Beer Tasting groups in Columbus

curious about this also- i end up with a ton of big bottles of out of market stuff that i'd like to share.

 

In the past there have been several tastings set up by and for local Columbus area BA's, usually when someone thinks about doing one they usually post it on here. I'm not sure if there are any formal tasting groups, though.

 

Yea there hasn't been a tasting for quite some time if I can remember correctly. I am pretty sure there are some craft drinking cliques around that get together every now and then. I think most people are turned off by the mass tastings, they just got to be too big. Plus people don't want to share their 375 ML $30 sours with everyone and their brother (can't say I disagree). I would be interested in a group if I didn't spend most of my weekends homebrewing.

Anyway, maybe someone will take initiative and get a tasting planned in the next month or 2 (it won't be me, haha).. I also have a few bottles of out of market stuff that I will need help consuming. I know they previously have had tastings at From the Vine, but I don't know the status of that store. Apparently it has a new name (Aficionado's) and I am guessing new owners (?), and word is it will be more craft beer focused.

 

I would be happy to just have a meet up with 5-6 people and go from there- it doesn't have to be huge. But it's difficult for me to drink bombers on my own

 

Indeed, there are several of us that do meet from time to time. I've offered to hold a tasting at my house, but most people don't like the idea of driving to Zanesville to do so.

With my current schedules of 2 jobs, full time school, and a baby on the way, I've got a pretty full plate, but I will still be down for a tasting if someone wants to set something up, if my schedule allows me to do so. I hate drinking big bottles by myself, which is why I still have most of the big bottles in my fridge

 

I would like to do a small tasting soon. My fridge is getting too full.

 

Count me in to bring some high gravity bombers! Missed the last couple tastings. With my schedule I'll be an attendee (not a host) but am game for something large (posted here) or something small (via BMs). Cheers!

 

It would be great if someone worked at a restaurant and we could bring bombers in to a private room

 

I'm in Athens but I'd be down for tastings in cbus as well.

 

I just moved back to the Columbus area from NYC, and would love to join a tasting group if it existed.

 

Well, tasting groups likely exist in the area...but if people here want to join one, they may want to consider creating their own. Seems to be plenty of interest.

I have a lot of beer I'm dying to share.

Anyone volunteering their home or have a suggestion of where to have the first gathering?

 

I'm in Columbus. Count me in if this happens.

 

I'm in Columbus and am interested in this. I usually go to the Thurs/Friday tastings at Blacklick Wine & Spirits but would prefer a smaller(ish) group with some different beers.

 

There is a group of us in Powell/Lewis Center. We run anywhere from 6-12 deep when doing a tasting. Most of us always go to the Thursday night tastings at Ale Wine and Spirits in Powell. We actually do quite a bit of tastings. Whether they are planned or random cellar clearings we do at least 2 a month, sometimes more. We also have a ton of out of market stuff that we share. Vacations are Beercations in this group.

 

It's a relief to know I'm not the only one with this problem... Of all hobbies, I decided to collect beer.

 

The forums have been fairly barren as far as Columbus tastings lately. We used to do a large one every other month-ish plus smaller more impromptu stuff more frequently with a semi-interchangeable group of 12-20 people who typically tried to show up at these things.

My best advice (coming from someone who pushed the ball to get it rolling several times) is to take the reigns and try to set one up. If you have an available location that makes organizing something much easier, too. From the looks of it you wouldn't have a hard time rounding out whatever size of tasting you prefer.

Frankly from what I know about others and tend to do now myself, many tastings seem to be more informal and/or organized privately lately. As has been mentioned, the large tastings we did often wound up being frustrating/chaotic - when 15 people are trying to sample a 12oz or even 750ml it gets tough to measure out the right portion so the 15th person still gets some - even tougher if you want to avoid dumping mostly yeast in their glass. Some will pour themselves 6oz early on without thinking, and some will barely get to try their personal whale they sat on for years. Hell, more than once I saw the owner of a bottle never even get to try their own beer.

Don't get me wrong, we always had a great time, but the bigger they got the more work, stress, and just plain spread-out it all became. My advice - try to keep it relatively small or make simple rules like "bring duplicates" or "growlers only" if you want to keep a throng of beer nerds all happy!

In short, I don't know any regularly meeting groups out there but there are plenty of willing participants...

 

I have been compiling a list of Ohio BAs that are interested in such tastings and have been sending out invites to events over the last couple months to those who might be willing to come to Columbus or Athens for tastings. I will add all of you to that conversation so that everyone who wants to be in the loop can get those updates and post about their own events. If you would like to opt out just say so below or remove yourself from the conversation.

 

I am definitely in!

 

I'd like to be added to the list - especially for any tastings around the Dublin area. I'd love to drink through some of the stuff I've been hoarding.