Adults headed back to school face a variety of challenges. Non-traditional students in undergraduate settings may be frustrated by younger students while new grad students may be overwhelmed by the expectations.

Both groups can celebrate the start of the new journey with a back-to-school party for grownups. A beer bash is a fun way for adults to celebrate school and there are ways to make the party more upscale.

Forget the keg and red plastic cups, here are five ways to throw a more mature back-to-school beer bash:

1. Use proper glassware

Plastic cups are used in college drinking games that involve ping pong balls or quarters. Avoid the immature association by serving beer in inexpensive pilsner glasses. The Giant Pub Beer Pilsner Set from Libbey has dishwasher-safe glasses, made in the U.S. The glasses have a traditional pilsner shape and measure more than 10 inches tall which means they can hold 22 ounces which is almost two beer servings. $15.99 for a set of six, available at www.Libbey.com.

2. Serve home brewed craft beer

College parties typically serve cheap, unsavory beer. Students guzzle large quantities and suffer serious headaches the following morning. Give guests a delicious beer that can be sipped slowly. Hosts can serve home-brewed craft beer with the Mr. Beer Premium kit. The kit includes a two-gallon fermenter, brewing book, bottling system and refill. Hosts should plan ahead, brewing two gallons takes about 14 days. $49.95 at www.Mr.Beer.com.

3. Set out mature munchies

College kids rarely serve food at parties. The best a guest can expect is a bag of cheese puffs or tortilla chips. Hosts can set out mature munchies that compliment beer such as gourmet nuts, crackers, spreads and cheeses. The Cubist Appetizer Serving Set is a wooden tray that holds four glass dishes. The glass dishes fit around a center cup meant to hold toothpicks. The tray measures nine inches by nine inches. $69.95 at www.RedEnvelope.com

4. Send invites

Word of mouth is how college kids invite party guests, often with the request to "bring friends." Give a beer bash a more organized, formal feel with proper invitations. The Beers and Cheers Invitation is a double sided illustrated invite featuring a charming blue beer bucket. Printed on 110 pound premium cardstock with matte finish.