To be clear, this is a beer enthusiasts club, we taste, we do not brew. Homebrewers are welcome and encouraged to join, but by no means do you need to be a homebrewer to participate. We gather monthly (hopefully more often as membership and enthusiasm grows) to taste a variety of beers. The atmosphere and vibe are very low-key and social with no particular structure or agenda other than to sample quality beer. Generally, there will be 8-10 beers to try, discuss, critique, and enjoy. So, it is our hope that members will not only enjoy beverages provide but, will take the time to meet and get to know others as well. When and where are the meetings? Meetings are on the 3rd Tuesday of the month in the upstairs area at The Geneva Taphouse. Tasting begins around 7pm and goes until we’ve had our fill of beer and human interaction-usually 9pm. What’s a typical gathering like? Did we mention this is a low-key social club? With that said, the 7pm start time is more of a guideline than a rule. We encourage members to arrive early and patronize our host venue. The Taphouse has dozens of beers, meads, ciders, and wines to taste while waiting for things to get rolling upstairs. When you arrive upstairs you can check in and get a taster glass and a commemorative pen and collectable notepad-OK, the writing utensils are NOT commemorative, and the notepads aren't that collectable, but it sounded way cooler to say it that way. Once tasting begins the host will give you a description of the beer (brewer, name, style, ABV’s, IBU’s, etc.) and any other background that is available. In addition, the host will let you know what the pour size for that beer is; usually 2-3 ounces. We work on an honor system and trust that members will pour accordingly so everyone gets a sample. Typically there is some of each beer left when we’re done and members can revisit a favorite once everyone has had an opportunity to experience each offering. From time to time we will have a specific brewery featured and possibly a representative from that brewery available to discuss the beers and answer any questions you might have. Tastings are not intended to be like going to a beer fest. We encourage members to savor the samples, discuss with tablemates the nuances of the beers and to live in the moment. Consuming as much beer as possible and catching a buzz is NOT our goal, nor should it be yours. Frat parties and keggers may have been fun back in the day, but we’re hoping your beer drinking has matured and refined with time. So we can all enjoy the experience, please participate accordingly. And that’s about it. Typically, there is no official meeting with officer reports and agenda items-boring!. Occasionally, there will be things to discuss, like a change in meeting time or procedure, nothing too formal. Who can join? Anyone over 21 with an interest in craft beer. Beer geeks, nerds, snobs, and aficionados of all ilks are welcomed and encouraged. Beer connoisseurs, from beginners, to seasoned veterans, are welcome; if you have a passion for exploring and trying new beers you’re our kind of folks. If you enjoy sampling those beers with others in a social atmosphere, then you’re REALLY our kind of folks. What’s it cost? The Geneva Beer Enthusiasts is a non-profit, paid-membership social group. All fees from membership and tastings go back into the group. There is an annual membership fee of $20 per member. For each function there is a meeting fee, typically $15. In cases where more premium or specialty beers are being sampled, the meeting fee may be higher. In those cases, we will do our best to make members aware via social media in advance of the meeting. If you want to attend a tasting but not join, there is a non-member fee for each tasting, generally $5-10 more than member fees. Meeting fees are collected at check-in for tastings. New members can join at any meeting. Payments will be accepted in cash, or via Venmo, or credit card.
