It’s a party, and you’re bringing drinks. Whether this is a responsibility or a thoughtful gift, it can be something of a challenge, especially if you don’t know who will be at the party or don’t have experience picking out wine or beer for parties (or don’t drink). Don’t worry, we here at Hickey’s Wine & Spirits have some tips and guides for picking the best beer or wine to bring to a party without agonizing over choices.

Best Beers to Bring to a Party

Not sure whether to bring beer or wine? Think of the vibe of the party: for summer parties, sports events, and other high-energy occasions, beer is usually a good choice. If you’re going with beer, here are our tips.

• Your Favorite Beer: If you have a favorite beer, that can be a great choice. You can let people know why you like it, but don’t hog it all to yourself. The goal is to let others try it, and for you to try other drinks as well.
• Novelty or Seasonal Beers: Sometimes different beers can be a conversation starter, such as blueberry beers (like the Blueberry Ale from Wachusett Brewing). Seasonal beers are also great, especially around Oktoberfest.
• Best Overall Choice: Indian Pale Ales are some of the most popular beers for a reason. We recommend finding something made locally. For Central Massachusetts, we’ve highlighted some of the best local craft beer breweries here.

Best Wines to Bring to a Party

With the many types, regions, and brands of wine, picking one for a party can be daunting, especially for people who don’t know wine. Not sure whether to pick beer or wine for a party? Think about what people last drank when you were together.

• Your Favorite Wine: If you’ve got a wine you really like, that should be your choice. You can let the hosts and wine drinkers know why you like it, make sure not to keep it all for yourself—you should try other wines and let people do the same.
• Red or White Wine: If you know the menu in advance, you can try pairing a wine with their entrée. Seasons also play a role: chilled white wines are good for summer events, and red wines for winter holidays.
• Best Overall Choice: Rosé wine. As we talked about in our wine and appetizer pairing guide, rosé wines can go with almost everything and are easy to drink. You’ll almost always find someone at the party happy for another bottle.

Need more help? Come into Hickey’s Wine & Spirits in Worcester County. We’ve got over 500 craft beers and 2000 wines with the experts to help you pick the best beer or wine for the occasion. And if you’ve been put on snack duty as well, we’ve got you covered with a fully stocked store, from chips to charcuterie. For larger parties, offer discounts for mixed packs and cases. Contact us today if you have any questions, and we hope to see you soon!