Starting your first live tasting
Live tastings are a fun way to bring your collection to friends anywhere. With a little preparation you'll look polished even on the first stream.
Key takeaways
- Schedule the event at least a week ahead to maximize attendance
- Use the run-of-show planner to keep pours and discussion organized
- Engage the audience with polls, chat prompts, and tasting cards
Schedule the event
Start by creating a new stream from your dashboard. The scheduling wizard walks you through the essentials.
Step 1
Set the basics
Choose the title, date, time, and visibility. Private events require an invite list.
Step 2
Add co-hosts
Co-hosts can control overlays, moderate chat, and add bottles from their collection.
Step 3
Share the invite
Post the link in groups, send email RSVPs, or share directly through Bourbon Buddy messages.
Prep your content
A thoughtful agenda keeps the tasting flowing and encourages participation.
- Add bottles from your collection so tasting cards auto-populate with stats
- Upload photos or short clips to display between pours
- Draft three to five chat prompts to spark discussion
Go live confidently
Run through a quick technical checklist before you hit 'Start stream'.
- Test camera, microphone, and lighting using the backstage view
- Mute notifications on your computer to avoid distractions
- Open the moderation panel in a separate window if you expect a large crowd
Tips from the pros
- Record a short teaser clip and upload it to the event page to boost RSVPs.
- Use tasting polls at the end of each pour to collect crowd ratings in real time.
Common questions
Can I stream from my phone?
Yes. The mobile broadcaster offers the same overlays and chat tools, though we recommend using landscape orientation for the best layout.
What bitrate should I choose?
Select auto if you're unsure. We adapt between 720p and 1080p depending on your connection. Wired ethernet yields the most stable stream.