Party Planning is Easy with ABC!
Let us help you plan your unforgettable event.
Whether you’re planning a wedding, small gathering or hosting a celebration, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits can help you plan the perfect event.
For large event planning such as a wedding or corporate event, we offer free consultations and complimentary tastings. Please click here for more information and to schedule your consultation.
Recommended Servings
Generally, wine and beer are the most popular drink choices at any given party. The rule of thumb is 50% of your guests will prefer wine, 30% will prefer beer and 20% will prefer spirits. An average person will consume 2 drinks within the first hour of the event and one drink every hour thereafter.
Choosing the Wine
Other than choosing the wines you think your guests will enjoy, it’s also a good idea to choose wines based on what you’ll be eating.
In general, red wines should be served alongside red meats and white wines pair well with lighter dishes and white meats. If you’re really looking to impress, consider a sparkling wine with appetizers and match wines to each course thereafter. As you explore our wines, notice the pairing information on each product’s detail page. These will help you make the perfect selections for your menu.
Here’s a quick rundown on our suggested wine varietals:
WHITE WINE
RED WINE
Sparkling Wine
Pair a bubbly wine with appetizers, light dishes and festive occasions. Choose a Cava (Spanish), Prosecco (Italian) or Champagne (French) and you’re covered for every toast.
Don’t forget…
Chill the wine. Place red wine in the refrigerator 15 minutes before serving as they are best served at 62-65°F. White wine should go in the refrigerator 30 minutes before serving and kept chilled in ice buckets throughout the duration of the event.
Get the glasses. Red wine, white wine and sparkling wines are traditionally served in different glasses. For a swanky soiree, make sure every place setting has one of each, plus a water glass. For more low-key events, a single style glass for white and red wine will do, but we still recommend coupes or flutes for the bubbly.
Choosing the Beer
Here are a few popular styles to get you started. If you’re hosting a beer tasting party, mix it up with several of these in bottles, cans or growlers.
LIGHT BEER
Sip these on summer days. They typically pair well with fried fish, spring salads and egg rolls.
Lager
Counter to ale, lagers ferment at cooler temperatures, making for a lighter body and refreshing swig.
Pilsner
Low alcohol and a light body pair with smooth, crisp flavors for a wonderful food beer.
Kölsch
Kölsch is a light hybrid ale with lager tendencies. It is sessionable, making it perfect for a hot day.
Wheat
With a hint of sweet fruit and a tinge of citrus and spice, wheat beer pairs well with seafood and pool hangs.
SOMEWHERE IN-BETWEEN BEER
These are good for warm days, cold days and any other weather phenomenon. They’re usually good with spicy foods and barbecue.
Pale Ale
This flavorful beer ferments at warmer temperatures with pale malts for color and balance.
Amber
Rich caramelized malts and fruity compounds make this another versatile food beer.
IPA
The hoppiest of beer styles, IPA’s best examples showcase balanced bitterness and subtle malt flavors.
Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest is both refreshing and hearty with a slight malty sweetness and low hop character. Pair with cured meats and spicy dishes.
DARK BEER
For colder weather, grab a dark beer. These can be heavy and are great on their own. But if you’re looking to pair, try brisket or chocolate.
Barleywine
Robust, malty and very rich, the round body of barleywine brings a fruity complexity to the palate of imbibers.
Stout
Toasted notes are the key characteristics in this dark, full-bodied beer, which often gives off coffee aromas and flavors.
Porter
Roasted barley gives a distinctive taste to the porter. Some brewers also age their porter in barrels, adding to its character.
Don’t forget…
Bottle openers.
Glasses. Beer aficionados will expect the right glass for the right beer. Pint glasses and steins are the most popular.
Choosing the Spirits
Cover your bases with spirits that can be mixed or enjoyed straight. We recommend a combination of the following:
Cordials & Liqueur
Take your bar from basic to full-service with dry vermouth and a few liqueurs! We suggest triple sec and St-Germain.
Don’t forget…
Garnishes. Have a supply of olives, limes, mint and cherries on hand. Shop garnishes.
Pack the ice. You’ll need a lot of it.
Master the mixers. Calculate 2 bottles of mixers per 1 bottle of spirit. Soft drinks, fruit juices and tonic water are all necessary. Simple syrup and grenadine would enhance your bar. Shop bar mixers.
Make your glasses handy. No need to have every cocktail glass. An assortment of highball and lowball glasses will handle almost every cocktail your guest’s order. Shop accessories.
Create a recipe book. Explore our curated list of recipes!