How to Start a Craft Beer Club in Fort Worth

Fort Worth, Texas, has evolved into one of the most vibrant craft beer destinations in the Southwest. With over 70 breweries within a 30-mile radius, a passionate local community, and a culture that celebrates innovation and craftsmanship, the city is an ideal breeding ground for a craft beer club. Starting a craft beer club in Fort Worth isn’t just about gathering people to drink beer—it’s about building a community around shared appreciation for flavor, technique, and local identity. Whether you’re a homebrewer, a beer enthusiast, or a business owner looking to deepen customer engagement, launching a beer club can foster lasting connections, elevate your knowledge, and even support regional brewers.

This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step roadmap to launching and sustaining a successful craft beer club in Fort Worth. From identifying your purpose and recruiting members to organizing tastings, managing logistics, and leveraging local resources, every element is tailored to the unique beer landscape of North Texas. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a clear, actionable plan to create a beer club that stands out in one of America’s fastest-growing craft beer markets.

Step-by-Step Guide

Define Your Club’s Purpose and Niche

Before you send out your first invitation, clarify why your club exists. The most successful beer clubs in Fort Worth aren’t just social gatherings—they have a clear identity. Ask yourself: Are you focused on rare barrel-aged stouts? Local IPA experimentation? Sour and wild ales from small Texas producers? Or perhaps you want to educate newcomers on beer styles and brewing science?

Defineing your niche helps attract the right members and sets expectations. For example:

• A “Fort Worth Hop Hunters” club might focus exclusively on West Coast and New England IPAs from regional breweries like Peticolas, Community, or Deep Ellum.
• A “Texas Barrel Society” could rotate monthly tastings of bourbon-barrel-aged beers from Austin, Dallas, and Fort Worth.
• A “Brewery Tour Collective” might organize monthly visits to different Fort Worth breweries, pairing each stop with a themed tasting.

Your club’s mission statement should be concise and memorable. Example: “To explore, celebrate, and elevate the craft beer culture of North Texas through curated tastings, brewery partnerships, and member-driven education.”

Choose Your Format: In-Person, Hybrid, or Virtual

Fort Worth’s sprawling geography means accessibility matters. Decide whether your club will meet in person, virtually, or in a hybrid model.

In-person clubs thrive in neighborhoods like the Cultural District, Near Southside, or the Stockyards, where breweries are clustered. Hosting at a brewery taproom (with permission) is ideal—it reduces setup costs and connects you directly with brewers.

Hybrid clubs allow members from outside the city (e.g., Grapevine, Arlington, or Denton) to participate remotely. Use Zoom or Discord for virtual tastings with mailed beer kits.

Virtual-only clubs are less common but viable if your members are spread across Texas. You’d ship curated 6-packs monthly and host live tasting sessions via video.

For beginners, start with in-person gatherings at a single brewery. Once you have 15–20 committed members, expand to hybrid formats.

Recruit Your Founding Members

Don’t rush to fill a room with 50 people. Start small—with 8–12 passionate, reliable individuals who will help shape the club’s culture.

Recruitment channels in Fort Worth:

• Visit local breweries and ask if you can leave a flyer or announce your club during their weekly trivia night.
• Post on Facebook groups like “Fort Worth Craft Beer Lovers,” “Texas Beer Enthusiasts,” and “Dallas-Fort Worth Homebrewers.”
• Engage with Instagram accounts like @fortworthbeer, @texasbeernews, and @breweryhoppingdfw.
• Reach out to members of the Fort Worth chapter of the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP).
• Ask local beer bloggers or podcasters if they’d promote your club.

When inviting people, be specific: “We’re starting a small group focused on Texas sour ales. We meet the first Thursday of each month at Peticolas. We’ll taste 5 beers, discuss flavor profiles, and vote on next month’s theme. If you’re curious, reply with your favorite Texas sour.”

Secure a Consistent Meeting Venue

Consistency builds trust. Choose a venue that’s reliable, accessible, and beer-friendly.

Many Fort Worth breweries welcome private club events. Contact taproom managers directly. Offer to:

• Bring 10–15 members per month.
• Encourage members to buy food from the taproom.
• Post about the event on social media.

