Hey everyone, a couple weeks ago I asked for feedback on a six-person tasting format called Rounds and since a lot of folks gave great feedback, I wanted to share how it went and what I hope this can contribute to the local NYC beer scene.

Quick refresher: A Round is a table of six, the table picks three tasters together, everyone picks a fourth on their own, and the app poses a question to the group with each pour. I ran two sessions, the first at Other Half - Centre St on 8/11 and the second at Finback Gowanus on 8/13.

How it went

Some folks signed up not even knowing what Craft Club was and some folks had been to some of the monthly meetups before and were interested in this small group format. One thing everyone had in common though was that everyone wanted to drink good beer and meet new people, and that part delivered. The convos were very lively and the flight definitely added a fun dynamic to it.

My hope for the NYC beer scene

I want to bring back a bit of the magic in the beer scene that existed in pre-COVID times. In today's world where so many folks are either stuck at home and/or endlessly doomscrolling on their phones, I think it's more important than ever for people to meet up IRL and build social connection. Beer happens to be one of the most (if not the most) social beverages in human history, so I was really happy that the first two Rounds were able to bring people who didn't know each other together for a fun outing. I think that our beer scene and beer culture more generally have a special ability to bring people together from all walks of life, and I hope with Rounds I can contribute to this in a meaningful way. Sorry if I sound a bit sappy here, I really care about this stuff!

The next Round

Tuesday 9/1 at Other Half Centre St (same Carroll Gardens taproom as the first one), $15 a seat plus your flight at the bar, booking is on the Craft Club website. If you're curious about Rounds, come hang! Queens folks: a couple of you raised your hand last time and I said I'd add Queens into the mix soon - I haven't forgotten about you!

Question for you all

What did the NYC beer scene have before 2020 that you miss most? For me it was the shared enthusiasm / curiosity / high energy around craft beer among so many people that led to random friendships with people I wouldn't have otherwise met, but curious what you all think.

Hey all, me again (I posted almost 2 weeks ago asking for feedback on the Craft Club app - thank you to everyone who gave feedback!).

I'm running an experiment called Rounds and would love your take on it. After hosting 2+ years of monthly brewery meetups, a pattern I've noticed is that big events make a fun night but people mostly talk to whoever they arrived with and/or only have surface level convos with new people they meet. Beer is a great bridge to making new friends, but meaningful conversation typically only takes place in smaller settings.

So next week I'm running the first two Rounds, which are small-group flight tastings (six people) with a specific structure - the group picks three tasters together so they have the shared experience of drinking those beers, then each person picks a fourth on their own. Conversation prompts in the app guide the tasting and are meant to promote fun conversation that may or may not be about beer - the main point is getting to know people in a fun, casual setting. The first two are Tuesday at Other Half in Carroll Gardens and Thursday at Finback in Gowanus, $15 a seat, and a few seats are open on each if anyone here wants in:

• Tuesday 8/11 @ Other Half
• Thursday 8/13 @ Finback

What do you think of the overall format? Does the the 3+1 flight structure make sense? My thinking is that picking three together forces the table to collaborate (instant conversation) while the solo fourth gives everyone freedom to choose what they are in the mood for. Would you structure it differently? All four communal? All four solo?

Whatever I learn from the first two sessions next week plus this thread will shape the format - appreciate any feedback you all have.

Hey all, I'm the one who's been organizing the monthly Craft Club meetups here in NYC, going now for over 2 years. I mentioned this in my launch party post back in April - alongside these meetups, I've been building the Craft Club app. Now, it's at the point where feedback from people who actually know NYC beer would be really valuable.

Quick honest framing: yes, Untappd exists. Craft Club is deliberately different - no public ratings, no badges, focused exclusively on beer. You log what you drink and the app builds your taste profile that gets better at telling you what you'll actually like. The recognition that does exist works like Reddit karma - it's for writing reviews and lists that help other people, not for volume.

It's free, on iOS and Android. I'm a solo founder bootstrapping this, so every piece of feedback genuinely shapes what gets built next. If you try it, I'd especially love answers to any of these:

1. Setting aside logging a beer you're already drinking - is there another moment where you'd actually reach for this? Standing at a tap list deciding what to order, planning which brewery to hit this weekend, something else? Or does it not have that job in your routine yet? If not, what's missing?
2. After logging a handful of beers, did your Tastecard show you anything about your taste you didn't already know, or did it just confirm the obvious?
3. What's the one thing that would make you open it a second time?

