# Taking leftover beer home from a party. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 12, 2013, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-leftover-beer-home-from-a-party/652749 "2013-03-12T19:46:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-leftover-beer-home-from-a-party/652749/21 "2013-03-12T22:05:16Z")
Its rude. If I bring beer or wine to a party its a gift. If the host insists I take some home that is different. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-leftover-beer-home-from-a-party/652749/22 "2013-03-12T22:32:44Z")
I guess I wouldn’t think it was rude if it was BYOB and everyone was really just drinking only what they themselves brought. But most gatherings I attend all the beer, wine, etc that is brought by guests is pretty much then drunk by everyone. Unless the host said to take something home with me, I would just leave it. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-leftover-beer-home-from-a-party/652749/23 "2013-03-12T22:36:49Z")
I’ve never taken beer home. Anything I bring stays for the party. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-leftover-beer-home-from-a-party/652749/24 "2013-03-12T23:36:59Z")
we’re talking casual parties? I may take my leftover beer if I’ve already brought a dish or appetizer or dessert to share. Sometimes a bottle of wine or a sixpack is for the host, and I still bring my own beer or wine. I’v known people to bring their own stuff to throw on the grill, its all good. ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-leftover-beer-home-from-a-party/652749/25 "2013-03-12T23:38:15Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Its rude. If I bring beer or wine to a party its a gift. If the host insists I take some home that is different. This. Once you bring something to a party, it’s no longer yours to take home. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-leftover-beer-home-from-a-party/652749/26 "2013-03-12T23:55:24Z")
If you’re a broke college kid or just started a job and trying to get your shit together and it’s a house party - go ahead and take your lefties home with you, if it’s a nice small gathering leave it. If you’re an adult and not in serious financial straights, leave it regardless of the type of gathering. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-leftover-beer-home-from-a-party/652749/27 "2013-03-12T23:57:01Z")
Exception being if the host starts saying, “hey people, take some of this stuff away because I’m not going to drink it all.” ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-leftover-beer-home-from-a-party/652749/28 "2013-03-13T01:55:56Z")
Depends on how old you are and what the circumstances are. Like mentioned upthread, if you’re a broke college student at a kegger, take it. If you’re a grown up professional at a dinner party, leave it unless the host asks you to take some. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-leftover-beer-home-from-a-party/652749/29 "2013-03-13T02:01:24Z")
> [@Tom\_Scud](#): > > Exception being if the host starts saying, “hey people, take some of this stuff away because I’m not going to drink it all.” Exactly. Unthinkably gauche in all other circumstances. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-leftover-beer-home-from-a-party/652749/30 "2013-03-13T02:15:54Z")
> [@Peremensoe](#): > > Exactly. Unthinkably gauche in all other circumstances. Of course it’s gauche. It means you are either a) too much of a lightweight to drink the beer your brought or b) too cheap to leave a couple of beers at the hosts house. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-leftover-beer-home-from-a-party/652749/31 "2013-03-13T02:18:59Z")
> [@overlyverbose](#): > > Depends on how old you are and what the circumstances are. Like mentioned upthread, **if you’re a broke college student at a kegger, take it.** If you’re a grown up professional at a dinner party, leave it unless the host asks you to take some. Yeah, you wouldn’t want to lose the deposit on a keg. ---
**Author:** ![Chilliwack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e79b87/32.png) [@Chilliwack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chilliwack)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-leftover-beer-home-from-a-party/652749/32 "2013-03-13T02:45:37Z")
If you are at a place in your life where beer is necessary but hard to come by (poor student, underage student, etc.), then every beer counts, and you bring it home with you. Once you are a bona fide grown-up with gainful employment, you leave it behind. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-leftover-beer-home-from-a-party/652749/33 "2013-03-13T03:08:31Z")
