Glass is usually not allowed at big events like weddings and festivals. Security will take away glass bottles because they can break. Broken glass is dangerous and can easily hurt people. As a result, plastic cups for beer have become the standard choice for large outdoor events. However, for event organizers and bulk buyers, the real challenge for organizers isn’t just finding plastic cups. It’s finding cups that are safe, look premium, and actually improve the guest experience.
As a manufacturer specializing in plastic cups and paper cups for events and bulk purchasing, GMZ starts this topic from a real-world event buying perspective. Based on practical needs across different event scenarios, this guide shares key factors to consider when selecting disposable drinkware, helping you choose the right cup material and style for beer, champagne, sparkling wine, cocktails, and other alcoholic beverages.
Part 1. Key Factors to Consider When Selecting Plastic Cups for Alchoholic Beverages
If this is your first time buying disposable plastic cups for beers or other alcoholic beverages, there are six key factors you should focus on. These factors apply to most use cases, but their importance varies by beverage type. To make these differences easier to understand, the table below compares how different drink cups perform across each key factor.
Table A: Cold Alchoholic Drinks (Most Events)
| Beverage Type | Recommended Cup | Key Focus |
| Beer | PET / PP cold cup (16–20oz) | Capacity, strength, clarity |
| Champagne | PET cup | Clarity, presentation |
| Sparkling Wine | Small plastic cup | Portion control |
| Cocktails | Small plastic cup | Portion control |
| Spirits | Small plastic cup | Portion control |
Table B: Hot Alchoholic Drinks (Special Use)
| Beverage Type | Recommended Cup | Key Focus |
| Mulled Wine | Double-wall / ripple paper cup | Heat safety, insulation |
Overall, when purchasing disposable cups for any alchoholic beverage, these six factors are the base of most buying decisions.
1. Material
For beer, champagne, sparkling wine, and cocktails served cold or at room temperature, disposable plastic cold cups made from PP or PET are usually sufficient. These materials are widely used at outdoor events and meet basic safety and performance needs. However, for hot drinks such as mulled wine, standard plastic cups are not recommended. Because high heat can melt or change the shape of the plastic and lead to safety issues, so stick to insulated paper cups for things like mulled wine.
If you’re on a tight budget, PP cups are your best bet. They are cost-effective and perfect for high-volume events where basic functionality is the priority. PET cups, on the other hand, usually cost more due to higher material and molding standards, but they look clearer, a more premium appearance, and improved cup stability.
Mulled wine is considered a special-use scenario and is generally not served in plastic cups. Event organizers typically choose double-wall or ripple paper cups for hot drinks. While these cups are more expensive than standard plastic cold cups, their use is limited to hot beverage applications and specific seasonal events.
Overall, material choice plays a major role in determining both cost and suitability for different event scenarios.
2. Capacity & Size
Beer is usually served in high volume and at high frequency during events. For this reason, medium to large cup sizes such as 16oz or 20oz are commonly used. Larger sizes help reduce wait times, minimize repeat trips to the bar, and improve overall service efficiency. Although cocktails, sparkling wine, champagne, and wine are typically consumed in smaller portions, medium-sized cups are still often used at events. This is mainly done to simplify bar operations and standardize service flow, rather than strictly following traditional drink recipes.
In banquets, brand events, or specific cultural settings, spirits such as baijiu are usually consumed in small amounts. In these cases, small-capacity cups are better suited for portion control and align more closely with typical drinking habits.
3. Strength & Stability
At high-traffic outdoor events such as music festivals and beer festivals, cup strength and stability are critical. Guests are often standing, moving, and holding drinks for extended periods. Cups are frequently squeezed, bumped, or pressed in crowded environments.
Under these conditions, all beverage types require cups with sufficient rigidity. Soft cups break easily and cause spills. Strong cups keep drinks safe and guests happy.Under these conditions, all beverage types require cups with sufficient rigidity. Soft cups break easily and cause spills. Strong cups keep drinks safe and guests happy.
4. Clarity & Appearance
For beer, cocktails, champagne, and sparkling wine, visual presentation directly affects the drinking experience. Beer needs to clearly show its color and foam head. Cocktails rely on color contrast and layering. Champagne and sparkling wine benefit from high clarity to highlight bubbles and the light, elegant look of the drink.
In contrast, cloudy or grayish disposable cups can significantly reduce perceived quality. This is why more event organizers and buyers are placing greater emphasis on cup clarity and overall appearance, rather than focusing solely on the lowest possible cost.
5. Cup Shape & Presentation
When an event places a strong emphasis on visual impact and ceremony—such as weddings or brand-hosted receptions—the importance of cup shape increases. Champagne, sparkling wine, and welcome cocktails often appear in photos, videos, and social media content. In these situations, choosing a cup that closely resembles traditional glassware depends more on the event’s positioning and presentation goals than on the beverage itself.