Popular venues for beer clubs in Fort Worth include:

• Peticolas Brewing Co. – Central location, spacious taproom, open to private events.
• Community Beer Co. – Strong local following, great for educational tastings.
• Deep Ellum Brewing Co. (Fort Worth location) – Known for experimental brews.
• 7venth Sun Brewery – Unique barrel program, ideal for advanced members.
• Blackland Brewery – Smaller, intimate setting, great for focused tastings.

If you can’t secure a brewery, consider renting a private room at a venue like The Lot (near the Cultural District) or even a member’s backyard with proper permits for alcohol service.

Structure Your Monthly Meetings

A well-structured meeting keeps members engaged and coming back. Here’s a proven format:

1. 15 min: Welcome & Theme Intro – Briefly explain the month’s focus (e.g., “Today we’re tasting 5 Texas saisons from breweries under 10,000 barrels.”)
2. 30 min: Guided Tasting – Serve 4–6 beers in order of lightest to heaviest. Use tasting sheets with aroma, flavor, mouthfeel, and finish prompts.
3. 20 min: Member Discussion – Facilitate open conversation. Encourage members to share thoughts. Avoid letting one person dominate.
4. 10 min: Vote & Next Month’s Pick – Let members vote on next month’s style or brewery. Announce the winner.
5. 15 min: Social Time & Networking – Encourage members to exchange contact info or join a WhatsApp group.

Keep meetings to 90–120 minutes max. People have lives. Respect their time.

Set Membership Fees and Budget

Most successful clubs charge a small monthly fee to cover beer costs, tasting materials, and venue tips. In Fort Worth, $15–$25 per month is standard.

Breakdown example for a 10-member club:

• 6 beers @ $6 each = $36
• Tasting glasses + sheets = $5
• Tip to brewery = $10
• Total per meeting: $51
• Per member: $5.10

Charge $15–$20 monthly to cover 2–3 meetings and build a small reserve for special events (e.g., brewery tour, guest brewer night).

Use digital tools like PayPal, Venmo, or Square to collect payments. Avoid cash—it’s messy and untrackable.

Develop a Tasting System

A formal tasting system elevates your club from casual hangout to serious beer experience.

Use the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) flavor wheel as a guide. Create simple tasting sheets with:

• Beer name and brewery
• Style
• ABV
• IBU
• Aroma (floral, citrus, earthy, etc.)
• Flavor (malt, hop, yeast character)
• Mouthfeel (light, creamy, carbonation)
• Overall impression (1–10 scale)

Print these or use a free Google Form. Collect responses anonymously to avoid bias.

At the end of each session, tally votes for “Best Beer of the Night.” Award a small prize—like a pint glass from a local brewery or a $10 gift card.

Plan Quarterly Special Events

Keep momentum high with events beyond monthly tastings:

• Brewery Tour Day – Visit 3 breweries in one day (e.g., Peticolas → Community → Blackland). Arrange for group discounts.
• Homebrew Showcase – Invite local homebrewers to submit entries. Members taste and vote. Winner gets featured at a future meeting.
• Guest Brewer Night – Partner with a brewer to host a Q&A and pour exclusive beers.
• Seasonal Beer Festival – Host a fall or spring event with 10+ local breweries. Charge $25 admission to cover costs and raise funds.

These events create buzz, attract new members, and strengthen relationships with local brewers.

Build a Digital Presence

Even a simple website or social media page adds legitimacy.

• Create a free Google Site or Carrd.co page: “Fort Worth Craft Beer Club – Monthly Tastings, Brewery Tours & Beer Education.”
• Use Instagram to post photos of tastings, beer labels, and member quotes.
• Start a private WhatsApp or Discord group for announcements and member chat.
• Use Eventbrite or Facebook Events to manage RSVPs and send reminders.

Update your site monthly with tasting notes, photos, and upcoming events. This helps with SEO and attracts new members searching for “Fort Worth beer club.”

Partner with Local Breweries

Don’t just rent space—build relationships. Breweries appreciate loyal customers and are often eager to support community initiatives.

Reach out with a short email:

“Hi [Brewery Name] Team, I’m starting a small craft beer club in Fort Worth focused on highlighting local breweries. We’d love to host our monthly tasting at your taproom and help promote your beers to our members. We’re happy to post about you on social media and encourage our members to buy food and merchandise. Would you be open to a quick chat?”

Many breweries will offer:

• Free or discounted beer for club events
• Exclusive pours not available to the public
• Guest brewing opportunities
• Co-branded merchandise

These partnerships make your club more valuable and reduce costs.