> [@even\_sven](#): > > The only time it’s ok is if its a large, open invite, BYOB event where the host provides only the space and you are expected to drink entirely from your own stash. I wouldn’t leave my good beer to be drunk by strangers at some massive anonymous house party. > > If the host provides anything, even a bowl of chips or cans if PBR, leave it. It’s a host gift, and a little bonus for their gracious hospitality. What if the host opens their place for a big party and has to clean up afterwards? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-leftover-beer-home-from-a-party/652749/34 "2013-03-13T04:13:13Z")
Beyond rude. I wouldn’t even think of doing so. Once I bring something to a party, it’s for the people at the party, not just for me. Even if there’s some leftover. Unless the host asks you if you want to take home some leftovers, it makes you look like a douche. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-leftover-beer-home-from-a-party/652749/35 "2013-03-13T04:21:16Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > The parties I usually attend “leftover” doesn’t occur. Yes I understand the words leftover and beer, but I am unaware that they are ever used together, or what that phrase might mean. ---
**Author:** ![drew870mitchell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drew870mitchell/32/3946_2.png) [@drew870mitchell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drew870mitchell)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-leftover-beer-home-from-a-party/652749/36 "2013-03-13T04:50:19Z")
It’s gauche. Don’t do it. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-leftover-beer-home-from-a-party/652749/37 "2013-03-13T05:22:46Z")
Depends (doesn’t everything?). In one circle of friends I am one of the few beer drinkers. I bring a six or 12 pack to a party, and three hours later, the only ones missing are the ones I drank, you bet I’m grabbing what’s left on my way out. If I think the host will drink what’s left, I’ll leave it. That said, I find it odd that anyone would be insulted if a guest brought their leftovers home, no matter what ‘protocol’ is. In my mind BYOB does not equal “bring the dude who’s throwing the party a gift of booze.” Any host who gets put out because he or she is eyeing those three beers, hoping to drink them later only to see them vanish needs to get his/her priorities checked. If it really matters, you should grab one beer out of every six that come through the door and hide it away. ---
**Author:** ![\_Olive](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/4af34b/32.png) [@\_Olive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_Olive)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-leftover-beer-home-from-a-party/652749/38 "2013-03-13T06:36:29Z")
I wouldn’t think of taking with me. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-leftover-beer-home-from-a-party/652749/39 "2013-03-13T07:44:11Z")
I’ve thrown a number of parties where people brought their own beer or spirits, even though it was not a BYOB event… (I always supply tons of drinks and mixers but people have their own preferences). I’ve never batted an eye or thought ill of anyone who wanted to take back the leftovers of what they had brought. Even still, it seems like I always end up with more liquor at the end of a party than when I began it… which is impressive considering just how much drinking has gone on at my parties! I would say that it’s never rude to take back your own beer you bring, especially if you are with very close friends. If it is really just acquaintances but you are wanting to make a good impression, leave it with them. If it’s someone you’re being dragged to see and couldn’t give 2 squats about them, take back your damn beer and fuck 'em! ---
**Author:** ![Svejk\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@Svejk\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Svejk_1)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-leftover-beer-home-from-a-party/652749/40 "2013-03-13T10:19:52Z")
Pretty much all parties I attend are BYOB. I would not dream of showing up empty-handed, nor would I commonly take stuff with me. I think of the things that people bring to parties as the entrance fee they ‘pay’ to the owner for hosting and cleaning up afterwards. Sure, you then proceed to drink and eat your own entrance fee, maybe entirely, and that’s fine, but if you don’t, that doesn’t mean you can take it with you because it’s really no longer yours. Exceptions can be made 1) if you had very little and you’re leaving early or something; 2) if you’re bringing something the host won’t like - but even then, it would be up to the host to say ‘please take that shit with you, I don’t want it. And don’t ever bring Miller’s lite here again, scumbag!’. 3) I suppose large quantities of hard liquor, 4) beers to consume while walking home (bftr’s - beers for the road). I think that this pretty accurately describes how this works in my group of friends, I’m pretty sure there’s a fairly strong consensus on this matter. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-leftover-beer-home-from-a-party/652749.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-leftover-beer-home-from-a-party/652749.md?page=3)