Host a Beer Tasting

I've been talking with my friends at party-planning site Zokos about the elements of a good tasting. While there's plenty to be said for tasting technique, the beer's what really counts. So here are the five beers I'd pick for tasting that could please beer noobs as well as snobs.  

Radeberger Pilsner
Classic, bitter German pils that proves these beers really are hopped. The bite and subtle, spicy hops flavor are balanced again a mild, bready malt profile that makes this a satisfying beer to drink, but also an easy crowd favorite. I enjoyed it on a hot day  

Dale's Pale Ale
The aroma has a light toffee and sweet bread background with big, sharp grapefruit. The hops take over with a crisp, near ripping bitterness and citrus rind for a very full hops flavor that's more on-par with an IPA (this beer does have 65 IBU's after all). The aftertaste is long lasting with the juicy, bitter citrus flavors. This isn't a beer you'd soon forget. A must-try for hops lovers.

Rogue Hazelnut Brown Nectar
A super smooth brown ale with big hazelnut in the aroma. If I closed my eyes, I would have sworn the nuts were floating in my glass. There was a nice, sweet cocoa, maple syrup and nutty mix to the taste.  

Westmalle Tripel
This big, almost champagne-like Belgian ale is a touch sweeter with drop of candy and caramel. However, the beer veers away from the barley and yeast character toward the underlying hops that give this a dry, spicy finish.  

Avery Hog Heaven Barleywine
Unlike the sweeter, maltier English barleywines, Hog Heaven balanced the big, fruity barley character with loads and loads of American hops. This creates a bitter, but balance ale bursting with dry citrus fruit from the hops, which slides into the more berry-like and caramel notes from the malt.