’s a party after all so don’t get too technical or over plan.

(Photo credits: 1, 2, 3)

2. Serving the beer

Next you’ll need to decide if you want to have a blind tasting or let everyone know what they are drinking while they are drinking it. Personally I think it’s kind of fun to go the blind tasting route and let people tell you what they think of the beer. What flavours and aromas they are getting from each sample rather then telling everyone what to expect. Not only does this tend to facilitate more conversation points, it’s also less work for you, the host, as you don’t need to prepare any notes for the specific beers.

Which ever way you decided to go, keep in mind the serving order of your beers. In order to save your palate it’s recommended that you taste your beers in order of bitterness. The International Bittering Units scale, or simply IBU scale attempts to rate the perceived relative bitterness of beer (the bitterness of beer is provided by the hops used during brewing). Ideally you want to start with the least bitter beer and work your way up. IBUs can usually be found on the label, but a good general guide is to start with fruity beers, then Lagers and Ambers, keeping Pale Ales, IPAs and Stouts for later.

Next it’s time to decide how to serve your beer. If you’re having a large gathering you might want to set up tasting stations with small glasses at each and allow your guests to work their way around the party sampling and taking notes as they go. For something smaller and more intimate download our printable beer mats and pour a personal tasting flight for each guest. Or if you really want to look the part check out some of these amazing beer flight paddles on Etsy.

For the glassware, arguably the most important decor item, use small tasting glasses or shot glasses. Ideally you want about a 3oz pour per beer. If you’re having a large party this can be more challenging and you may have to use plastic shot glasses or rise them out after each beer. The important thing is to make sure everyone has the same style glass so they all experience the beer the same way.

Don’t forget to provide your guests with small pencils and tasting cards so that they can make notes as they go, and hopefully discover a new favourite beer along the way.

(Photo credits: 1, 2, 3, 4)

3. The Food

When thinking about food for a beer tasting it’s important to remember it really is all about the beer. You don’t need to get all fancy with individual pairings (although that can be fun too) but rather make sure there are palate cleansers readily available. You want to serve food that is mild in flavour so as not to compete with the tasting. Things like crackers, popcorn, light cheeses and of course water should be set out amongst your guests or tasting stations, for people to snack on between samples.

Once your guests have sampled their way through the beers they may want to go back and try some of their favourites again. This is a great time to bring out some bolder flavoured and heartier dishes and get something in their stomaches before they get too sloshed.

(Photo credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)

4. Decor

A beer tasting should be casual and fun. Skip the flowers and opt for more manly decor such as craft paper table cloths and wooden cheese boards for serving dishes. Consider going to your local homebrew supply shop to pick up some hops and malt to place on the table(s) during the tasting. Guests can sample the malt (taste) and smell the hops to get a true sense of ingredients used in craft beer.

(Photo credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

5. Entertainment

Tasting is of course the main entertainment. Encourage your guests describe the beer. If your friends aren’t all beer snobs, it might be a bit intimidating for them to describe the beer as anything other than good or bad. So, display a list of terms to use, or print out our tasting cheat sheets to help facilitate conversation. See what the general consensus is before moving on the the next beer.

Some other ideas to keep things interesting throughout the night:

• Beer Vote — Set up a ballot box and have your friends vote on their favourite beer of the evening.
• Name that beer — If you’re doing a blind tasting have everyone try to guess which beers are which.
• Beer Trivia — Think your friends know their stuff? Download our Beer Quiz and test out their beer knowledge with a little bit of beer trivia. The winner gets to take home any leftover beer (Leftover beer? I know I’m not sure what that is either, perhaps some beer themed prizes instead)

(Picture Credits: 2, 3, 4)

6. Have Fun & Be Safe

Lastly have fun. With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner what better excuse do you need to share a few good brews with some friends. Just remember to drink responsibly, and make sure everyone gets home safe.

— Download the Beer Tasting Kit

• Beer Tasting Placemats
• Rating Scorecards
• Numbers for Blind Tastings
• Beer Trivia Quiz
• Cheat Sheet of beer terms to help you describe what you’re drinking
• Cupcake & food toppers
• Toothpick Flags
• Place cards/Food cards

Last year I featured Kathryn’s beautiful Winter Ski Weekend Print in our Handmade Gift Guide: Gifts for The Ski Bunny. This year Kathryn had turned that print into cheerful holiday cards and is giving Talk Crafty To Me readers 20% off.

Cards are 5″x7″, laser printed on smooth, semi-matte stock. Inside of card is blank for your personal greeting. 10 cards come with 10 basic white envelopes. Packaged in eco-friendly recycled cardboard folio.

Visit her Etsy Store to order using the coupon code MERRY to save 20%.

