Beer Tasting groups in Columbus

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by ndp7311, Jan 21, 2013.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. ndp7311

    ndp7311 Initiate (0) Oct 6, 2009 Ohio

    Hello,

    I am very interested in joining a beer tasting group in Columbus. Where can I find the info or a person to contact about that?

    Thanks
     
  2. Josie614

    Josie614 Initiate (0) Jan 22, 2013 Ohio

    curious about this also- i end up with a ton of big bottles of out of market stuff that i'd like to share.
     
  3. bluejacket74

    bluejacket74 Grand Pooh-Bah (5,305) Jul 4, 2005 Ohio
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    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.
     
  4. Bonis

    Bonis Initiate (0) Jul 28, 2010 Ohio

    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.
     
  5. Josie614

    Josie614 Initiate (0) Jan 22, 2013 Ohio

    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 :slight_smile:
     
  6. Keffa

    Keffa Initiate (0) Jan 8, 2009 Ohio

    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 :stuck_out_tongue:
     
  7. Bogforce

    Bogforce Initiate (0) Sep 2, 2010 Ohio

    I would like to do a small tasting soon. My fridge is getting too full.
     
    gpawned likes this.
  8. itsthepleats

    itsthepleats Initiate (0) Mar 19, 2012 Ohio

    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!
     
  9. brewtus

    brewtus Initiate (0) Dec 29, 2012 Ohio

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

    gpawned Initiate (0) Jun 5, 2012 Illinois

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

    rebeccakelley Initiate (0) Jan 23, 2013

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

    gpawned Initiate (0) Jun 5, 2012 Illinois

    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?
     
  13. masterofsparks

    masterofsparks Initiate (0) Nov 15, 2009 Ohio

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

    ouits Initiate (0) Jul 24, 2012 Ohio

    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.
     
  15. matt2591

    matt2591 Initiate (0) Aug 8, 2010 Ohio

    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.
     
  16. Bonis

    Bonis Initiate (0) Jul 28, 2010 Ohio

    It's a relief to know I'm not the only one with this problem... Of all hobbies, I decided to collect beer.
     
    gpawned likes this.
  17. Spider889

    Spider889 Pooh-Bah (1,933) Mar 24, 2010 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah

    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! :wink:

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

    gpawned Initiate (0) Jun 5, 2012 Illinois

    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.
     
  19. rebeccakelley

    rebeccakelley Initiate (0) Jan 23, 2013

    I am definitely in!
     
  20. owen49

    owen49 Devotee (362) Jun 13, 2009 Ohio
    Trader

    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.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.