Beersbee Rules: How to Play Bottle Bash
Beersbee rules are Bottle Bash rules under another backyard name. The same game is also called polish horseshoes, frisknock, and frisbee horseshoes. Two teams stand at opposite poles with a bottle or can balanced on top of each, then take turns throwing a flying disc to knock the other target loose. The defenders have to catch both the bottle and the disc before they land, so every throw creates an attack and a save. Here is how to set the poles, throw safely, defend, and keep score.
- 4 (teams of 2) PLAYERS
- AGES 12+
- 5 min SETUP
- About 20 to 40 ft between poles
What you need
- Two poles, usually ski-pole-style stakes, pushed into the ground (sets include these)
- Two bottles or empty cans to balance on top of the poles as targets
- One flying disc (frisbee)
- Four players split into two teams of two
- An open, flat area about 20 to 40 ft long with nothing breakable nearby
How to play beersbee
- Set up the two polesPush the two poles into the ground directly across from each other, roughly 20 to 40 ft apart. A common starting distance is about 20 ft, but tune it to your space and skill. Balance an empty bottle or can on top of each pole.
- Split into teams and pick sidesMake two teams of two. Each team takes one pole and defends it. The two teammates stand on either side of their own pole, ready to catch. Decide who throws first with a quick disc flip or coin toss.
- Throw to knock down the bottle or poleOn your turn, throw the disc at the other team's pole, trying to knock the bottle off or hit the pole itself. Throws have to stay above a certain height (often knee or waist level) to count, which keeps people from rifling it dangerously low. Teammates alternate throws.
- Defend by catching everythingThe defending team tries to catch the incoming disc and, if it gets knocked off, the falling bottle before either touches the ground. Catching saves you points. Dropping a catchable disc or letting the bottle hit the dirt costs you.
- Score the playTally points based on what got hit, what got caught, and what got dropped (full breakdown in the scoring section). Then the defending team becomes the throwing team for the next round.
- Play to the target scoreTeams trade throwing and defending each round, adding up points. The first team to reach the agreed target, commonly 11, 15, or 21, wins. Many groups play win-by-two.
Scoring
- Pole hit, bottle stays on: usually 1 point to the throwing team if the defenders fail to catch the disc
- Bottle knocked off the pole and not caught before it lands: 2 points to the throwing team (some groups score 3)
- Disc thrown but the defenders cleanly catch it (and the bottle if it fell): no points for the thrower
- Defenders drop a catchable disc: the throwing team scores even on a miss in many house rules, so always set this first
- Knee or waist-height rule: throws below the agreed height do not count as scoring throws
- First team to the target score (commonly 11, 15, or 21) wins, often win-by-two
Beersbee court size & dimensions
Bottle Bash, also called Polish horseshoes, sets two poles about 20 feet apart, each topped with a bottle. Here is the layout to scale, with the pole height and how teams line up.
| Pole distance | About 20 ft apart (common); step back to 30 or 40 ft as players get better |
|---|---|
| Pole height | Roughly 4 ft tall, with a few inches anchored in the ground |
| Bottle | An empty bottle balanced on top of each pole, knocked off for points |
| Disc | One flying disc; teams alternate throwing and defending their bottle |
| Players | 4 (2 vs 2); a team stands by each pole |
There is no single official distance, so pick a gap and keep it. Twenty feet suits a casual game; serious players slide out to 30 or 40 feet for a harder throw and catch.
Fun variations
- Polish horseshoes (classic): the standard version above. Knock the bottle off the other team's pole and out-catch your opponents. The name everyone's grandpa used.
- Beersbee height rule: enforce a strict waist-high minimum on every throw to keep it safe and fair, and replay any throw that comes in too low.
- Win-by-two: instead of a hard stop at the target, you must win by two points, which drags out the endgame and rewards a hot streak.
- Long-pole challenge: stretch the poles out to 40 ft or more once your group is dialed in. Far fewer knockdowns, way more dramatic catches.
Beersbee rules FAQ
Is beersbee the same as Bottle Bash and polish horseshoes?
Yes. Beersbee, Bottle Bash, polish horseshoes, frisknock, and frisbee horseshoes all describe the same core game: throw a flying disc to knock a bottle off a pole while the other team tries to catch the disc and the falling target. The scoring details can change by house.
How far apart should the poles be in Bottle Bash?
Most groups set the poles 20 to 40 ft apart, with about 20 ft being a comfortable starting distance. There is no official regulation, so adjust for your space and skill. Move the poles closer for kids and farther apart as everyone's aim improves.
How do you score in polish horseshoes?
You earn points by knocking the bottle off the other team's pole or hitting the pole when the defenders fail to catch the disc. A knocked-off bottle that lands is typically worth more than a pole hit. Dropping a catchable disc usually gives the throwing team points too, so agree on the exact values before you start. First to 11, 15, or 21 wins.
Do you have to catch the bottle and the frisbee?
Yes, that is the heart of the game. The defending team has to catch the thrown disc and, if it gets knocked off, the falling bottle before either hits the ground. Clean catches stop the throwing team from scoring, while drops hand them points.
Why is it called polish horseshoes?
The name is old backyard slang and the origin is murky, but the 'horseshoes' part comes from the fact that you pitch toward a pole like in horseshoes, just with a frisbee and a bottle instead of a metal shoe and a stake. The game itself has no official governing body, which is part of why it has so many names.
Is Bottle Bash a drinking game?
It is most often played by adults at tailgates and cookouts, and the bottle on the pole is sometimes a drink, which is where names like beersbee come from. But the game stands entirely on its own as a skill game of throwing and catching. You can absolutely play it sober with empty bottles or cans, and it is just as fun.
Ready to play?
Grab a set and start your league this weekend. We ranked the best beersbee sets for every budget.