Hosting a Successful Barbecue (Actually a Beer-B-Q) :: Free Expository Process Essays

How to Host a Successful Beer-B-Q Beer-B-Q's are great fun. They're like a mix between a full-blown keg party and a quiet barbecue. Beer-B-Q's are more relaxed than a keg party, with great food, but they're more fun than a simple barbecue. And throwing a great Beer-B-Q is much easier than you may think. First, a good location is a must. A secluded backyard is preferred, especially if it's big and has a deck and a pool or spa. However, a public park that has grills, and where alcohol is allowed, can work as well, but keep the noise level down to avoid any law enforcement attention. Second, you need good weather, so plan your Beer-B-Q for sometime between late May and early September for the best weather in this area. Memorial Day to Labor Day is always a good bet for the perfect Beer-B-Q season. Now that you've picked a date and have your location, the real preparation begins. Okay, first major step is food. Make sure to account for any vegetarians in your group of friends. Boca Burgers or GardenBurgers are good choices for vegan and vegetarian party guests, as both products are made with no animal products. Now, for the real carnivores you're sure to invite, keep your patties at or above a quarter pound size. Even more important than that, however, is the fat content of your patties. Get 98% Fat Free or better patties. Why? We don't care about watching waistlines! However, most of the fat in a patty gets burned off on the grill, shrinking the overall size of the patty. So a 98% Fat Free quarter-pound patty is going to be bigger than a regular quarter-pound patty. I hope that makes sense. Hot dogs are also always a good bet, and Oscar Mayer and Ballpark are perennial favorite brands. Be sure to have plenty of condiments, chips, salad or fruit, and soda for the underage or designated driver guests. Next up is music. Get a stereo. If you're lucky enough to be throwing the Beer-B-Q at a house with those neat outdoor speakers hooked up to the indoor stereo, you're probably set. Otherwise, get your hands on a 3-Disc or 5-Disc portable CD player with speakers that detach from the main unit. You won't have enough outdoor electrical outlets for a component system, so leave the big boy at home. As for music itself, keep it mixed up.