A Beer Olympics is a tournament of drinking games played between teams for a whole afternoon. Teams pick country names, wear matching colours and compete across a series of events for points. It takes a bit of planning but it is one of the best group parties you can throw. Here is how to run one.
Beer Olympics at a glance
| What | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Teams | 3 to 6 teams of 2 to 4 | |
| You need | Cups, balls, table, a few props | |
| Events | 6 to 10 games | |
| Duration | 3 to 5 hours |
Set it up
- Form teams. Two to four players each. Have every team pick a country, a colour and a chant.
- Pick your events. Choose 6 to 10 games (see below). Mix skill games with luck games so every team has a chance.
- Build a scoreboard. Award points per event, for example 3 for first, 2 for second, 1 for third.
- Open with a ceremony. A team parade and a toast sets the tone.
- Crown a winner. Total the points after the last event and hand out medals.
Best events to include
- Beer pong (the anchor event)
- Flip cup (fast team relay)
- Beer die for the skill players
- Quarters (bounce a coin into a cup)
- Boat race (a chugging relay)
- Cornhole or a lawn game for variety
- Beer darts for a garden event
- Flip, sip, strip style mini games as tie breakers
Hosting tips
- Have water and food stations so the day lasts.
- Keep pours sensible, since it is a marathon not a sprint.
- Print the schedule and scoreboard so nobody argues.
- Give medals or a cheap trophy. People take it more seriously than you would think.
Frequently asked questions
How many events should a Beer Olympics have?
Six to ten works well. Enough to feel like a real tournament, not so many that the day drags. Mix skill and luck games.
How do you score it?
Award points per event by finishing position, for example 3 for first down to 1 for third, then total the points across all events to crown the winner.
