Extreme Beer Fest: Sometimes Bigger Is Better

Blog Discussion in 'BeerAdvocate Talk' started by Todd, Nov 2, 2013.

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  1. spyderskiman

    spyderskiman Initiate (0) Nov 8, 2006 Massachusetts

    Where's Tuckerman's Brewery!
     
  2. EJLinneman

    EJLinneman Pundit (920) Mar 2, 2009 New Jersey
    Trader

    Hotel booked - Residence Inn which is a 5 minute walk to the venue. This is my favorite event of the year. Looking forward to it.
     
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  3. mdfb79

    mdfb79 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,643) Jan 11, 2010 New York
    Pooh-Bah Society

    I kind of agree. I'm sure the new space, more food, etc., will be great, and the date changes don't bother me one bit after last year, but my concerns would be what multiple people have stated regarding the actual beer quality being served itself. Maybe PTY made it a whole fest 4-5 years ago (which is pretty cool), but over the course of the last few years I think we've seen some incredible beers in low quanities, and a tendency for there to be a few long lines for them.

    A lot of the highly sought after beers tend to kick quickly due to a limited amount making it to the fests. As an example at the 2012 NotB/EBF weekend Funky Buddha brought some amazing beers both days, but if you did not get in line for them immediately, you probably missed out. Someone like the Bruery sent Black Tuesday and Oude Tart with Cherries bottles years ago when they were highly sought after, but they would only last 10-20 minutes. I hope the new size doesn't discourage some breweries from bringing low quantities of great/rarer beers, as this weekend has always routinely had one of the best beer lists of any fest out there. I also realize this only applies to a small percentage of the beer that is poured at the fests, but I would argue it is an important small percentage as having these beers have helped the reputation grow.

    As an out of towner, I am also bummed they are not doing NotB the same weekend on Friday night. It was fun coming up to Boston for two great beerfests in a 30 hour period that had very distinct but great tap lists. Harder to justify a trip up for 1 night personally as I liked making a weekend out of it.

    These things wouldn't keep me from attending (though a wedding might), and I hope it is as good as ever.

    Quick question; are you planning on doing the same for BBF/NotF, or will it depend on how this goes?
     
    #63 mdfb79, Nov 5, 2013
    Last edited: Nov 5, 2013
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  4. ShogoKawada

    ShogoKawada Initiate (0) May 31, 2009 Pennsylvania

    I mean, for everyone who's bummed out at the format changes- why not go both Friday and Saturday? Hit your must-haves early, and visit your favorites a 2nd time on saturday. Just a thought.

    Sounds like there's going to be a shit ton of beer at this fest.
     
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  5. papat444

    papat444 Initiate (0) Dec 28, 2006 Canada (QC)

    My wallet says no for both unfortunately. Is Saturday afternoon more crowded than Friday night in your experience?
     
  6. mdfb79

    mdfb79 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,643) Jan 11, 2010 New York
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Very true. Basically looks like it is about double the amount of beers as last year's EBF so if you looked at it that way, you could potentially split it up as two fests.
     
  7. ChrisMQ

    ChrisMQ Initiate (0) Jun 30, 2010 New York

    for those who have gone to both nights in the same year---do the breweries typically tap the same beers both days/nights? OR do they wait for sat night to tap their rarer brews?
     
  8. ShogoKawada

    ShogoKawada Initiate (0) May 31, 2009 Pennsylvania


    well, they've never really done it like this before. This is a huge influx of tickets available.

    The venue is huge- the space'll be there. I wouldn't worry- the lines at BA fests are generally quick, and if you're avoiding the 'Dogfish Head' or 'Founders' lines you can get in and out quick. There's always booths with zero lines.

    I wouldn't worry about which day would be more crowded- I've been to 10+ BA fests and never felt like I didn't get enough awesome beer. The return on the dollar is pretty high on these fests.
     
  9. Todd

    Todd Founder (13,254) Aug 23, 1996 Finland
    Staff Super Mod Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    • All 3 sessions will have the same line-up of beers (more or less) and brewers.
    • Brewers are encouraged to ration limited beers across sessions.
    • All beers will be subject to availability and change.
     
  10. kkulacki

    kkulacki Devotee (392) Jan 19, 2007 Massachusetts

    I realize there are more tickets available this year, but can anybody comment on how quickly the fest sold out last year (I assume it sold out)? Is this a buy your tickets as soon as they go on sale sort of event, or do they last a while?
     
  11. benbking

    benbking Initiate (0) Dec 11, 2009 Rhode Island

    Buy your tickets as soon as they go on sale, that's my advice.
     
  12. Todd

    Todd Founder (13,254) Aug 23, 1996 Finland
    Staff Super Mod Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Last year tickets sold out in about 2 mins, but we're selling a considerable amount more this time around so it's hard for us to gauge.

    My advice: Don't wait. Buy them immediately.
     
  13. papat444

    papat444 Initiate (0) Dec 28, 2006 Canada (QC)

    Cool, now i just need to snag some!
     
  14. tgchief

    tgchief Initiate (0) Nov 30, 2010 Iowa

    Hey bros......I've heard Mike Saboe makes some "extreme beers" (subtle hint):wink:

    Clark
     
  15. Jason

    Jason Founder (0) Aug 23, 1996 Massachusetts

    It is not that it was broke or not broken but the format has run its course logistically ... I can't stress this enough:

    "... we'll be announcing exciting plans for Night of the Barrels' future soon."
     
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  16. Jason

    Jason Founder (0) Aug 23, 1996 Massachusetts

    I just emailed someone over there ... hoping to hear back. :wink:
     
  17. papat444

    papat444 Initiate (0) Dec 28, 2006 Canada (QC)

    Thanks for including Dunham! Not the first time you have a Canadian brewery is it?

    You have to contact Bellwoods, they are doing some awesome things and deserve more recognition.

    Also, if you're a volunteer for the brewery, how does that work in regards to being able to sample some brews from other vendors?
     
  18. Todd

    Todd Founder (13,254) Aug 23, 1996 Finland
    Staff Super Mod Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    We've moved away from having volunteers help pour beer for brewers.

    Volunteers are allowed to sample in moderation, but those who over-indulge will get the boot.
     
  19. papat444

    papat444 Initiate (0) Dec 28, 2006 Canada (QC)

    Ok but i was thinking of volunteering directly with the brewery but still answers my question :wink:
     
  20. bulldogg915

    bulldogg915 Initiate (0) Jun 18, 2011 Wyoming

    I'm on Eventbrite and don't see the event- am I missing something?
     
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