BDOA
BDOA Chapters
Find Your People. Join a Chapter. Build Something in Your City.
BDOA Chapters bring Beer Drinkers of America members together locally.
They’re where members meet people locally, grab beers together, attend events, compete, build local partnerships and turn BDOA into an actual community in their city.
Whether you’re looking for a Chapter near you or want to help build one yourself, this is where BDOA becomes local.
WHAT IS A BDOA CHAPTER?
A BDOA Chapter is a local group of BDOA members built around a city or area.
Every Chapter is part of the national BDOA community, but each one develops its own local identity, events, traditions and partnerships.
The goal is simple:
Give BDOA members a local group of people they can actually meet, hang out with and be part of.
In a Chapter you can expect:
- MEETUPS & SOCIALS: Grab a beer, meet other members and build actual friendships.
- EVENTS & EXPERIENCES: Attend brewery meetups, sporting events, trivia, watch parties, competitions and whatever else your Chapter comes up with.
- LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS: Chapters can work with local breweries, bars and businesses to create discounts, promotions and other opportunities for members.
- COMPETITIONS: Represent your Chapter in local and national BDOA games, tournaments and challenges.
- COMMUNITY: Find other Beer Drinkers of America members around you instead of only being part of an online organization.
- BUILD SOMETHING: Every Chapter is different. Members help decide what their local BDOA community becomes.
FIND YOUR CHAPTER:
Current BDOA Chapters:
Don’t See Your City?
There might not be a Chapter there yet. That doesn’t mean you have to wait for somebody else to start one. You can help bring BDOA to your city. To establish your chapter reach out by email, or Instagram.
WHAT DO BDOA CHAPTERS DO?
There isn’t one specific type of BDOA Chapter event.
The goal is simply to give members reasons to get together. Chapters can organize things like:
Some events can be big. Some can be as simple as saying:
“We’re grabbing beers here Friday. Come hang out.”
The important part is getting people together.
WHY JOIN A CHAPTER?
1. Meet BDOA Members Near You
BDOA is nationwide, but Chapters make it local.
Instead of just seeing other members online, Chapters help you find people in your own area.
2. Have Something To Be Part Of
Meetups, competitions, events and other activities give members reasons to actually get together.
3. Represent Your Area
Participate in BDOA competitions and activities as part of your local Chapter.
4. Get Local Opportunities
Chapters can build partnerships with breweries, bars and other businesses for discounts, promotions, events and member perks.
5. Help Shape The Chapter
BDOA is still being built. Members joining Chapters now have the chance to help create the traditions, events and culture their Chapter becomes known for.
WANT TO START A BDOA CHAPTER?
You don’t need to own a bar.
You don’t need experience running events.
And you don’t need to already have 20 people ready to join.
If you’re willing to help bring people together and build BDOA in your area, we can help you work through the process.
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO START A CHAPTER?
To begin building a Chapter:
- 5 local founding members
- A proposed President
- A proposed Vice President
To become an official Chapter:
- 20 local BDOA members
- President + Vice President
- Members generally within roughly 45 miles of the Chapter area
- Completed Chapter Formation Document
- Commitment to at least one meetup, event or activity each month
5 PEOPLE → START BUILDING → 20 MEMBERS → OFFICIAL CHAPTER
HOW A NEW CHAPTER GETS STARTED
STEP 1 — LET US KNOW YOU’RE INTERESTED
Tell us where you’re located and that you’d like to help bring a BDOA Chapter to your area. We’ll connect with you and help you figure out the next steps.
STEP 2 — BUILD YOUR FOUNDING GROUP
Start finding other Beer Drinkers of America members and beer drinkers in your area who want to be part of the Chapter.
The first goal is 5 committed local members, including people interested in serving as Chapter President and Vice President.
STEP 3 — FOUNDER QUALIFICATION
Once the initial group is together, you’ll complete the BDOA Founder Qualification process. This lets us know there is genuine local interest and gives us a group to begin building with.
The process includes:
- Joining a meeting with BDOA Headquarters to discuss the potential Chapter
- Identifying the Chapter President and Vice President
- Getting at least 5 local supporters to sign the Founder Qualification form
- Talking through your plans, local area, and ideas for building the Chapter
- Reviewing what BDOA provides and what is expected from Chapter leadership
STEP 4 — GROW TO 20 MEMBERS
The founding group works with BDOA to continue growing the local community.
Once the Chapter reaches 20 local BDOA members, the President and Vice President coordinate the Chapter Formation Document with the founding members.
Chapter Formation Document signed by 20 members
STEP 5 — BECOME AN OFFICIAL CHAPTER
Once the requirements are met and the Chapter Formation Document is approved, the group becomes an officially recognized BDOA Chapter.
