The short answer
You find tastings in four places: directly at wineries, breweries and distilleries, at specialist shops and bars, at fairs and wine festivals, and on platforms that collect events in your area. On Gustofolio they are listed under Meet & Taste on a map, filterable by drink, day and distance. Browsing works without an account; joining takes a free account.
What kinds of tastings there are
The word tasting covers very different evenings. At a guided wine tasting, someone from the winery explains five to eight wines. A cellar tour combines a walk-through with a short tasting. A whisky tasting usually puts five or six bottlings on the table, a gin tasting often several tonics as well.
Then there are open formats: vintage presentations and estate festivals where you drop in without a fixed time, beer tastings at the brewery, fairs with hundreds of exhibitors and online tastings where a tasting set is sent to your home.
Wine tasting near you: at the winery
Most wineries offer tastings, often at weekends or by appointment. Many have a tasting room where you can try a few wines without booking before you buy. Larger tastings with explanations usually cost something, and the amount is sometimes credited when you buy.
If in doubt, call ahead or check the winery's website. Especially during harvest in autumn, opening hours are often shorter because everyone is out in the vineyard.
Whisky tastings and gin tastings
Whisky and gin tastings are mainly run by specialist shops, bars and distilleries. Places are often limited and go quickly, because the samples are expensive and only a certain number of guests fit around a table. So sign up early.
Check the description for how many samples there are and how large they are. A good host states both and says whether water, bread or a snack is included.
Beer tastings and brewery tours
Many breweries, large and small, offer tours followed by a tasting. Craft beer bars invite you to evenings with a guest brewer or around a particular style. And at beer festivals you taste more styles in one afternoon than otherwise in a year.
The same applies to a beer tasting as to wine: small amounts, a sensible order and water in between.
Fairs, festivals and wine festivals
At fairs and festivals, many producers exhibit in one place. You usually pay admission once and then taste at the stands. Wine festivals are more relaxed: winemakers pour in a village or street, often with music and food.
Gustofolio's event calendar lists fairs, festivals and wine festivals in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, sorted by drink, city and month.
Tastings on Meet & Taste
Under Meet & Taste, Gustofolio collects tastings from wineries, distilleries, breweries and enthusiasts. You see them on a map and in a list and filter by drink, day and distance. All ten drink types have their place there, from wine and beer to sake.
For every tasting you see title, time, drinks, place, cost and free places without an account. If you want to take part, you register for free and request your place. You see the exact address and the group chat as soon as you have been accepted.
How to recognize a good tasting
A good tasting says in advance what will be poured, what it costs and how long it lasts. It has a manageable group so questions are possible, and someone who really knows the drinks.
It helps to note something about every sample. Then you know later which wine or beer you liked and can buy it again deliberately.
- Drinks and number of samples are fixed in advance
- Price and what is included are clear
- The group is small enough for questions
- Water and bread are provided
- The trip home can be planned without a car
Hosting a tasting yourself
If nothing is on near you, host one yourself. Four to six bottles, one glass per guest and a fixed order are enough for a successful evening.
In Gustofolio you create a meetup for it, private for invited guests only or public for everyone in your area. Public tastings are reviewed before they appear.
