How do you separate good beer brands from lackluster ones on your way to a drink spread that will make your party memorable?

Keeping in touch with the seasons isn’t a bad place to start. Indeed, wine stores and craft beer varieties are always pushing seasonal varieties year after year. Not only is it a fun way to usher in the change in the weather, it can keep your standard beer run from becoming stale. Today craft beer is leading the charge as some of the most successful alcohol industries, with wine and spirits following close behind as the United States undergoes yet another cultural shift. Should you be in dire need of a few ideas for your upcoming wedding reception or birthday party, check out the list below.

Summer alone is full of delicious ideas that can transform any event into a time to truly remember. Let’s see what wine stores and microbreweries can offer you.

Lemon And Orange Are Popular Summer Additions

What flavors make you think of hot days and fun events? Sour and sweet fruits are usually paired with spring and summer varieties, both of which can be easily matched by your local craft beer businesses. Today small and independent craft brewers represent an impressive 12% market share, with seasonal varieties often pulling old and new customers in year after year. A beer with a hint of lemon or a pale ale paired with an orange is a great way to kick off any summer event.

Hard Cider And Light Beers Are Fun And Breezy

Need more ideas to round out your beer list? Light beers are a good way to get people in the partying mood without offering anything too heavy right off the bat. Hard ciders, in particular, are a sweet addition that compliment many dishes nicely. It’s estimated today’s average catering bill dedicates around 25% to alcohol alone, so make sure you choose your spread with a little care. There are more than enough beer brands to go around.

White And Rose Wine Are Perfect For Weddings

Wine stores have you covered. The United States has since become the number one consumer of wine in the world, with over 7,700 wineries across the country to date. A recent study found over 15% of all Millennial wine drinkers buying a bottle costing more than $20 in the past month. Compare this to 10% of all drinkers and around 5% of Baby Boomers. Today’s five most popular wine varieties are Cabernet Sauvigon, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Merlot and Pinot Noir.

Cocktails Can Be Fruity, Sour Or Blended

You’ve already visited wine stores, but you’re still wondering how you can bottle summer into one powerful package. A cocktail is a great way to give someone a real kick that leaves their tastebuds begging for more. The number of consumers that drank pre-mixed cocktails with alcohol over the past month is around 14 million, with this figure remaining fairly constant year after year. Back in 2015 Millennials consumed over 155 million cases (or 40%) of all wine sold. Cocktails, in particular, are very popular at parties, get-togethers and weddings.

Pair Growlers For Events With Lots Of People

Have a lot of people at your reception? Growler fills will make sure nobody is thirsty. These are designed to hold enough for multiple people, easily refilled and easily transported between home and event. Total alcohol beverage sales in the United States have exceeded an impressive $215 billion, with this number only expected to grow as more people become acquainted with their personal favorites. Wine stories, small breweries and microbreweries all have something unique to offer during the turn in the season, so it’s up to you to get out there and ask them about their limited-edition specials.

Brimming with ideas? Your next great drink menu is bound to be a smash hit this summer.