Serving Alcohol at a BBQ

Hi,

I will be hosting a BBQ in the next couple weeks and it is for a young adults group from my church. We have as a requirement that you be 18 years old to join the group, and the drinking age is 18, so there are no legalities involved in the selection of drinks.

I have been assured that attendance at my BBQ will be aided by adult beverages, and that future attendance at our young adults group's events (which I am helping with) will depend on having decent booze.

There might be twenty-five.

I do not drink, I know a load about drinks (former connoisseur), but I haven't had anything alcoholic in many years. As I'm in my 30s, this question might be for a member who's closer to 18 or 19, if the FL attracts such people. Or perhaps you could indicate what you liked to drink at BBQs when you were a younger adult. My experience with alcohol at that age is different from what the average 18 year old drank, so my personal liking and dislikes are not relevant. I drank for quality, not quantity.

Does anybody have suggestions for a nice, low cost beer. I talked with one potential member and he's glad to come, but won't drink if driving. Another member doesn't want to socialize with 18yos because he doesn't want to go somewhere which is basically a pre-drunk. The event will be on a Sunday evening, so that won't really be an issue, unless we recruit our attendees from the local rehab.

Counting three priests, their wives, ten young adults, myself and anybody else I can shanghai into coming, means we'd be looking at at least 17 people. I'm hoping that in a few months, we'll have fifteen young adults. So over time, I'd need to purchase some serious quantities of liquor if I hope to have an annual BBQ. As local liquor stores tend to have sales, I am comfortably able to add to my collection over time instead of being told that a group are coming over, buy a keg and some tequila.

Are there brands popular for young adults today? I looked on the internet about drinks common with young people, Smirnoff and Budweiser came up often. Is this because underage drinkers are concerned with cost more than anything? As mentioned, all attendees will be legal, does this mean people by say, 21 tend to be more specific as to what they drink?

Keep in mind I have to answer to a priest (and ultimately the guy upstairs) and if I had a call from an irate parent saying that little Johnny went to a young adults group BBQ and came home three sheets to the wind and missing a shoe, then parked his car on the front lawn, I could be in trouble. Is it inappropriate to ask a priest to help serve liquor? Or a trusted older friend? Maybe fill a garbage can with cold water, toss in some ice and throw in some beers (canned) and just hope people can self-regulate?

C.

“Keep in mind I have to answer to a priest (and ultimately the guy upstairs)”....

Will do!!
Bowen

Perhaps limit amounts going in? For an expected 20 or so, maybe have 24-36 cans or bottles of beer and a couple of bottles of wine, and plenty of non-alc things to drink for those who don't want to drink the others. Plenty of snacks should keep things level, along with the presence of a priest or two. Personally, I would not ask the Father to serve the beer/wine, but ask him to encourage the soda, ice tea and juice. As you say, you don't want to be in trouble later, or be seen as hosting a free-for-all. And since it is a function connected to the church, any bad outcomes, or even iffy outcomes, might be immediately blamed on a lack of oversight on the part of the diocese.

I think you're overthinking it. It's a. BBQ, it wouldn't be out of the ordinary to make it BYOB. I wouldn't supply booze, but maybe a couple of cases of beer at the most. Stick with mainstream beers, unless you know for certain they'd like maybe something local. It's free beer. Nobody intheir right mind complains about that.

As far as the priest serving alcohol? I guess it depends on the priest. I'm Catholic, I'd be more concerned about my priest drinking all the beer.


Sent directly from my mind to yours.

You're in Alberta, so Big Rock Brewery is a good local option. Standards like Molson Canadian or Labatt's Blue are okay (please, NO Bud!). Avoid liquor or alco-pops (coolers).

The BYOB suggestion is good too. Most folks don't mind bringing along a six pack of their favourite to share. Also remember, red meat goes with red wine, or white with pork, or either depending on the nature of the food (sauce, etc.).

Remember your liability as a host, monitor consumption, verify DDs and be prepared to call cabs!