Informal Realbeer.com Beer Tasting in DC

[Katefan00]

OK folks. If there's one thing we can all agree on, it's that beer = happiness. In that vein, it's been proposed that we should all get together and sample some -- an informal DC tasting, if you will. Chazwicke has generously offered to tear loose a hunk of his cellar for the event, and of course the rest of us mere mortals should bring whatever we'd like to contribute. :D

I should be able to reserve us some space at the National Press Club, which is located at 529 14th St NW (just a couple blocks from Metro Center). In order to do that, though, I need to have a count of everybody who wants to come or may come and their name, because I have to have the reservation desk draw up a guest list.

All that remains, then, is to pick a date so I can reserve some space. What are peoples' preferences? Weekends or weeknights? Also, who wants to come?

K.

[chazwicke]

I'll be there. A weeknight would be best for me but I can do a weekend too. I have a graduation or two coming up and beach season is upon us. But I will make time.

[zoom6zoom]

Weekends are better for me since I have to get up at 4AM during the week to go to work (unless I'm on night shift which sucks also). Friday evening or during the day Sat or Sun would be good.

[Chris1stva]

I'm in. In general a weekend is easier, or later in the evening on a weeknight, like 7:00 or later.

Thanks for getting a place for us to gather. I am looking forward to it!

[jmiller]

A weekend works best for me as I live to the west and work in Manassas, however I could do a weeknight if it happened!

[beerisbest]

Awesome. I'd prefer a weeknight -- a Tuesday or Thursday after 6 would be most ideal. But depending on the date, I could do a weekend time also. The NPC is a great location. Thanks for setting it up.

[MeridianFC]

I'd like to do but obviosly it depends on which night. I'd prefer a weeknight but will do whatever as long as I have a pass.

[chazwicke]

Looks like weekend is winning. Anyone else have an opinion?

[Katefan00]

It doesn't really matter to me. I would note though that I believe the Press Club is not open on Sunday, so it would have to be a Saturday visit. (I'll check on this when I call reservations, but I believe that's right.)

K

[TedE]

Giddyup! I could do either, as weekends tend to fill up with plans so it would depend on the date. Weeknights would work fine with me (Tuesday/Thursday normally being the exception, but that varies week-to-week)

[Katefan00]

OK, just to recap:

We've got basically an even split. Three prefer a weeknight, three prefer a weekend, and TedE and myself say either is fine.

Personally, unless we make the gathering rather late (after 7 or 8, say), a weekend will end up being better for me because my work schedule can be so unpredictable. The possible exception is if we scheduled for a Monday or a Friday when Congress tends to do less work.

So, if I set it for a Saturday evening or afternoon, say... how would everybody feel about that? And are there some dates upcoming that are better than others?

K.

[TedE]

Weekends for the rest of May are pretty booked, but I'd be up for a Saturday in June.

[zoom6zoom]

Saturdays pretty open for me for the upcoming future

[beerisbest]

I'm sporadic about Saturdays, especially during the late spring/summer months. But if you set a date, and I'm available I will be there. Otherwise, hopefully there will be another gathering.

[gallowd7]

Sorry I've been absent. Pretty much any day other than Wednesdays are good for me. If it is a Saturday late afternoons are better. If you don't pick the one overnight race day in June, I'll most likely be there!

[chazwicke]

My email has been messed up. I hope to have it fixed today. I have not been getting all the messages. Saturdays for me are filling up too. I can not do the 7th 21st 28th of May nor June 11th. I could possibly squeeze in the 14th of May or June 4th. I could do most weeknights.

[Chris1stva]

My Saturdays are filliing up too. Is a Friday night possible?

[Katefan00]

It's possible, but the bar gets very busy on Friday nights because they have a free taco bar for members -- which could make it more difficult to reserve the room I have in mind. I'll check though. Looks like we're shooting for June at this point. The bar manager is supposed to be getting back with me on availabilities. I'll let you know.

K.

[chazwicke]

Thanks for your continuing efforts!;)

[Chris1stva]

With that in mind, I can change my vote to a weeknight, just so we can get this event going before the summer is over. In general I think Thursday is best, after 7PM.

I would be happy to provide tasting sheets for all to use, and I would suggest that someone bring some sticky badges so we can write down our "code names".

[chazwicke]

I'm game for whenever. You guys decide. I just have a few graduations coming up and Stoudt's Fest. A Thursday would be supreme. That would make it easier and not impinge on my weekend plans.

[Katefan00]

I hate to say this, but Thursdays are among the worst days for me because it's the last day of the week Congress typically has to do things. (They all fly home to their districts on Friday, no work for them on Friday.) Since I basically will have to get there early to make sure everybody gets in all right, Thursday is about the worst day for me. For weeknights, Mondays and Fridays are the safest for me in terms of the likelihood that I won't have to stay at work late.

K.

[chazwicke]

Mondays then.... That is good too. Who is in?

[Chris1stva]

That would be ok for me.

[zoom6zoom]

I suppose I could always call in hungo... I mean, sick the next day.

