Looking for a party game that’s easy, wild, and a guaranteed party starter? Meet Beeramid drinking game, the card-based chaos engine that’s fueled countless legendary nights. Whether you’re throwing a dorm bash, a backyard BBQ, or a casual hangout with friends, Beeramid is your ticket to quick laughs, light strategy, and heavy pours. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to play Beeramid, set it up perfectly, explore popular variations, and pick up some sneaky tricks to dominate the table. Ready to become a Beeramid master? Let’s jump right in.
Table of Contents
What is the Beeramid Drinking Game?
Beeramid is a drinking game that takes its name from the classic Egyptian pyramid, but instead of stacking stones, you’re stacking cards and drinks. It’s a simple, brilliant concept: flip cards, call bluffs, and drink when caught. It’s beloved for how easy it is to set up, how flexible the rules can be, and how quickly it escalates from a polite sipping session into full-blown, hilarious mayhem.
Why Beeramid Is Perfect for Parties
The beauty of Beeramid is its ability to accommodate nearly any group size and vibe. It’s fast-paced enough to keep even distracted partygoers interested but doesn’t require athleticism or complicated props. Plus, it blends strategic bluffing with a healthy dose of liquid courage, which tends to produce unforgettable moments and, occasionally, videos you’ll later regret posting.
Beeramid Drinking Game Setup: What You’ll Need
Essential Supplies
To play Beeramid, you need:
- A full deck of playing cards
- Enough beer (or any drink) for all players
- A table or flat surface
- 3 or more willing participants (the more, the better)
Setting Up the Card Pyramid Step-by-Step
- Shuffle the deck thoroughly.
- Build a pyramid by laying cards face-down:
- Bottom row: 5 cards
- Next row: 4 cards
- Keep going until the top row has 1 card.
- Keep the extra cards for dealing to players.
This structure forms the “Beeramid” you’ll work through during the game. Some players prefer a bigger pyramid (like 6-5-4-3-2-1) for longer sessions, but 5 rows is a solid starting point.
How to Play Beeramid: Step-by-Step Rules
Matching Cards and Calling Out
Each player is dealt 4 cards that they keep hidden from others. Starting at the bottom row of the pyramid, flip one card at a time. If you have a card matching the one flipped (same rank, suits don’t matter), you can call someone out to drink.
For example, if a 7 is flipped and you have a 7, you can nominate a player to drink.
Drinking Challenges and Penalties
The number of drinks corresponds to the row number:
- Bottom row = 1 drink
- Next row = 2 drinks
- Top row = 5 drinks
It ramps up quickly. Choose your enemies wisely.
What Happens If You Bluff?
If you claim to have a matching card without actually having it, and you get challenged, you must drink double the penalty. If you show the correct card and the challenger is wrong, the challenger drinks double. Trust no one.
Beeramid Rules Variations for Even Wilder Parties
Double Trouble Rule (Double Drinks)
If you hold two cards that match the one flipped, you can double the number of drinks on a target. Feeling extra spicy? Triple it if you hold three matching cards (you monster).
Reverse Pyramid (Starting with One Card at Bottom)
Flip Beeramid on its head: start with a single card at the bottom and build upwards. The further you climb, the deadlier it gets. By the time you’re at the top, players will be begging for mercy.
Time Bomb Rule (Drink Before Timer Ends)
After flipping a card, set a 10-second timer. The nominated drinker must finish their assigned drinks before the alarm goes off. Fail, and you owe an extra drink plus a humiliating dare from the group.
King’s Curse Rule
Designate a random card rank (e.g., Kings) as “cursed” before starting. If a cursed card is flipped, everyone must drink and shout a pre-decided phrase like “All Hail the Beeramid!” Last person to shout drinks twice.
Pyramid Collapse Rule
Before each game starts, assign a “Collapse Card” (secretly written on a slip of paper). If that specific card appears during the game, every player must chug for 10 seconds. No excuses. Think of it like sudden pyramid destruction.
The Wizard’s Bluff
Add a magical twist: designate one player as the “Beer Wizard.” Once per game, the Wizard can lie about a match even if they don’t have the card. If caught, the Wizard drinks double. If they get away with it, they assign a drink to everyone else.
Truth or Drink
If you match a card, instead of just assigning a drink, you can offer the chosen victim a choice: answer a spicy truth question or take double the drinks. Keeps the game messy in more ways than one.
Musical Shots
Every time a face card (Jack, Queen, King) is flipped, blast a random party song for 20 seconds. Everyone must dance. Last person to start dancing has to take an extra shot or big gulp.
Buddy System
Pair up players randomly. If one buddy has to drink, so does their partner. If a buddy gets called on a bluff, both drink triple. It’s friendship — but the kind that sinks ships.
Hilarious Punishments for Losers of Beeramid
Winning is fun, but watching someone lose spectacularly? Even better. If you really want your Beeramid night to be talked about for years (and maybe whispered about in shame), sprinkle in these funny punishments:
Costume of Shame
The loser must wear a ridiculous costume — think banana suit, tiara and sash reading “Beer Queen,” or a giant hot dog costume — for the rest of the night. Bonus points if you post selfies to their story without explanation.
Karaoke Roulette
Spin a random song generator and force the loser to belt it out immediately, no practice, no dignity. Watching someone massacre “Bohemian Rhapsody” is pure, distilled joy.
Social Media Dare
Loser must post an embarrassing Facebook or Instagram status like “I just realized I love Nickelback and I’m proud of it.”
