COSI After Dark: the science behind a good time

“Hold my beer, I have to lift this car.”

If you’re anything like me, one of your unofficial pastimes is finding new and interesting places to drink. While there’s nothing quite like the comfort and ambiance of a good local brewery, there’s a lot to be said for drinking at a tailgate. Or on a boat. Or while camping. Or while skydiving (ok, maybe not that last one).

Or, as it happens, at a science center. The Center for Science and Industry (COSI) in downtown Columbus has re-introduced an event series catered specifically to adults. Titled “COSI After Dark,” the events happen once a month, each with a new theme.

Joe Wood – Manager of Audience Development at COSI – currently oversees the events. It’s his job to identify and reach out to demographics that COSI would not normally be known for. So far, the After Dark series is the largest of these endeavors. “We had tried the concept before,” he explains, “but it wasn’t as much of a success as we wanted it to be. But recently we’ve committed as an organization to put a huge effort behind After Dark, and we’re starting to see a lot higher turnout.” The series was re-launched in April of 2014, and has run each month since then. The most recent one this August had a “Brewing & Distilling” theme. Eight breweries and two distilleries provided drinks at various stations located throughout the COSI facility. And several had ancillary tables set up that explained the science of brewing. At one station, I learned about the fermentation process, and a representative from Four Strings Brewery had samples of a few yeast strains for us to smell. As an amateur home brewer, I understood the general process, but getting to see a particular yeast strain under a microscope was a treat, as was learning about the plethora of flavors that brewers can create through their yeast selection.

If the event didn’t sell out, it’s only because there was no capacity set for it. “This was a record breaking event for us,” explains Wood. “We knew brewing and distilling was a popular topic – back in July 2014 it was our largest at the time as well – but we were all surprised at the level of interest.” Beyond the drink stations, the majority of the building’s exhibits are open to attendees. Outside, among other activities, groups can use “whisper dishes” to talk to one another in whispers from several meters away, or lift an entire car with a simple pull of a rope in a clever manipulation of the laws of physics. “Sometimes people are reluctant to interact with the exhibits,” says Wood, “because they feel like they’re taking it away from a child. So this allows them to act like kids without that fear.” Inside, dozens of smaller stations are set up to play with and learn from. And several larger, more interactive areas that would normally cost extra are free to attendees. I hopped into one – the “Adventure” area – that felt like a mix between a temple from an Indiana Jones movie and an episode of Sherlock. The entire area, which acts as an interactive puzzle to be solved in steps, can take up to an hour to complete, but it imparts a tangible sense of adventure and accomplishment.

The eight breweries – Actual, Barley’s, Four String, Land-Grant, North High, Pigskin, Wolf’s Ridge, and Zauber – were joined by two distilleries, Watershed and Middle West, along with Buckeye Brewcraft, a local homebrewing organization. While this particular event featured multiple breweries, Wood promised that each event will feature at least one local brewery. “We’ve been working with Actual Brewing the longest,” he says. “And it’s a nice thematic fit, since their motto is ‘brewed with tender loving science.’ They’ve been a partner with the After Dark series since the beginning. But there’s a huge local craft brew scene in the area, and we’ll be featuring one at each event as we move forward.”

The forward momentum created by recent attendance will undoubtedly create a new and exciting monthly event for local beer – and science – enthusiasts. While only the next few COSI After Dark events are finalized and posted on the COSI website, Wood hinted at various future plans that will appeal to a variety of adult audiences. “We’re doing something in October that’s a play on After Dark. Last October we had a zombie apocalypse event where we turned the “Adventure” area into an island of the undead. So for three Saturdays in October, we’re bringing that back. We’ll be doing a Halloween movie on the giant-screen theatre, and we’ll be bringing back the zombie Adventure exhibit. This year will be entirely different than in the past, so those who are familiar with it will still be able to experience it for the first time.” Wood also hinted at other upcoming events, including wanting to feature local wine next February for a Valentine’s Day theme.

Regardless of the themes and brews at each event, the COSI After Dark series promises to be a fun way to enjoy one of the cultural landmarks of the city. “Our job,” Wood says, “is really to help adults feel like they can act like a kid.” And as long as playtime includes some local craft beer, that sounds just fine to me. Now, hold my beer, I really need to go lift this car…

To check out dates and times of upcoming COSI After Dark events, head to their website at www.cosi.org. Their next three events are currently scheduled for Sept. 3 (Space!), Oct. 1 (Sci-Fi Science), and Nov. 5 (Tasty Science).