Best Practices

Be Inclusive, Not Elitist

Fort Worth’s beer scene is welcoming—but some clubs unintentionally alienate newcomers. Avoid jargon like “lacto sour,” “kettle sour,” or “hop burst.” Explain terms simply. Encourage questions. Celebrate discovery over expertise.

Remember: Someone’s first sip of a Texas sour might be their gateway into craft beer. Your club should be a launchpad, not a gatekeeper.

Rotate Leadership

Don’t be the only organizer. Assign monthly roles:

• Tasting Lead – Chooses beers and leads discussion.
• Logistics Coordinator – Books venue, collects payments.
• Social Media Manager – Posts photos and updates.
• Feedback Collector – Sends post-event survey.

Rotate every 3 months. This prevents burnout and empowers members.

Document Everything

Keep a shared Google Doc with:

• Meeting dates and locations
• Beer lists with tasting notes
• Member contact info (opt-in only)
• Vendor contacts (breweries, venues, suppliers)
• Event photos

This becomes your club’s living archive—and a valuable resource if you ever want to scale or hand it off.

Respect Alcohol Safety

Fort Worth has strict alcohol laws. Never serve beyond 2:00 AM. Never encourage binge drinking. Always provide water and non-alcoholic options. Encourage ride-shares or designate drivers.

Some clubs partner with Lyft or Uber to offer discounted rides to members after events. It’s a thoughtful touch that builds goodwill.

Stay Local, Stay Authentic

Fort Worth’s beer identity is rooted in Texas pride. Prioritize breweries within 100 miles. Avoid importing beers from California or the Northeast unless it’s for a special comparative tasting.

Highlight Texas ingredients: Texas-grown hops, local honey, pecan wood smoke, mesquite barrel aging. These stories make your club unique.

Collect Feedback, Then Act

After every meeting, send a 3-question survey:

1. What was your favorite beer tonight?
2. What style would you like to try next month?
3. How could we improve this event?

Use responses to adjust your plan. If 80% of members want more sours, pivot. If people say “too much talking,” shorten the discussion. Adaptability is key.

Tools and Resources

Essential Tools for Managing Your Club

• Google Sheets/Forms – For RSVPs, feedback, and beer logs.
• PayPal or Venmo – For collecting dues. Use “Friends & Family” to avoid fees if possible.
• Eventbrite – For ticketed events like brewery tours or festivals.
• Canva – Design simple tasting sheets, flyers, and social media graphics.
• Discord – Best platform for ongoing member chat, polls, and announcements.
• Untappd – Encourage members to check in beers. Use the app to track what’s being tasted and discover new breweries.
• Mailchimp or Substack – Send monthly newsletters with tasting summaries and upcoming events.

Recommended Reading and Learning

• “Tasting Beer” by Randy Mosher – The definitive guide to beer evaluation.
• “The Oxford Companion to Beer” – An encyclopedia of beer styles, history, and brewing.
• BJCP Style Guidelines – Free online resource for understanding beer categories: bjcp.org
• “Brewing Local” by Adam Avery – Stories from Texas and regional craft brewers.
• Podcasts: “The Beer Diaries,” “Brewing with the Masters,” “Texas Beer Podcast.”

Local Fort Worth Resources

• Fort Worth Brew Trail – Official map of all local breweries: fortworth.com/brewtrail
• Texas Craft Brewers Guild – Advocacy group with events and resources: texascraftbrewersguild.org
• North Texas Homebrewers Association – Monthly meetings and competitions: nthba.org
• Fort Worth Public Library – Offers free beer-related books and occasional brewing workshops.
• Beer Advocate Fort Worth Forum – Active community for reviews and event planning.

Suppliers for Club Materials

• Beer Tasting Kits – Purchase from beerTastingKit.com (includes glasses, scorecards, pour spouts).
• Custom Pint Glasses – Use CustomInk.com to print your club logo on 16-oz glasses.
• Beer Flight Trays – Buy from Amazon or local restaurant supply stores like Pearl Plastics in Dallas.
• Printed Tasting Sheets – Use Canva templates and print at FedEx Office or Staples.

