Chicago/South Loop tasting group

Also, I think we should have a no guest policy. I know on page 2, it asks how many people are you bringing. I think everyone should be required to RSVP on the spreadsheet. If you're not on there and show up with some great beers, okay. But we can't just let every jamoke in the door because they brought a 3 Floyds beer they bought at Binny's last week

 

Haha, I appreciate you being blunt. I was trying to indirectly infer that. It's one thing if that is your best bottle...but it's another if you just want to try some of the beers on the list and not willing to put anything worth while on the chopping block. The range in quality is definitely skewed. Cheers Dan.

 

Now the hype train has taken off, it's been nearly impossible to find...especially with everyone searching for it. But on the other end, I felt it was similar (if not better) than vanilla rye. 4 Hands definitely hit to cover off the ball on that beer.

 

@Canada_Dan and @AndyEdgar, those guys are my twin brother and co-worker. I'll get some updated bottles in there no problem. Definitely not moochers, but I see how it can look that way. And no offense taken, thank you for calling it out!

 

Alright, spreadsheet updated. They aren't top 250 but they are outside of the midwest distro and I assume they are good beers, but I have never had them. Either way, I will be bringing some other beers and will cover for them if need be. Back on track?

 

Ick. Can we not be beer snobs?

When I started out doing tastings, I had no ammo and tried to do what I could, but I largely got by on the kindness of strangers. I wasn't made to feel shitty, because people brought the beer they did to be shared, not because they were expecting a white whale in return. I totally understand the call for variety and the desire to not feel like you're being taken advantage of, but calling someone out for 'only' bringing two very good barleywines is pretty rude and goshe when there are 1 or 2 oz pours on the line.

I totally get that you want to make the first tasting especially special but that's my .02. I don't mean to put anyone on blast.

 

Dude I get. Didn't mean to make anyone feel shitty. We are trying to set up a good group for future bottle shares and being the asshole of the group before we even meet was pretty far from my intentions with that comment. None of us really know each other yet and I totally feel you the with kindness of strangers comment. I hope that is the prevailing attitude that allows this group to grow over time.

This started as a way to share things we couldn't drink ourselves or our friends didn't appreciate enough to justify opening. To meet kindred folk and have fun was the goal. What the innaugural event became through discussion and presumed like-mindedness was a jugernaut of a bottle share at an awesome locations featuring some really great, highly acclaimed and rare beers. White Whales. It's stupid. It's nerdy. Maybe it beer snobish. But that's what we decided.

I made my comment from reading the tea leaves and subsequent comments from others attending confirmed my notion. There's no rule saying that only bringing two "very good" beers is insufficient but the outliers were blatant. I appreciate your .02 but don't confuse my being blunt with a lack of empathy. Beer karma is real man.

 

I think we all have great intensions. I personally cannot wait for the 7th to meet everyone for the first time. I talked to Flav yesterday and he was wondering what type of snacks would be good to have around. I told him you can't go wrong with pretzels, but are there other staples (other than water) that we should have around for everyone?

 

I don't think he was trying to be a dick. We said upfront that it was suppose to be a "white whale" share. That doesn't mean every share subsequent to that will be the same. If those are your "white whales" I'm nervous to see what the regular share would be. No, but all joking aside I did have similar feelings to Dan. I share all my good beer and yes it'd be nice to have others do the same. I suppose the title had much to do with the confusion. Maybe someone's "whale" is a wootstout. But again, no one knows anyone on here. If I see someone is bringing a nutulhu, Fou etc... I would try hard to bring something in that range. There are a ton of great people in the beer game and I'm happy to share whatever beer I have. If that is your best bottle, then cheers! It'll be a good time regardless.

 

Always enjoy a nice cheese pairing. I could stop at Mariano's on the way and grab something. We could aim to have a few different types and some crackers maybe?

 

@Canada_Dan, great point! We will take care of that all. If you have any specific requests, let me know.

 

Getting excited for this, coming from the suburbs on the train to be responsible and not drive will be annoying but it is what it is.

 

I'm bringing a couple extra bottles I'm not listing on the spreadsheet because I need opinions. We've all seen the forums arguing for and against waxing bottles, that it helps age bottles, that it's just for looks. I waxed a bottle of KBS and a bottle of Black Note as soon as they were released last year. Gonna bring a bottle waxed and unwaxed of each, we can make our judgements whether or not waxing helped.

 

@kveton09 Whoa, is W00tstout that bad?!? I didn't think I was gonna be an example. I can definitely bring something else that's on the Top 250 list if no one wants to try it. I just thought it was pretty rare because I've never seen it here. Rating vs. Rarity? Let me know because I can at least bring a Firestone Walker release from the Top 250, even though we all have chances to buy them here.

 

Regular Speedway Stout is also something I can bring instead. A little side by side with the Vietnamese?

 

plus I'm pretty sure the 2.0 didn't distribute out of CA.

 

I don't mind that. I'll bring a W00tsout original and we can compare.

 

Ok cool, I just didn't wanna be that guy that brought something considered weak by the share's standards. I haven't had the W00tstout original, so that would be awesome to try!

 

Shit no man, I'm totally cool with you bringing that bottle. I wasn't trying to call you out. I apologize if it appeared that way. I'm cool with whatever you bring brother.