Columbus Ohio Homebrew fundraiser

[DevCoGT]

I was curious to know if there are many people near Columbus, Ohio that might be interested in being involved in a homebrew "competition" sometime in June.

Basically, I am involved in the organization of a missions trip to Cambodia and looking for ways to raise money for people to go and to support the orphanage and medical center we are affiliated with over there. Would people be interested in taking part in this? I was thinking if we could get 10 people (or more if there are more out there) willing to brew a 5 gallon batch or so we could charge like $15 or so for people to come and sample each brew and vote on a favorite.

Hopefully we would have enough people that the brewers could be refunded for their donated beer (2-3 people coming would handle each brewer, so this seems easy enough). Also, it would be a cool way to meet some local people involved in this hobby since I am currently rather new to it.

Anyways, I have a venue large enough to hold 500 people...which unless this is wildly popular I imagine should be sufficient.

Post here if you think you might be interested and if theres enough interest we can get this going. Currently there are 3 people not on this forum that are interested in this idea.

 

[DevCoGT]

Or if you would be interested in just attending that is good to know too.

 

[DevCoGT]

Or if you would be interested in just attending that is good to know too.

 

[rifraf]

Sounds like a good idea, just make sure it's legal. Charging for homebrew can be tricky.

 

[Dillon152]

Depending on the date, I'd be interested in attending. I'd be coming down from Toledo.

 

[Bithead]

You need to rethink your fundraiser. Charging for homebrew is illegal. There are many threads here regarding that subject. Bottom line is it's illegal and there's no tricky way around it.

 

[BradleyBrew]

I'll send some beer!

 

[BrewinBuckeye]

I may be interested as well, coming from Perrysburg/Bowling Green area

 

[markm2151]

I'd be coming from Toledo and would be interested.

 

[Silikyan]

I'm right here in Columbus and would be interested depending on the date

 

[DevCoGT]

I have checked the legality of it, and will not be charging for homebrew. There is a suggested donation to come in, not a charge. If you would like to come in without a donation...I guess that's your perogative, we won't turn you away, we'll just probably look at you funny.

This is a large concern and would hate to do anything illegal so I will be contacting law enforcement in order to get a final okay, but my initial questioning came out positively.

We also cannot offer cash prizes as there is a legality issue there as well. I know the owners of the three homebrew shops in our area, one of which is affiliated with our church and seems to be interested in the idea of sponsoring the event in the form of a prize for the winner...what it is and the value remains to be seen.

Seems like interest is high enough to go ahead so I will keep you guys up to date on information as it becomes available.

 

[jeffcosgrove]

I would be interested in attending and possibly entering a beer.

 

[prrriiide]

You could also contact a popular local band and ask if they would play as a charitable event (it would be a tax write-off for them as well), and charge admission to the "concert" where homebrew is given away for free.

 

[DevCoGT]

That's not a bad idea, if we are having trouble with the legality I'll pursue that route.

 

[moorerm04]

I would be interested I would like more details.

 

[LuxAeterna]

I am interested, if it's later in June. I would gladly pitch in 10$+ for a donation. Also, if this sort of thing interests you, check out Ohio Brew Week here in lovely Athens.

http://www.ohiobrewweek.com/

 

[DevCoGT]

After talking with two of the owners of some of the LHBS in town they seem on board with donating either some equipment, recipe kits, or gift cards for prizes. What they actually do donate is going to depend on their stock as the date actually approaches. So instead of just the goodness of your own heart, now theres a bit of incentive to enter a beer or two.

Now, as far as the competition aspect goes, I think two prizes should be available (at least) one for anybody who attends to pick a favorite, and a second for the brewers to grade.

On a final note, I am also trying to get a few of the local breweries to contribute some beer to give us a sort of "heavyweight" to take down. Obviously they will not be eligible for the prizes because their prize is getting to brew in a commercial scale brewery!

Any other ideas you guys have let me know, I have never planned one of these before so I imagine together we can make it a pretty fun and successful event.

 

[bad67z]

I'm interested in attending and a possible entry.

 

[Wolfhound180]

This sounds like it will be awesome.

 

[head7l]

Count me in as well.

 

[DevCoGT]

Haha, one mention that there are prizes and seems like interest picks up quite a bit. Us homebrewers attempt to be a frugal bunch, don't we. We fail more often then not, but we can all remember when "we want to brew our own beer to save money!!!"

I also got into cycling to save money on gas...now my bike is worth more than my car.

 

[TheBreweryUnderground]

I am interested, what's the time frame for this?

 

[scratchy1971]

Put me down for a 5 gal batch.

 

[DevCoGT]

So the event is (tenatively) scheduled for June 2nd, around 4:00pm, down near OSU's campus in Columbus, Ohio. I will post more detailed information as things become official, gotta make sure there are no other reservations on the building for that day, but I didn't see anything when I looked at the calendar.

 

[Dolomieu]

I may be in. Have to see what june looks like for work. Have you said anything to the folks at sodz?

 

[DevCoGT]

I may be in. Have to see what june looks like for work. Have you said anything to the folks at sodz?

I sent them an email last week, but have not heard back. I'll try again in a few days.

 

[DevCoGT]

I may be in. Have to see what june looks like for work. Have you said anything to the folks at sodz?

I sent them an email last week, but have not heard back. I'll try again in a few days.

 

[DevCoGT]

UPDATE: The competition has moved to June 16th, at 4:00 pm.