Some History

Initially (late 1800s), Beefsteak dinners were gatherings in rustic taverns or dingy cellars, sitting on crates or stools. These dinners were events where guests would sing, tell stories, eat steaks, and drink ale.

How Did It Work?

In these 'dungeons,' etiquette was set aside. No knives or forks were allowed. The participants ate tender morsels, wiping the grease on the tableclothes or aprons.

Updated For Today

Today, the Maker's Mark® Beefsteak Dinner is a consumer private event that seeks to recapture and replicate the fun and engagement of the original beefsteak dinner focusing on 3 areas: Bourbon, Beefsteak and Banter. The vision is upscale, but also about having fun - even a bit rowdy, loud and messy.

Some History

How Did It Work?

In these 'dungeons,' etiquette was set aside. No knives or forks were allowed. The participants ate tender morsels, wiping the grease on the tableclothes or aprons.

Updated For Today

How to Plan Your Event

The Bourbon

Bonding with Maker's Mark®

Beefsteak Dinners offer bourbon fans a chance to build a closer bond with Maker's Mark®.

Integrate Meaningful Education

Learning about Maker's Mark® is key. Be sure to include presentations on bourbon making, Maker's key features and how flavors in bourbon pair well with the evening's menu and our featured cocktails.

Follow the Drink Strategy

Feature Maker's Mark®, Maker's 46®, and Maker's Mark® Cask Strength sipped or in cocktails as food pairings.
For cocktails, consider featuring the Gold Rush and the Paper Plane. Download recipes here.

The Beefsteak

Create a Barbeque FEAST

Focus on creating a barbeque feast of steaks, tenderloin, ribs, sliders, burgers, from USDA Prime to Wagyu - and don't forget the sides! Or, work with your account to develop a food menu that works best for them.

Elevate the Presentation

Make the evening special by elevating the presentation of the Beefsteak with a carving station. Simpler, but also effective, create a 'moment' by presenting the Beefsteak on platters, paraded around the room to show guests.

Integrate Safe Serving

A traditional beefsteak dinner was enjoyed with no napkins or utensils. Food was served family-style and taken by hand. For health reasons, guests will use utensils and napkins and food will be plated or served from staffed stations.

The Banter

How to Start the Conversation

Attendees will take center stage at this event debating bourbon topics in a fun way. Encourage the conversation with some simple guides. Invite guests to pick a 'debate starter' card as they arrive. The card has 'debate points' on the two sides of the card. A Maker's Mark® representative will act as debate leader.

A Debate Topic for Each of Three Courses

'Sipped vs. Stirred' - a debate about enjoying bourbon straight or mixed
'Mixed Sweet vs. Bittersweet' - represented by a comparison between the flavors of the Old Fashioned and Mint Julep vs. the Manhattan and the Boulevardier (or your own selections)
The topic of whisky aging and a challenge to guests to pick the longer aged whisky from two samples - and to debate why

The Flow of the Debate

Each debate should begin with a short guided tasting based on the drinks for the debate. The leader will invite guests to make points for one side or the other. e.g., "Who has a point in favor of X?", etc. The room shows by applause which they prefer to declare the 'winning side' of the debate.

Dish Out the Bragging Rights

At the end of the evening, hold a brief awards ceremony for bragging rights, naming guests as 'Debate Star' or 'Bourbon Brain', for example.

**Be sure to check with your local Industry Law team to ensure compliance with all State and Federal laws**

How to Plan Your Event

The Bourbon

Bonding with Maker's Mark®

Beefsteak Dinners offer bourbon fans a chance to build a closer bond with Maker's Mark®.

Integrate Meaningful Education

Learning about Maker's Mark® is key. Be sure to include presentations on bourbon making, Maker's key features and how flavors in bourbon pair well with the evening's menu and our featured cocktails.

Follow the Drink Strategy

The Beefsteak

Create a Barbeque FEAST

Elevate the Presentation

Integrate Safe Serving

The Banter

How to Start the Conversation

A Debate Topic for Each of Three Courses

'Sipped vs. Stirred' - a debate about enjoying bourbon straight or mixed
'Mixed Sweet vs. Bittersweet' - represented by a comparison between the flavors of the Old Fashioned and Mint Julep vs. the Manhattan and the Boulevardier (or your own selections)
The topic of whisky aging and a challenge to guests to pick the longer aged whisky from two samples - and to debate why

The Flow of the Debate

Dish Out the Bragging Rights

At the end of the evening, hold a brief awards ceremony for bragging rights, naming guests as 'Debate Star' or 'Bourbon Brain', for example.

Event Format

25-50 Guests for cocktail hour followed by dinner and fun debate; three courses: light bites, Beefsteak Dinner, dessert; 2.5 hour event

Select an account that specializes in barbeque, smoked meats or Southern-style cuisine and enhance the decor with long bench or picnic-style seating in a room where the guests can get loud, complete with live music and branded bars.

Event Set-up

Set-up tables with menus, hand clappers and custom bibs. Set-up "Debate Starter" card board; set-up education props and awards.

4PM

Staff Training

Review program run of show with staff; assign roles for serving cocktails; discuss carving or food serving stations.

6PM

Guests Arrive

Guests greeted with welcome cocktail and light bites. Point guests to the Debate Starters board to read about the debate and pick a card.

7PM

Guests Seated; Welcome Remarks

Guests seated and Event Leader makes Welcome remarks and explains the evening's activities.

7:30PM

First Course/Debate

First food course and debate cocktail samples are served; or, carving station and food station open; food and cocktail pairing explained by Event Leader. Leader conducts first debate.

7:45PM

Second Course/Debate

Second food course and debate cocktail samples are served; or, carving station and food stations open; food and cocktail pairing explained by Event Leader. Leader conducts second debate.

8:05PM

Third Course/Debate

Third food course and debate cocktail samples are served; or, carving station and food stations open; food and cocktail pairing explained by Event Leader. Leader conducts third debate.

8:25PM

Each Debate Flow: 15 minutes

Samples Tasted, Explained

Leader presents tasting of samples. Leader explains the contrast among them which forms the core decision of the debate.

Leader Calls for Debate

Leader: "Who has a point to share?" "who favors Side A; Side B?" Go back and forth for 15 minutes with Guests making points helped by Debate Starter cards or their own ideas.

Leader Calls for Guest Reaction

Leader: "What a great debate! Let's see how the group feels." Here's the question; Who favors A; who favors B. The winner of the debate is measured by guests cheering, clapping or shaking their clappers.

Awards & Closing Remarks

Event Leader presents the 'Bull Awards' for biggest beef eaters; the 'Debate Star Awards' for those who contributed to the debate; and one or two 'Bourbon Brain' Awards for showing the best Bourbon knowledge. Leader closes event with remarks and thank you for attending.

8:45PM

9:15PM

Event Ends