How Your Brewery Can Host a Heartwarming Friendsgiving Event
As the air turns crisp and the holiday season begins, many people start thinking about family, food, and togetherness. But not everyone can travel home for Thanksgiving, and that’s where Friendsgiving comes in—a modern tradition that brings people together to celebrate friendship, good food, and gratitude. Hosting a Friendsgiving at your brewery is a fantastic way to create a sense of community, draw in customers during the quieter pre-holiday weeks, and remind everyone that belonging doesn’t require a blood relation—it just needs a table and some good company.
What Is Friendsgiving?
Friendsgiving is a casual, festive gathering of friends to share a Thanksgiving-style meal—usually held before the actual holiday. Unlike the formal family dinner, Friendsgiving is often potluck-style, low-pressure, and full of laughter and connection. It’s especially popular with people who live far from their families, have found chosen families, or simply want a second excuse to indulge in turkey and stuffing.
For breweries, it’s an ideal theme that blends the comforting spirit of Thanksgiving with the fun, laid-back vibe of a tasting room.
Why It Matters
Hosting a Friendsgiving creates an opportunity for your customers to feel a true sense of community. Many people—especially younger adults, newcomers to town, or transplants—can feel disconnected during the holidays. By providing a space where they can gather, share a meal, and meet others, your brewery becomes more than just a place to grab a pint; it becomes a second home.
How to Host a Friendsgiving at Your Brewery
1. Pick a Date & Give Plenty of Notice
Choose a date one to two weeks before Thanksgiving, ideally on a weekend to allow for travel and work schedules. Start promoting the event well in advance on your social media, email newsletter, and in-house signage.
2. Make It a Potluck—or Partner with Local Food Vendors
You can go traditional and ask guests to bring a dish (make sure to have a signup sheet to avoid six green bean casseroles), or you can partner with a food truck or catering service to offer a fixed-price Thanksgiving meal. A beer pairing flight with classic holiday foods is a great upsell.
3. Encourage Reservations or RSVPs
To keep things manageable, require RSVPs or sell a limited number of tickets. This helps you plan for seating, food needs, and staffing.
4. Create a Cozy Vibe
Decorate with warm lighting, autumn-themed décor, and long communal tables to encourage mingling. Play chill background music or even host a local acoustic musician to add ambiance without overwhelming conversation.
5. Add a Gratitude Wall or Table
Set up a station where people can write what they’re thankful for and pin it to a board or drop it into a jar. It’s a simple but powerful way to remind people that they’re part of something meaningful.
6. Consider a Charitable Angle
Encourage guests to bring canned goods for a local food pantry or donate a portion of the night’s sales to a community organization. Giving back deepens the spirit of the season and builds goodwill.
7. Capture the Moment
Set up a photo booth with photo props or invite a local photographer to snap candid shots. Share the photos on your social media with a branded hashtag like #BreweryFriendsgiving.
In a season built around gratitude and connection, hosting a Friendsgiving event allows your brewery to become a hub of warmth and friendship. It’s more than just good food and beer—it’s a celebration of the people we choose to surround ourselves with. And that kind of community is worth toasting to.
