Hosting, Craft for the Masses...

I would probably go with a wheat beer, I like boulevard, or if you get great divide in New York, Colette is approachable. I would just stay away from anything to hoppy or high in alcohol.

 

Samuel Adams: overly sweet, easily drinkable. Except their nitro IPA (LOL)

 

I think a lot depends on your budget and your crowd. Let's say you are having 20 people over and each person is going to drink 4 beers each, so you want ~100 beers (some people will drink more, some less, some things will be popular, some won't). Many people will foolishly suggest something like Nooner or Prima Pils to upgrade the Bud Light drinkers. Personally, in my area, I can pay $40/case for either of those beers ($36 or so on sale) or $18.49/case for BMC 24 packs. I'd rather take the $160 I would spend on beer at $40/case and instead buy two cases of BMC at $37 and then spend $123 on nicer stuff to be enjoyed by myself and anybody else interested in craft.

In my case, the craft is there is people want to try it, but if they're going to drink something craft and bitch "it ain't Bud Light" then I'm not spending extra money.

 

If they want Keystone Light I'll be sure to have some available. They're also welcome to sample whatever craft beers I have on hand. If that's not enough I'll give them directions to the nearest store.

 

Yuengling is the way to go. Keep a small stash aside of the good stuff for those who would appreciate.

 

Good call. I didn't think about that one because we keep it around so much it's sort of a staple in the fridge.

 

Pilsner Urquell
An Oktoberfest (pick any decent ones that are out now)
A gose perhaps if you can find a respectable one in your area that isn't too sour.
Dogfishhead Namaste is always a nice light flavorful beer IMO. Find it fresh though.
Anything by Sam Smith or Weihenstephaner are excellent and nice intro craft beers.
Maybe grab a Schlafly Pumpkin or 2 for those that are more adventerous. That one is my personal favorite pumpkin beer and easy to find.

Just some ideas for non-craft people to tolerate. I'd assume most heavy cheap beer drinkers will bring their own 12 pack of BMC or whatever is their preference anyway. Really the craft option is just for a sampling for the more adventerous BMC drinker, not expecting them to slug down 4+ of your craft beers.

 

I would suggest Narragansett Lager, Fest, or Bohemian Pilsner if currently available. These are better than decent beers and should be available in most New York markets. Even the worst snobs will knock these down....well most of them. Also, Victory Prima Pils and Spaten Oktoberfest would please most anyone that I know.

 

given this time of year, your guests enjoyment of keystone and the purpose of your event i'll throw my suggestions into the ring

for the Keystone/bud light/etc fans:
-Victory Prima Pils
-Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold
-Weihenstephaner Original
-Sixpoint the Crisp
-Two Roads Ol' Factory Pils
-Paulaner Lager

seasonal beers that are very good:
-Great Lakes Oktoberfest
-Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest

for the Blue Moon fans:
-Weihenstephaner Hefe
-Weihenstephaner Kristalweizen
-Allagash White
-Dogfish Head Namaste

lighter ales:
-Yards Pale Ale
-Fruh Kolsch

i have friends who love craft beer and would bring their own, friends who would try anything, and friends who will only drink their cheap light beer. some people only like their cheap bland beer so don't stress too much

 

For parties I will stock Sam Adams, Sol (or any mexican lager), sometimes Narragansett or Yuengling.

 

To give credit where due snobbery is infinite, like the Universe. To paraphrase Einstein genius has limits but snobbery doesn't.

 

The trouble with that is that far to many drinkers enjoy craft if they don't have to pay for it. Unless you are willing to tell friends no you can't have a SNPA ect they will drink the good stuff.

 

I would not even worry about it. People are coming over for football not a beer tasting. I would go snag 30 packs of beer and stock the coolers. Get yourself some favorites and then enjoy the games. If you know your guests well then by all means toss in some of their favorites but I would keep it simple. I know my buddies are more concerned about having enough than what brand it is, so I just make sure to have plenty on hand and keep it cold.
Cheers

 

Great break down. I would second Früh Kölsch, had my first bottle this week, it is a very well brewed and easy drinking beer. Everything on this list would be good!

 

If you definitely want to have good on hand maybe consider asking everyone to bring 1 6 pack of a local beer. That you will stock the main stuff but if people want a little variety then please bring some fav with ya. This way you provide the mass beer and people can bring some special ones for everyone to enjoy a few.

 

I would stay away from Prima Pils. It's way too hoppy for a BMC drinker. Since it's a pilsner, too many will compare it to another "pilsner", Miller Lite, and potentially dump it.