Two Great Places for Movie and a Beer Tasting

By combining film screenings with expert-led beer tastings, two Columbus cinemas are elevating two art forms. The Gateway Film Center and Studio 35 Cinema & Drafthouse each do their movie-and-beer events a little differently, but the idea is the same: Taste a bunch of great beer before watching a great movie. The result is greater than the sum of its parts.

Gateway Film Center started offering beer tastings over two years ago in an effort to grow Columbus' movie-going population, says Johnny Diloretto, director of communications. "It's an exciting time for the arts in Columbus," he says. "But I see the audience for independent cinema stagnating a little." The tastings begin at 4:30 p.m., and the films start at 6 p.m. During the tasting, there is trivia in the Gateway's lounge. The films vary but are often a mix of fun, nostalgic and cultish, DiLoretto says. "We try to find that sweet spot." For $15, you get three pours, one pint of your choice and a movie ticket. This month, Gateway is showing "Fight Club" (Nov. 9). gatewayfilmcenter.com

Studio 35, which has been hosting monthly beer tasting-film screenings since 2007, typically partners with a specific brewery (or sometimes two) for its tastings, co-owner Eric Brembeck says. There's a rep from the brewery or distillery, an emcee, prizes and movie clips. At 5 p.m., "once the 10 beers are served, we show the movie," Brembeck says. And don't worry if you arrive late to the tasting. "There's a catch-up table," Brembeck says. For $25, guests get 10 4-ounce pours and a movie ticket. This month's tasting-screening film is "Weird Science" (Nov. 16). studio35.com