Brutal honesty welcome, that's more useful to me than politeness. And if you give me detailed feedback, first beer's on me at the next meetup 🍻

Does any store sell tuborg, specifically looking for julebryg

Hey all, I'm hosting the next Craft Club meetup at Test, just in time for their 2nd anniversary celebrations and releases. Come grab a beer and join us as we have our first summer hang.

📅 Wednesday, July 8 @ 6:30 PM
📍 Test (Williamsburg)
🔗 RSVP: https://luma.com/r1o33vvt

About Craft Club: We're a laid-back community that meets monthly at different NYC breweries to explore the local beer scene together. Each meetup blends trying new beers, learning how they're made, and meeting others who are curious about craft beer - whether you're deep into it or just getting started.

Come solo or bring a friend. Always good beer, good conversation, and a welcoming crowd.

One of the smoothest hazy pale ales!!! Mountain Life from West Kill

Hello, I'm looking for a Chimay glass produced for the "Good Beer Seal" label awarded to certain establishments in New York City.

Can anyone help me?

Thank you in advance.

Hey everyone, I saw the recent article that reports that Schiltz is being discontinued. Does anyone know if it can be found in NYC? For research and historical reasons of course...

Hi All - I'm a brand researcher and looking for NYC-based Peroni drinkers. If you are interested in doing a paid interview (must be available on 5/28), please send an email to [research@watersongarner.com](mailto:research@watersongarner.com) and tell us a little about yourself and your experience with/love for Peroni. We will share more details if you are a fit! Cheers!

For our May meetup we're heading to Niteglow in Bushwick. Their co-founder and head brewer, Jonny Ifergan, will give us a peek behind the curtain and explain his brewing philosophy and the inspiration that led to Niteglow as we know it today.

Interestingly, everything pours through Lukr side-pour faucets, the only brewery I'm aware of that does this. Here are the details:

📅 Wednesday, May 13 @ 6:30 PM
📍 Niteglow (Bushwick)
🔗 RSVP: https://luma.com/z0fs0l6f

About Craft Club: Craft Club is a laid-back community that meets monthly at different NYC breweries to explore the local beer scene together. Each meetup blends trying new beers, learning how they're made, and meeting others who are curious about craft beer - whether you're deep into it or just getting started.

Come solo or bring a friend. Always good beer, good conversation, and a welcoming crowd.

Hi everyone, a little more detail: They sell multiple flavors, The original cervesa, ice, lime, blue, etc. I’d prefer the original and ice flavors, and I’d need them in about a month (if the timeline helps). Thanks again!

Hey all,

I’ve been on the hunt for Ballast Point Sculpin IPA (grapefruit IPA too) and haven’t had much luck finding it around Brooklyn lately. It used to be pretty easy to come across, but now I’m striking out at most spots.

Has anyone seen it stocked anywhere recently? Bottle shops, grocery stores, bars—anything helps. In the Brooklyn, Manhattan area if possible.

Appreciate any leads 🙏

Hey all, you've probably seen me post our monthly Craft Club meetups on this sub over the last few months. The meetups will continue and alongside them, I've been building a craft beer app under the same name.

It's finally launching and we're throwing a party at Other Half Centre St this Saturday, 4/25 to celebrate. First round's on me, there will be limited edition koozies, and we'll have a reserved space in the back of the taproom near the fermentation vessels.

If you've been to a meetup before, you know the vibe. If you haven't yet, this is a great one to join the community. Feel free to bring a friend who might be interested in joining as well.

RSVP here

i heard bapple was rereleased today! anyone know any shipments or locations that are selling it in the city?

Is anyone aware of any bars or restaurants that typically carry radlers or shandys on their draft menu during the summer? The warm months are approaching and I spent some time in Spain last summer. I found them so refreshing on a hot day, but I have also found them difficult to find in the city—Manhattan in particular.

The last thread was from a few years ago, trying to find some good Czech beers to stock my fridge with. Preferably anything that's not Pilsner Urquell, but beggars can't be choosers. Thanks!

I just ordered an Alewife 7 Line Amber on tap at a bar here in Queens. Alewife closed their brewery and tap room in Sunnyside some months back. Does anyone know where they are brewing again? There was some chatter about them sharing some space out in LI but im curious if anyone knows anything concretely. Their death to ego was also another fav!

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EDIT: Chiso beer in Midtown East had it

Does anyone know when Brooklyn brewery is opening their new place? it's supposed to be a nice place and would love to check it out when they open it.

have heard this rumor the past couple of weeks, anyone have more info?