Forbidden Word Penalty
Assign a forbidden word (like “drink,” “beer,” or “pyramid”). Every time the loser accidentally says it during the next round, they have to chug or do a shot.
Human Table Rule
The loser becomes the human table until the next match is called. Yes, that means they have to sit on the floor and hold other players’ drinks. Dignity not included.
Secret Dare Jar
Before the game starts, everyone writes one embarrassing dare on a slip of paper and throws it into a jar. The loser must draw and complete a dare, no backsies.
Pro Tip: Make sure all punishments are fun, not cruel. You want hilarious memories, not awkward apologies the next day.
Best Beer (or Drink) Pairings for Beeramid Nights
Beeramid can go from zero to “what happened last night?” real fast. Choosing the right drinks is like picking the right tires for a race: critical to whether you cruise to victory or spin out in the first 10 minutes.
Light and Session Beers for Long Games
If you want to actually finish the game without waking up under your own coffee table, stick with light beers or session ales. Look for something around 4–5% ABV. Top picks:
- Coors Light — basically adult hydration.
- Pabst Blue Ribbon — budget-friendly and built for quantity over quality.
- All Day IPA by Founders — craft lovers, rejoice, you can drink without blacking out before round two.
Higher-ABV Beers for the Brave (or Foolish)
For those seeking a more “express lane to regret” vibe, heavy-hitters like Belgian tripels or imperial stouts will get you there. Caution: Beeramid will speed-run your evening with these.
- Chimay Blue — rich, delicious, and will absolutely end you.
- Goose Island Bourbon County Stout — basically a fancy knockout punch.
Fun Alternatives to Beer
- Beermosas (half beer, half orange juice): brunchy and deceptively dangerous.
- Hard Seltzers: light, trendy, and way too easy to shotgun.
- Jungle Juice: not for the faint-hearted. One round of Beeramid with this and you’ll be seeing double pyramids.
Pro Tip: Mix it up with non-alcoholic beers or water rounds if people are getting too rowdy too fast. No one wins if your pyramid ends up floating in a lake.
What’s the difference between Beeramid and Pyramid Drinking Game?
While Beeramid and the Pyramid Drinking Game are almost identical in structure (both involve building a pyramid of cards and assigning drinks based on matches), there are slight differences in vibe and variations.
- Beeramid typically leans more casual and chaotic, with looser house rules and a heavy focus on bluffing and fast drinking.
- Pyramid Drinking Game (popularized in student circles) emphasizes memory, bluffing strategy, and includes creative variants like the “Diamond of Death,” “Memory Pyramid,” and “Ride the Bus.” These add extra complexity and punishment layers, making it a bit more strategic and wild compared to standard Beeramid.
In short:
- Beeramid = pure party chaos.
- Pyramid Drinking Game = strategy + chaos + memory challenges.
Both are guaranteed to get laughs — but if you want a smarter, meaner game, Pyramid’s your move.
Final Thoughts: Beeramid, the Crown Jewel of Drinking Games
Beeramid is proof that you don’t need fancy equipment or complicated rules to create a night full of laughter, surprises, and yes, the occasional embarrassing moment. All you need is a deck of cards, some cold drinks, and a group of friends willing to bluff, call, and drink their way to glory. Just remember to drink responsibly and maybe hide your phone if you don’t want tomorrow’s group chat to be too incriminating.
FAQs about Beeramid Drinking Game
How many players do you need for Beeramid?
Beeramid works best with 4 to 8 players, but it can flex up or down. If you have a smaller group, just build a smaller pyramid. With a larger group (10+), consider using two decks and building a mega pyramid for maximum chaos.
How long does a game of Beeramid last?
Depending on how many players and how fast people are drinking, a typical Beeramid game can last 30 minutes to an hour. Want it quicker? Shrink the pyramid. Want to make it last? Throw in wild house rules or extra dares between rounds.
Can you play Beeramid with shots instead of beer?
You can… but proceed with caution. If you use shots (especially liquor), modify the rules to fewer drinks per penalty — otherwise, you’ll be calling it a night around row two.
What happens if you run out of cards?
If you deal out all the cards to players and still need more to flip, just reshuffle the discard pile and keep the party rolling. Running out of cards is just Beeramid’s way of telling you you’re doing it right.
Is Beeramid suitable for non-alcoholic play?
Definitely. Swap beer for soda, juice, mocktails, or even water if you want a dry run. The bluffing, calling out, and social strategy are still hilarious — plus, you’ll remember the entire game the next day.
Can you customize the pyramid size?
Yes — and you should.
– Short pyramid (4 rows) = faster games, lighter drinking.
– Tall pyramid (6–7 rows) = epic marathons and heavier drinking.
Adjust based on your group’s stamina (or lack thereof).
What’s the best way to deal cards fairly?
Deal four cards to each player at the start. If you have leftover cards, shuffle them back into a spare pile. Optionally, let people trade a card once at the start to add an extra layer of strategy and trash talk.
Can Beeramid be combined with other drinking games?
Beeramid + Flip Cup = chaotic brilliance.
Beeramid + Kings Cup rules = guaranteed carnage.
Mix and match if you want your party to end with someone asleep in a bathtub.
What’s a common mistake beginners make?
– Forgetting to call bluffs: Letting someone lie unchecked is a rookie move.
– Holding your matches too long: If you never use them, you risk getting stuck with them when nobody cares anymore.
– Drinking too much too fast: Beeramid is a marathon, not a sprint. Pacing yourself = not being “that guy” who passes out on row three.