Austin Based Tasting

I had the CEO stout last month, shit was real good

 

I'll be there tomorrow a little after 5 with a Melange #8 and Rueuze.

 

Game 5 is Sunday...

 

Wish I could make it, but I work Saturday nights. Stupid service industry!

 

I'd like to make it but since it's a heavy ABV kind of evening it probably wouldn't be ideal since I have to be up so early the next morning. I'll try to make the next one though. I'll take that coffee off your hands though

Game 4 isn't worth re-watching.

 

I work at a downtown hotel... I do all the accounting and keep out the riff raff.

There's a farking motorcyle rally going on in my parking lot right now *kill*

 

I'll see if I can make it by for a small drink, it's hard for me to not drink BCBCS. That's probably my favorite beer.

It's Rot Rally, Lutter...what do you expect?

 

I'm Cen-Tx area and interested in shares some. Can't make this...and never really participated in one though been at a more public one at a bar, and did not partake, as I did not bring any.

Question in general for any readers, not just this share:
Reading on shares can yet make the less seasoned BA sometimes feel ...I'll prepared..(except a rude moocher maybe) .. as they seem to not have the same capacity to ante up comparable items. I've read a ton on BA to know many don't care what ya brung(well no BMC), but some will..ahhh geek out. So, what are the expectations in Cen-Tx or is it just per event, which would make sense too? Written/unwritten rule in various threads,is that rare, waelz or out of state beer holders are the invited. Is that the only standard or just a general one? I'm a "when in doubt ask", type.

I would think all the more novice advocates or less big inventory kind would wonder what one could possibly bring to a share where the longer term, seasoned, big trader, inventory variety, Chow-ers, etc are? What does the low budget, non-world exposed, non-shipping trader, not reading every BA post, lover of all things craft beer in Texas bring, that most don't have available at the local bottle shop? (That's a mouthful) Maybe they just don't show until they can ante up or host or something, which is fine too.
Moochers are appropriately despised and nobody wants to feel like they might be one by accident if they show with a great local/regional/state beer that presumably all have or can likely get.
Thanks.

 

Bottle shares will lead you down the path of all those things that you said you aren't.

My first bottle share I brought a Sailing Santa and something equally as pedestrian. I felt like a slacker when people started breaking out all these beers I had only heard about. I felt overwhelmed, but realized there were others at my speed too and people were still drinking our non-fancy beers the same. Nobody cared at all.

After that experience, it made me up my game. I got my hands on some FFF shelf beers. From there it went all downhill. lol

Trading, beer cellars and massive hauls when I go out of town. You'll love it!

 

At most shares, newbies bring food in place of booze for the group... from there you can get up to speed on what's what.

I started by just bringing back beer with me from other states while out of town and eventually got into trading by mail, myself. It is not an inexpensive habit, just warning ya.

Just be generous and people will be generous to you. Start off trading local shelf beers for local out of state brews and work up from there.

 

I like when people bring nice cheese and crackers... I'm a simple man. Bonus points if you can cook something yourself with beer.

I know at the regular tasting at the Draught House vintage, limited or region specific (Dallas only, Houston only) to Texas brews are perfectly acceptable as well, if you have older or hard to find beer in your cellar.

Unwritten rule is 2 bottles minimum or 1 bottle if you've got something super special.

 

Personally I could care less what you bring as long as its not BMC or an old ipa. As Lutter said, snacks or some other type of food is always good especially if it's home made. Many of us are foodies too and always enjoy trying new stuff plus making it yourself shows you put some effort into it. Having said that, I'd be happy with anything you brought home made or not.

Part of the problem with trading is that I often overlook the local stuff because I have so much other damn beer from out of state that I "need" to drink. So there are plenty of good local beers that no one would turn down. There's also the classics that get ignored as well. I can't remember last time I had Chimay Grand Reserve or any of them for that matter.

I think everyone here will agree its more about hanging out, meeting new people, seeing old friends and just having a good time. I would have a good time hanging out with any BA I've ever met not matter what we're drinking. Don't sweat it, just make an effort to contribute something and you'll be fine.

Edit: Again, as Lutter said, cheese and crackers is always awesome and pair well with beer. Anyone who has been to my place can verify that. I usually have 5 or 6 random cheeses I pick up at CM or WF. Some of them I know nothing about, that's part of the fun. Beware though, that can get pricey as well.

 

Tastings....making me more annoying since 2010.

 

Delicious homemade food and snacks are the key to my cellar.

PS if anyone wants to come over and cook me and my girlfriend a 3-4 course meal, I'll open at 3-4 awesome beers to pair with it.

 

Yup, I'm doing something similiar. A local chef and his wife are coming over next month. He's been getting into craft beer over the past year or two. He's doing all the cooking and I'm supplying the beer. I told him to make whatever he wants and I'll have a beer or two to pair with it. I'm sure the night will turn into drunken debauchery but that's how it's starting.