[Theakston]

I'd be up for this. Any night is fine for me other than a Friday - I like to get up early and run at least 10 miles on a Saturday morning. Experience has taught me that it's not a great idea to have a few the night before. Dehydration's a bitch.

I've got too much beer in my beer closet too, so I would definitely appreciate the opportunity to lighten the shelves by a few bottles.

Once we agree on a date we can all discuss what we should bring along. I've got some Pizza Port tucked away somewhere and many other obscure brews from the MJ beer club.

[Theakston]

Also if it's going to be a Monday, better be before ths Smithsonian Associate's beer thing starts up again (July 11th)

[gallowd7]

I would be up for a Monday, however, I don't have much of a cellar. Just the homebrew that "needs more time". But I am going to Indy on the 23rd and can bring back some locals.

[chazwicke]

I've got plenty of beer to bring. The challenge will be to get it down there and kep it cooled but not too cold.

[Chris1stva]

I think we touched on this before, but do we all want to bring whatever we can, or focus on a theme?

[chazwicke]

I'm looking to empty out some of my stock. I know I'll be bringing some Belgians and other stuff. I think maybe for this first one we should keep it loose and at the tasting set up a framework for possible future get togethers / tastings.

[chazwicke]

So looks like a Monday would be good day. Kate, any particular one better then the others? I'm finally having surgury next Monday to get rid of this dang kidney stone but after that.....

[Katefan00]

At this point I don't have anything scheduled on those Mondays that would make me prefer one over another. Anybody else? I have asked the management to get me the availability of the room I'm interested in on Mondays in June, so I'll be sure to let y'all know when they finally get back to me. Hopefully it'll be sometime early next week.

Blah, surgery! At least you're getting it over with.

[chazwicke]

You bet. I'm tired of the damn thing.

[Katefan00]

I have good news and bad news. Here's the good news:

The room we're interested in is open June 13th and 27th. I don't have anything planned either day so both are open for me.

The bad news is that they're going to charge us a corkage fee -- which makes sense, given that they're missing out on that business at the bar.

The fee depends basically on what kind and how much beer we're bringing. As a guess, the manager estimated that they would maybe charge 25 - 35% of their per-bottle bar prices ($3.59 domestic, $4.64 foreign), which would work out to ~$1.26 per bottle domestic and ~$1.65 per bottle foreign at the 35% rate. So basically about a buck fifty a bottle. Then again, when they see some of the bombers or specialty bottles they may want to "renegotiate." Hopefully they won't be paying attention.

They can also do a cheese tray for about $35, pretty reasonable, if folks are interested (please let me know).

So basically, if we're still interested everybody needs to be prepared to kick in about a buck fifty per bottle brought and maybe $3 - $5 bucks for the cheese tray depending on how many people come and if that's something people want. It'd be nice to have a little food although the bar does maintain a decent menu of good food. Or, if some folks bring more than others (which is always a possibility), we could split up the corkage tab between us all. Seems only fair since we'll all be enjoying.

Let me know what you think,
K.

[zoom6zoom]

Per bottle brought or per bottle opened ?

[Katefan00]

He didn't say specifically, but I can find out. I would imagine per bottle opened (as that means one less bottle they sold).

K

[Chris1stva]

Any chance of getting a flat fee? I understand the F&B manager's position, but I do grumble at the idea of paying to drink beer I already paid for.

[Katefan00]

I can ask, but I doubt it. They mostly do wine in these situations, and their corkage fee for wine is 50%, so... he's sort of giving us a break already. It's unfortunate, but it's a nice space and we'd have catering (if we want), glasses and bussing service. But, I totally understand the feeling. I'm open to other ideas for venues too, if anybody has one.

Best,
K

[Chris1stva]

Yeah, I think we likely will face something like this anywhere.

I'm still up for it, though.

[MeridianFC]

If we can wait a bit on the time and be very flexible I'll just offer up my place. I've got the kegerator, a beer fridge, poker table, and .....er....well that's it. Paying to open beers that we've already paid for seems a bridge too far. I'll put forward one 2004 Anchor Christmas magnum and some other random rare thing from my cellar.

Keep in mind I've a 5 month old and a wife, who while she loves beer, has to work all day with the wean. If we could do a Wed/Thur. and pile out before midnight, I think we could have a workable night. We're talking late June/early July.

Alterantely we can just do a pub crawl............................................. ................

[chazwicke]

You all decide. I'll bring beer.:D

[MeridianFC]

Kellerator 1 has it's maiden flight today. I was just out a Old Dominion picking up two fresh 1/6s (Lager and Pale Ale). I'll report back on how operations went.

[chazwicke]

Everything good on that maiden flight?

I just want to revive this thread. Looks like a private residence will be the best solution. I've still got lots of beer to bring....

[Insidious Rex]

chaz whatever happened to this?

[chazwicke]

I'm still willing. Though I did give some of the beer away. Ive got plenty more. Utopias anyone? Eliot Ness? Belgians?