If you're like many restaurant owners, you're always looking for ways to increase your appeal to potential customers, and you probably know that menu upgrades are an excellent way to make this happen. For instance, today's cuisine consumers like fresh, local fare as opposed to a menu constructed primarily from frozen, processed foods.

Another way to give your restaurant an upgrade is to add a beer menu or upgrade your existing one. Many restaurants have lackluster beer menus that exist as an afterthought rather than a reason in their own right to visit the establishment. If this describes your place, follow these three tips for building a balanced beer menu and watch your reputation as a destination restaurant grow. 

1.  Evaluate Your Customer Base

Different demographics have different beer drinking habits, so be sure to evaluate your existing customer base to see what types of beer to add to your beer menu. For instance, if your place tends to attract a younger crowd, you'll probably want to include more locally sourced craft beers than their domestically produced counterparts.

Keep in mind that the millennial generation makes up the majority of craft beer drinkers and that women are slowly catching up with men when it comes to enjoying a good glass of craft beer. It doesn't have to be an either/or situation, however. If you've got a small-but-regular client base who likes their canned domestic beer, by all means, keep a little on hand just for them. 

2.  Hold Beer Tastings

Holding beer tastings is a great way to introduce your new menu to your existing customers and attract new ones. It can also be a good way to take the temperature of the beer drinkers among your customer base to see whether a particular beer should be added to your menu.

Invite representatives of local craft breweries to visit your establishment, and talk about their beer and offer samples. Most will be happy to do so, and you can add the beers that the customers like the best to your beer menu.  

3.  Invest in Quality Glassware

Quality glassware will show customers you're serious about your new beer menu. Most beers can be enjoyed in pint glasses, but if you're going to be serving Pilsners and other light lagers, a good Pilsner glass enhances the experience because its slightly curved, slender design promotes carbonation in light beers.

You should also carry 12-ounce glasses for those who don't want to drink an entire pint. For more information, contact a foodservice equipment supplier such as http://louiswohl.com.