Real Examples

Example 1: The North Side Sour Society

Founded in 2021 by two homebrewers in the Near Southside, this club meets monthly at Blackland Brewery. They focus exclusively on sour and wild ales from Texas and the Southwest. Members pay $20/month. Each meeting features 5 beers, with one being a homebrew submission. They’ve hosted 4 guest brewer nights and partnered with 7 local breweries for exclusive releases. Their Instagram (@northsidesoursociety) has over 1,200 followers, and they now host an annual “Sour Fest” with 15+ breweries. Their success stems from hyper-focus, consistency, and community-driven content.

Example 2: The Stockyards IPA Collective

This club started as a Facebook group of 8 friends who loved hop-forward beers. They began meeting at Peticolas on the last Friday of each month. After 6 months, they formalized with a website and dues. They now average 22 members. Their twist? Each member brings one beer from a brewery they’ve visited outside Fort Worth. They’ve tasted beers from Colorado, Oregon, and even New Mexico. Their “Beer Travel Log” blog has become a local resource. They donate $1 from every membership to the Fort Worth Food Bank.

Example 3: The Brewmobile Club

Unique in format, this hybrid club meets virtually via Zoom but mails members a curated 6-pack each month. Founded by a former military member now living in Denton, the club has members from 12 Texas cities. They focus on “Breweries You’ve Never Heard Of.” Each month, they spotlight a small Texas brewery (e.g., Trolley Stop in Waco, Southside on Lamar in San Antonio). They’ve helped 11 microbreweries gain exposure and sales. Their model proves you don’t need to be in Fort Worth to build a Fort Worth-focused club.

FAQs

Do I need a license to start a beer club in Fort Worth?

No. As long as you’re not selling alcohol or charging for it directly, you don’t need a license. Members pay for their own beer at the brewery, or you buy it for them as a group. Never serve alcohol in a private home without a permit—Texas law requires a special event permit for alcohol service in non-licensed venues.

How many members should I aim for?

Start with 8–12. Once you have consistent attendance, aim for 15–25. Beyond 30, it becomes hard to manage discussions and ensure everyone gets a voice. Quality matters more than quantity.

Can I include non-beer drinks like cider or mead?

Yes—but only if it aligns with your club’s theme. If your club is “Texas Craft Beer,” stick to beer. If you want to include ciders, rebrand as “Texas Craft Beverages Club.” Clarity prevents confusion.

What if no one shows up to a meeting?

It happens. Send a friendly reminder the day before. If attendance drops below 5 for 3 months in a row, reassess your theme, time, or venue. Maybe switch from Thursday to Saturday. Maybe try a different brewery.

How do I handle disagreements over beer ratings?

Encourage respectful dialogue. Remind members that taste is subjective. Use your tasting sheets to quantify preferences. If someone is disruptive, have a private conversation. Most people just want to share their passion.

Can I make money from my beer club?

You can cover costs and build a small reserve, but don’t treat it as a business. Charging more than $25/month for beer tastings feels exploitative. The goal is community, not profit. If you want to monetize, consider launching a beer podcast or blog alongside your club.

How do I get breweries to donate beer?

Offer value: exposure, social media posts, member foot traffic, and feedback. Breweries want to build relationships. Send them a simple one-pager: “Here’s who we are, what we do, and how we’ll promote you.”

Can I start a family-friendly beer club?

Yes, but keep it appropriate. Host daytime tastings at breweries with outdoor patios. Offer non-alcoholic options like local kombucha or craft sodas. Use terms like “beer appreciation” instead of “drinking.” Many families in Fort Worth are interested in learning about local culture.

Conclusion

Starting a craft beer club in Fort Worth is more than a hobby—it’s an act of community building in a city that’s rapidly defining its own beer identity. With over 70 breweries, a growing culture of experimentation, and a deep appreciation for local craftsmanship, Fort Worth offers the perfect ecosystem for a beer club that’s meaningful, educational, and enduring.

The key to success lies not in how many beers you taste, but in how deeply you connect—with the beer, with the brewers, and with each other. A great club doesn’t just serve beer; it creates memories, sparks conversations, and turns strangers into friends.

Begin with clarity. Start small. Be consistent. Listen to your members. Partner with local breweries. Document your journey. And above all, remember: this isn’t about being the most knowledgeable person in the room. It’s about creating a space where everyone—whether they’ve been drinking IPA since 2012 or just tried their first sour last week—can feel welcome.

Fort Worth’s beer scene is thriving because of people like you. Now it’s time to take the next step. Pick a brewery. Send that first message. Host your first tasting. And let the community grow from there.

The taps are ready. The glasses are waiting. Your club starts now.