Chicago/South Loop tasting group

I'm in for starting a group up!

 

I am in as well. I live in University Village and might have a place that will allow us to share...

 

My schedule is tight as hell for the next year but I'm interested

 

I'd be down. I've seen other bottle shares where everyone puts what they're bringing on an excel sheet. People usually show up with extras/surprises too but that's a good way to get an idea of what to expect and also prevent people from mooching. Let's make it happen

 

I'm in.

 

I may be interested depending on my own schedule. I'm in Logan Square

 

To comment and @AndyEdgar's last question about what level of beers we want to open. My preference is to finally be able to open some of the more special stuff i've got in the cellar. I typically don't get a chance to do so for the very reason this thread was started...I bring a whale and end up at a share with 5 other people who bring a bottle from our existing distribution area. I'm not against opening great beer that's in-distro or easy to find, but I'd like to use a group like this to share more of what's happening in the craft beer in different parts of the country/planet.

 

@AndyEdgar and @JNL, I agree. I have beers from out of distro and either don't want to take them down myself (750mL of Chocolate Rain is not a good idea) or can't always get friends to bring beers at the same level. I am trying to figure out the logistics of hosting a semi-regular tasting like this. I know there are a few factors and I am trying to figure out the follow:

1. Number of people that will likely attend
2. The day of the week that most people can make it
3. What time it should start
4. How long it should be
5. Should there be food
6. How frequently it should be held
7. Does there need to be a theme for the tasting or is it whatever

Please chime in if you have any ideas or have organized one before...

 

Also, I am starting a spreadsheet with a list of what people are willing to bring. That might get people excited and more willing to participate when they can see what will be there. Use this link to request access:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1mHBzhYSBQj8vtvUuL47hF-OuWmrz7XFDzvYAYUCwf6I/edit?usp=sharing

 

I'd potentially be in for this.
My schedule is a little sporadic and I cant offer up my place as a meeting spot, but I have a lot of nice beers I would love to share.

Im on the north side, in Andersonville, but I can pretty easily make my way down to the south loop.

 

@Jordy777 This looks like it'd be right up by you.

 

I'd be down as well. I live in Naperville, but I can take the train up whenever.

 

I am in Logan Square and would be interested in joining some people! I have barleywines, belgian darks, stouts, etc.!

 

Totally agree here. I have been saving a lot of nice stuff that most of my friends won't appreciate and the last thing I want to do is drop a what and have my buddies bring a growler from Half Acre and a shelf bottle of Pipeworks... I am in Holland right now and was planning on bringing back some Cantillon, 3F and other rarities I can get my hands on. Would love to share those with the group!

I am in Andersonville like @Farnswurth and would be glad to offer up my place, albeit small, if we ever want to switch up the location. Probably would fit 8-10 people max but I have a kegerator that I could stock with something lighter to provide a nice respite from the big brews at hand. Just a thought.

I like the idea of Sunday but would also be game for weeknights if we can get started early enough (b/t 6-7). Snacks are always nice but not necessary. I think how frequently we do it will depend on how often we can get enough of the group together. Once a month may be over-ambitious. I too like the idea of themed get togethers.

Cool beans. Looking forward to the inaugural event. Now we need a more creative name for the group!

 

^^
What these guys said.
I have a number of things in my cellar that I cant or don't want to dome myself, but that are also not things my friends would enjoy or appreciate.
That being said, I wouldn't expect or want a monthly tasting of white whales. I don't think my cellar could support that.
But maybe getting some themed nights with out of state or hard to come by beers, and the occasional whale thrown in would be fun.


Like I said before, my work schedule is a little sporadic, but if we can set a date a few weeks in advance, I can make sure I'm free. It wouldn't matter to me what day of the week, so long as I have enough notice.

Short walk home after a night of drinking great beers?!? That sounds sweet to me! HA

Would a BYOB place work out? If its on a slow night at a cheap place they may not care if we are there for a few hours. We might even bring them more business than they normally get.

 

Hey everyone, I'm in Ukrainian Village/Wicker Park and I'd be game for a once a month bottle share. I don't know about whales but I do ok. I get a lot of Northern California beers since I'm from there just here for school. My schedule as a grad student can sometimes be erratic as far as meetings and presentations, but I'm sure it's the same for everyone. Oh, I was invited by Nick M. from The Beer Exchange. One of my more lofty goals this year was to attempt tto complete BA top 250.

 

@AndyEdgar and @JNL it looks like there is definitely interest. And it sounds like the location will be determined by the amount of people in attendance as @Canada_Dan can host up to 10 people and we want to respect that. Just in terms of posts here we have 13 people as of now. I know that everyone won't be able to make it every time, but at least in the beginning I'd prefer to not make this feel like a closed group.

Let me see capacity at the venue that I am looking into and get back to everyone.

@Farnswurth, when will you be back from Holland?