The Chapter can then:
- Receive its official Chapter Flag
- Be added to the national Chapter directory
- Build its Chapter Fund
- Participate in national Chapter competitions and opportunities
- Develop local partnerships
- Begin building its own events, traditions and community
YOU DON’T HAVE TO BUILD IT ALONE
Starting a Chapter doesn’t mean we hand you a logo and tell you good luck. BDOA works with Chapter leaders to help them grow and stay active.
Support can include:
- Chapter branding
- A Chapter page on the BDOA website
- Help recruiting members
- Event and meetup ideas
- National activities and competitions
- Promotional support
- Leadership communication
- Connections with other Chapter Presidents
- Town halls and leadership meetings
- Local partnership ideas
- Chapter Fund support
- National BDOA recognition
We’re building the organization together.
CHAPTER LEADERSHIP
Every Chapter has at least a President and Vice President.
CHAPTER PRESIDENT
The President’s main job is to keep the Chapter active and moving forward.
That includes:
- Communicating with Chapter members
- Helping plan Chapter activities
- Making sure the Chapter always knows when its next meetup is
- Working with the Vice President and other members
- Welcoming new members
- Communicating with BDOA national leadership
- Helping grow the Chapter
- Helping develop local partnerships and opportunities
The goal is for every Chapter to have at least one meetup, event or activity each month.
That doesn’t mean the President has to do everything. A good Chapter gets members involved and builds a team around it.
Below are resources that will help Presidents understand their role and responsibilities.
- President Roles and Responsibilities
- President Position – Slides going over the position
- Youtube video going over president position and discussion with Chapter Presidents
CHAPTER VICE PRESIDENT
The Vice President helps support the President and the Chapter.
They can help with:
- Events
- Member communication
- Recruiting
- Partnerships
- Chapter planning
- Stepping in when the President is unavailable
Below are resources that will help Vice Presidents understand their role and responsibilities:
- Vice President Roles and Responsibilities
- Vice President Position – Slides going over the position
- Youtube video going over president position and discussion with Chapter Presidents
BUILD YOUR CHAPTER FUND
Every official Chapter has the opportunity to build its own Chapter Fund. For every new BDOA member who joins through that Chapter’s membership page:
$1 goes into the Chapter Fund.
The fund can help support things like:
- Chapter events
- Meetups
- Competitions
- Member activities
- Chapter projects
- Other approved Chapter needs
As the Chapter grows, the amount it earns from future member signups can increase.
The more your Chapter grows, the more resources it builds locally.
CHAPTER MILESTONES & BENEFITS
Every Chapter starts somewhere.
- 5 MEMBERS: Founding group established and eligible to begin the Founder Qualification process.
- 20 MEMBERS: Eligible to become an official BDOA Chapter and receive its Chapter Flag. Chapters may host the traveling National Champions Plaque.
- 70 Members: Chapter begins earning $2 for every new member they signup
- 100 MEMBERS: BDOA Chapter Coins
- 120 MEMBERS: Chapter begins earning $3 for every new member they sign up
As Chapters grow, BDOA will continue creating new recognition, competitions and opportunities for them.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Below are the most frequently asked questions regarding Chapters, and starting a Chapter.
No.
Contact us as soon as you’re interested. The first goal is building a founding group of five people, and we can help you work toward the full Chapter requirement from there.
An official BDOA Chapter requires at least 20 local members, including a President and Vice President.
A Chapter should represent one reasonably local community. As a general guideline, members should usually be located within roughly 45 miles of the Chapter area.
If your area is unusual geographically, talk with us and we can figure out what makes sense.
There is currently no separate Chapter startup fee.
Members still need to be Beer Drinkers of America members.
No.
You can help build the founding group without becoming President. Leadership can be determined as the Chapter develops.
No.
Chapter events don’t have to be complicated. A meetup can be as simple as picking a brewery, choosing a date and inviting everyone to come hang out.
Our goal is for every Chapter to have at least one meetup, event or activity each month and to always know what its next activity will be.
No.
Beer may be what brings the community together, but members are never required to drink alcohol to participate in BDOA or Chapter activities.
No.
Chapters can move around and visit different breweries, bars, restaurants, venues and events throughout their area.
Yes.
We encourage Chapters to build relationships with local businesses when it makes sense.
Those partnerships can lead to events, discounts, promotions and other opportunities for members.
Potentially, yes.
As BDOA grows, some larger cities and regions may support multiple Chapters.
Contact us and we can determine what makes the most sense for your area.
READY TO BRING BDOA TO YOUR CITY?
You don’t need to have everything figured out. Tell us where you’re located and that you’re interested.
We’ll help you figure out what comes next.
(updated Sep 9, 2026)