PS. She’s also offering to write personal inscriptions, address and mail directly for an additional fee. Offer valid until 12/25/13.

— Click here to download the free printable

1. Red Velvet Macarons   |   2. Valentine’s Dipped Rice Krispies   |   3. Pink Ice Cream Sandwiches   |   4. Valentine’s Day Marshmallow Pops   |   5. Stamped Candy Bags   |   6. Strawberry Vanilla Oreo Cookies   |   7. Sweetie Pies   |   8. Hot Chocolate with Marshmallow Hearts   |   9. Candy Cane Hearts

1. String of Hearts – Inspired by the classic paper chain, this heart shaped version is a cute way to brighten up your mantel.

2. Crayon Hearts – These translucent hanging hearts are easy to make from waxed paper and crayons. Hang them in a sunny window to fill your room with colourful cheer.

3. Heart-to-Heart Garland – A cute addition to any mantle, but I love they way they’ve used it on the headboard. Who wouldn’t want to wake up to a room full of love on Valentine’s Day?

4. Valentine Heart Wreath – Wreaths aren’t just for Christmas. This beautiful heart shaped wreath would make a great addition to any front door.

5. Candy & Tulip Bouquet – Nothing says Valentine’s Day better than candy and flowers, and this beautiful bouquet is the perfect way to combine them both into a gorgeous centerpiece.

6. Paint Chip & Paper Punch Garland – Nothing could be easier than this fun and festive galand made from paint chips and a heart shaped craft punch.

7. Edible Painted Dishes – Decorate your dishes with edible designs for an extra special dinner.

Tip: You can use a craft punch to cut out circles for the playing pieces to save you time.

– Download the Free Printable

You don’t need elaborate plans, or big, grand gestures, sometimes it’s the little things that mean the most. These adorable handmade Valentines are cute & simple, and sure to make your special someone’s day.

1. Magnifying Glass Valentines – This cute idea is easy to pull together with dollar store magnifying glasses, and this free printable.

2. Fruit Sticker Valentines – Forget all the sugar this year and go for something naturally sweet. These tiny stickers are an easy and thoughtful way to show you care.

3. Felt Fortune Cookies – Let your valentine know you feel fortunate to have them in your life with charming fortune cookies filled with treats or special messages.

4. My Heart Pops For You – Fill a ziplock bag with popcorn and slap on this free lable and you’ve got a cute and yummy valentine.

5. Cupid’s Arrow – Another dollar store project, perfect for classmates. Fun pencils attach to this free printable, to make Cupid’s arrow. (You could also use pixie sticks)

6. Banana’s For You! – Check your local candy store for bulk candy bananas, and create this adorable monkey valentine. All you need is a couple of craft punches.

7. Pom Pom Monsters – These cute little monsters make an adorable valentines and they’re easy to throw together with a few craft store supplies.

8. Lucky in Love Scratch-off Card – Did you know you can make your own scratch-off solution by mixing 2 parts metallic acrylic paint with 1 part dishwashing liquid? Now you can make your own lucky in love scratch card with secret date ideas hidden beneath.

9. I’d SNAP at the chance Valentine – Let this cute little alligator deliver your valentine message this year. Warning there is a lot of cutting and folding involved in this project… but seriously, how cute is it?!

10. I love you to pieces – I LOVE Reese’s Pieces, so this idea hit’s a soft spot for me, complete with a free printable.

11. Whoopie! It’s Valentines Day – This cute Whoopie cushion valentine is fun for kids of all ages!

As I mentioned we’re in Mexico, and although I LOVE not having to shovel snow, there are parts of the fluffy white stuff that I do occasionally miss. When I came across this adorable idea for an indoor snowball fight I was instantly smitten, and knew I just had to share it with you.

You can use a pom pom maker like this one from Clover ($8.00 USD).

Or you can always use the good ol’fashioned cardboard way: (Download Template Here)

– Download Template Here

I hope you all have a fantastic holiday season! Thanks for reading!

Stamped Gift Wrap | Paper Snowflake Wrapping | Hand Stamped Fabric Gift Wrap | Washi Tape Gift Wrap | Paint Chip Garland | Kraft Paper & Felt ideas | Reindeer Wrapping Paper | Hand-drawn Giftwrap | Follow The Arrow Wrapping Paper

Handmade Gift Guides:

• Gifts for The Foodie
• Gifts for The Traveler
• Gifts for The Homebody
• Gifts for The Handyman
• Gifts for The Gardener
• Gifts for The Pet Lover
• Gifts for The Book Lover
• Gifts for The Ski Bunny
• Gifts for The Beach Bum
• Gifts From The Kitchen

2011 Handmade Gift Guides:

• Gifts For Her
• Gifts For Him
• Gifts For Kids
• Gifts For Pets