6. Custom Printing
At many events, especially brand-focused activations, cups are more than just drink containers. Cups printed with logos, event names, or commemorative designs are repeatedly visible during use and in photos. These printed cups are a walking billboard. When guests post photos on social media, your logo goes viral long after the event ends.
Part 2. How to Choose Disposable Cups for Alcoholic Beverages
In the previous sections, we outlined the key factors to consider when purchasing disposable plastic cups. Below, we apply those factors to common event scenarios and explain how to choose the most suitable cup types for each situation.
1. Music Festivals / Beer Festivals / Outdoor Bars
| Beverage Type | Recommended Cup | Key Focus |
| Beer | PET plastic cold cups | Capacity, strength, and clarity |
| Champagne / Sparkling Wine | PET plastic cold cups | Durability and visual clarity |
| Cocktails | PET plastic cold cups | Easy handling and service speed |
| Spirits | Small-capacity plastic cups | Portion control; low visual priority |
At high-traffic events such as music festivals, beer festivals, and outdoor bars, the primary role of the cup is to handle frequent use, not to create visual impact. For this reason, beer, champagne, sparkling wine, and cocktails are often served in the same medium or large PET cold cups, as long as strength and clarity are sufficient. This approach improves service speed, simplifies on-site management, and helps control overall costs.
2. Weddings / Upscale Parties / Brand Events
| Beverage Type | Recommended Cup | Key Focus |
| Beer | PET plastic cold cups | Secondary beverage; simple cup shape |
| Champagne / Sparkling Wine | U-shaped PET cups or glassware-style designs | Visual presentation and photo appeal |
| Cocktails | U-shaped PET cups or glassware-style designs | Brand image and guest experience |
| Spirits | Small-capacity plastic cups | Portion control; appearance is less critical |
At weddings, upscale parties, and brand-hosted events, beverages play a stronger social and visual role. Cup proportions and appearance become more important. Champagne, sparkling wine, and welcome cocktails are commonly served in U-shaped PET cups or glass-like designs to enhance presentation and perform well in photos and shared content.
3. Winter or Nighttime Events
| Beverage Type | Recommended Cup | Key Focus |
| Mulled Wine | Insulated paper cups (double-wall or ripple) | Heat safety and insulation; separate from cold cups |
For Christmas markets and winter nighttime events, mulled wine requires special handling. Most organizers choose double-wall or ripple insulated paper cups to ensure safety and comfortable handling. This is one of the few outdoor event scenarios where hot drinks cannot be combined with standard cold-drink cups.
Part 3. Buying Custom Plastic Cups for Beer or Other Alcoholic Beverages in Bulk
Beyond the six core factors discussed above, bulk or custom purchasing of disposable plastic drink cups requires additional considerations. These typically include regulatory compliance, quality control, and supplier capability.
Alcohol can damage some materials, especially in long-term or high-volume use. For this reason, it is important to confirm that disposable cups meet international food-contact and packaging safety standards. During procurement, buyers commonly look for certifications such as:
- BRC Certification – a globally recognized standard for packaging safety
- SGS FDA – U.S. food-contact material compliance
- SGS (EU) – food-contact regulations for the European market
In addition, buyers should evaluate a supplier’s minimum order quantity (MOQ), pricing structure, and customization capabilities to ensure a good balance between cost, lead time, and product consistency.
For small-volume purchases, local wholesalers or online retail platforms are often sufficient. However, when event scale increases, or when specific cup designs, printing, or branding are required, working directly with a manufacturing factory is usually more efficient and cost-effective.
Why Choose GMZ for Disposable Plastic Beer Cups?
- Flexible Customization for Different Event Needs: GMZ offers custom production across multiple sizes and materials for disposable beer cups. Both cup printing and outer packaging can be handled remotely. OEM and ODM services are available to support a wide range of event formats and branding requirements.
- Compliance with Regional Safety Standards：Whether products are used in North America, Europe, or other global markets, GMZ manufactures cups in accordance with applicable local regulations and safety standards. In addition to widely recognized certifications, GMZ follows internal quality-control processes and places strong emphasis on sustainable manufacturing practices.
- Factory-Direct Supply with Competitive Value: All products are produced and supplied directly from GMZ’s manufacturing facilities in China. By working directly with our factory in China, you skip the middleman. You get consistent quality and the best possible pricing.
Conclusion
At outdoor events, disposable cups are never just minor consumables. They play a direct role in safety management, service efficiency, guest experience, and brand presentation. When selecting disposable plastic cups for beer and other beverages, organizers should consider how many people will attend, the environment in which drinks are served, how they are consumed, and whether the cups will appear in photos or shared content.
As a manufacturer focused on plastic and paper drinkware, GMZ prioritizes matching the right cup solutions to real event conditions, from PET cold cups designed for high-traffic environments, to glassware-style cups that enhance presentation, to hot-drink solutions that cannot be overlooked in winter events.
If you are planning to source custom disposable plastic beer cups in bulk from China, GMZ is ready to support your project.
