Online Beer Tastings - Idea Submission Thread (2016 - 2021)

Below is the updated list of BA Online tastings through 2020. Opening the tastings up from the historical one day window to a 3-4 day long weekend format helped significantly increase participation. I enjoyed hosting the BCBS tasting, and would do so again at the same time if there is interest in holding, and/or one other style.

2020 Highlights

• With the 2020 expansion into the long weekend format, Pilsner is the new all time style leader with 475 replies.
  
• There were seven separate 2020 tastings (2017 the record holder with eight) covering a record 18 days. Hopefully we can beat that mark in 2021.

Planning 2021 & Beyond

• First Tasting will be Barleywine over a three day weekend (TBD within the next four weeks).
• Popular beer styles without a tasting over the first six years include:
  • Brown Ales
  • Dark Lagers
  • Fruit and Field
  • IPAs (American, Belgian, Black, English, Imperial and/or New England)
  • Lagers
  • Non Alcohol (Perhaps a good "dry" January 2022 tasting opportunity)
    
  • Pale Ales
  • Porters
  • Quadruples
  • Rye
  • Scotch Ales
  • Sours
  • Stouts (Irish Dry & BCBS sub styles attempted to date)
  • Strong Ales
  • Wheat Beers
  • Wild Ales
  • Other considerations could include individual beers
  • BA Top Rated Beers (Top 250, Trending Beers, Top 250 New Beers, Beer Hall of Fame, Popular Beers)

Previously Completed Beer Advocate Online Tasting Events (2015-2020):

2020
Holiday Beers (December 18-20) @FBarber (254 Replies)
Bourbon County Brand Stout (November 26-29) @ChicagoJ (271)
Lambic (October 30 - November 1) @ChicagoJ (108)
Oktoberfest II (September 19-20) @TongoRad (421)
West Coast IPA (August 7-8) @FBarber (339)
Pilsner (May 29-30) @FBarber (475)
Saison (April 3-4) @FBarber (256)

2019
Bock, Doppelbock, Weizenbock, Dunkelweizen (November 30) @FBarber (252)
Belgian Dubbel (June 15) @zid (214)
Beers You Inexplicably Haven't Had (February 2) @FBarber (66)

2018
Pumpkin (October 20) @FBarber (128)
Irish Dry Stout (March 24) @Riff (212)

2017
Belgian Christmas Ale (December 16) @Scott17Taylor (84)
Oktoberfest (September 23) @Scott17Taylor (127)
Berliner Weisse (July 8) @Scott17Taylor (102)
American Adjunct Lagers (June 3) @TongoRad (221)
Maibock (April 8) @Harrison8 (256)
Barleywine (March 4) @Scott17Taylor (277)
Dopplebock (February 4) @Harrison8 (208)
Ten FIDY (January 7) @Scott17Taylor (198)

2016
Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier (May 7) @Urk1127 (56)
Ayinger Celebrator (April 2) @BrewsingBuffalo (74)
Orval II (March 26) @dcotom (52)
Bigfoot (March 12) @Scott17Taylor (208)

2015
Delirium Noel (December 18) @SammyJaxxxx (260)
The Abyss 2014 (November 15) @JayWhitson (119)
Orval (September 20) @Todd (49)
St. Bernardus Abt 12 (July 19) @ThisWangsChung (301)

 

Well, I do have a photo someplace I took of a cheesecake flavored seltzer. Non Alcohol but still sounds gross. This was from 5-6 years ago. I take photos of odd/gross foods in the market.

Enjoy

 

I would love to see a WCIPA tasting this year. I would head that shit up in a minute.

 

That one happened not too long ago. That’s the one that made me discover these online tastings.

 

I saw the ipas listed we haven't done and assumed west coast was in there. I'd do NEIPA as well. Tons of locals available to me and everyone else I'm sure.

 

Okay. I was worried some might have been getting antsy, since nothing had been said, but it seems like most everyone is open to doing this in February, which is awesome. As some have pointed out, some are participating in "Dry January", and I'd like to give them a chance to also join this tasting, so why don't we aim for Friday, the 5th of February? I also want everyone to have enough time to scout out some bottles if you don't happen to hace any on-hand. I'd much rather push this back so everyone can prepare. How does that sound?

 

So, here's the rough outline - Feel free to lend any suggestions.

Barleywine Tasting - Friday, 05.2.21 through Sunday, 07.2.21 - Starting 12pm EST.

What to bring:

Anything labeled as barleywine, wheatwine, ryewine, or ricewine. Barrel-aged, non barrel-aged, "adjuncts", no "adjuncts", vintage, new, cans, bottles, shelfies, or whalez - all welcome.

Water. You're marathoning multiple 10% + high octane beers here. Stay hydrated. Stay healthy.

Camera. If you're able to, share a photo of your malt monsters!

Thoughts. Not everyone is an avid reviewer, and that's perfectly fine. However, I encourage everyone to dive into their ales, and try to share a short review or summation. Full reviews are absolutely welcome, but not necessary. Tell us what you think of the ale - the appearance, the aroma, tasting notes, the mouthfeel, etc... We'd love to hear your thoughts!

A Good Attitude - This is a fun, laid-back event where we sit down and share some beers in a virtual setting. Be respectful and kind to each other, just as if you were face-to-face. Dialogue and conversation is encouraged, just keep it fun

An Open Mind - Consider cracking open that rare bottle you've been holding onto, or that vintage release that has the clock ticking on it. This is a great excuse to open a bottle you've been saving!


Ladies and gentlemen, get your barleywines ready. Let's kick 2021 off right!

 

I'm 100% in. I was having a terrible time finding an NA barleywine, but now I don't have to...

 

Just wait till this tasting. It'll be 1976 by the time we're done!

 

I'm only waiting for the final and official date.
Honestly, I don't know if I will find the courage to open bottles of super quality barley wine that are no longer produced (of which, in any case, I will send you photos), but I have quality stuff that I am keeping for the occasion ...

 

A two month long barleywine tasting?
I was hoping for 2/5/21-2/7/21, but at least this will give me a few months to stock up

Seriously though, starting on Friday makes sense considering ABV and drinking style.

 

I am definitely in. It'll be a fun adventure seeing what barleywines are available locally

 

How many people here are also attending EBF and find that this weekend may prevent them from participating?