Oh, the places you'll go with new membership card | Around the Brew Bend

A Facebook memory popped up the other day, and it was a post expressing excitement about the launch of the Democrat's regular craft beer column — "Around The Brew Bend." Over 4 years later, we still feel that same excitement every time we sit down to write about all the haps on our local Tallahassee-area craft beer scene.

So before we close out 2023 with all the latest craft beer news, just want to say thanks to the Tallahassee Democrat and editor William Hatfield for giving us this space and platform to keep our close-knit craft beer community informed year-round. And to Martha Gruender for her patience and taking good care of every column we turn in.

New Year's Eve:Tallahassee puts the fireworks into New Year's Eve Countdown Downtown

Beer:Two new breweries slated to open in Thomasville | Around the Brew Bend

Expansion:Bike shop-taproom concept expanding from Thomasville to Tallahassee. Here's what to expect

Speaking of being informed, tons of you received your 2023 TLH Beer Society Membership Card this past week in time for Christmas, and many of you who received them as gifts are now asking, "Cool card. Now what?" Well, we put out a series of FAQs on social media ahead of the delivery of them last week, but we wanted to update you since we first posted them.

So let's dive in …

Q: I just received my 2023 TLH Beer Society Membership Card, but I didn't have the 2022 Membership Card so this is new to me. Can you tell me how it works and when I can start using it?

A: First of all, CONGRATS on owning a small piece of #TLHHistory, as well as the most baller discount card ever produced for the Tallahassee-area drinking and dining scene! Our hope is that years from now when we're designing Card #27, folks are still talking about how cool these things are every year, and how it still incentivizes them to #SupportLocal businesses and help raise money for the Leon County Humane Society.

Second, how it works is very simple: Every local business listed on the card is a participant for 2023 — meaning they offer some type of perk to YOU for being a card-carrying member. And when we say "2023," we mean ALL of 2023. These deals never expire during the calendar year, and they never have to be crossed out or marked off when you use one. That means they can be used unlimited times between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2023.

There are two ways to find out what each local business' deal is: 1) Scan the QR code on the card itself with your phone, which takes you directly to TLHBeers.com, where all the deals are listed in alphabetical order and by side of the "Mix-Tape," cassette-style card design - Side A and Side B. We placed primarily the local craft breweries, distilleries, wineries, craft beer bars and craft beer bottle shops on Side A, and all the restaurants that support our local beer scene on Side B. Or 2) You can simply visit TLHBeerSociety.com and the same listing pulls up right there on the home page. Then just pick out a deal, head to that local business, present the card when ordering and VOILA! You're flexing your Membership Card like a pro!

Q: I bought the 2022 TLH Beer Society Membership Card — will the places listed on the 2022 card still accept it now that the 2023 Card is here? Or what should I do with the old one now?

More:A good time was had, $5,555 donated at TLH Beer Society 5-year birthday bash | Brew Bend

A: We thank you for being an inaugural member of the TLHBS, and your purchase helped us donate $5,555 in Year 1 to the Leon County Humane Society back in early August. Unfortunately, the 2022 card expires on Dec. 31, 2022. It's now just a super cool keepsake, as well as a mega-cool spare bottle opener. But good news, though: Every single local business on the 2022 Membership Card returned as a proud supporter of the 2023 Card —plus we added 16 more to bring the total to over 45 participants! So as long as you have the 2023 card, you won't miss a beat or any of the great perks that come with it.

Q: What if I lose my 2023 TLH Beer Society Membership Card? Is there any way to track it? Or can I replace it?

A: We've found that very few lost their cards in 2022 — mostly because the one piece of feedback we received often this year was: "This thing has such a nice weight to it, it's hard to forget about or lose! You'd hear it for sure anywhere you dropped it!" So the short answers are: "No, we can't track it; the cards do not have built in chips or GPS or anything fancy like that. We aren't there quite yet — but maybe by 2025! But yes, we can replace it. If you lose your card, reach out to us by email at: tlhbeersociety@gmail.com. We'll explain the process and the reduced cost to get a new one — all of which is donated in full directly to the LCHS.

Q: I didn't order one before Christmas or on Black Friday. Can I still get a card and where do I buy one?

A: Absolutely, "YES!" The 2022 TLH Beer Society Membership cards experienced a printing delay or we would've had them in your hands to start 2022, rather than March 1 when they finally arrived. So the fact we did pre-orders this year was just a way for you to have them ready to use by Jan. 1, 2023, so you could maximize your value.

We ordered plenty this year and have extras. Just log onto TLHBeerSociety.com — add one to your cart, and then use the discount code DEMOCRAT10 and you can save 10% on your order at checkout. You also have two options on how to get your card: 1) Choose "Pickup at Oyster City-Tallahassee" (which is fast, free and available the same day you order), or 2) Choose "Delivery" (which costs $3.75 and takes a couple days). Either way, once you order, you'll have it in no time!

Q: I see there is a bottle opener built-in. Will it work or is that just for show and will my card break if I use it?

A: Def not for show! Being a "Beer" Society, the built-in beer bottle opener was a MUST-have feature on the card (shoutout to Tallahassee's own Target Print & Mail for finding that for us!). So, by all means — pop away! We've yet to meet a bottle that the Membership Card can't defeat!

Thank you again to everyone who has their card in hand and is ready to hit the town and support local businesses. We can't tell you how much we appreciate the support of us, the local craft beer scene and the Leon County Humane Society!

We hope you enjoy the amazing lineup we've assembled for you in 2023, Tallahassee craft beer fam! Cheers!

Danny Aller is the co-founder, along with Matthew Crumbaker, of the TLH Beer Society. Reach the Beer Society on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or email: tlhbeersociety@gmail.com.

Never miss a story:  Subscribe to the Tallahassee Democrat using the link at the top of the page.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: I got my 2023 TLHBS Membership Card! Now what? | Brew Bend