FOBAB 11/16/2013

Both ba abraxas and backyard were at second session but had long lines immediately. Never saw bcbs barleywine.

Also, they gave you the plastic cup in place of the glass?

 

Only 364 days till next FoBab!!

 

I saw some long lines where BA Abraxas was scheduled to be, there was enough good beer to not waste time there.
Yeah. I would say about 50 of us got plastic disposable cups instead of what looked like glass. In my old age, my memory isn't too strong so something to take home reminds me I made the trip up here.

 

I was in the ridiculously long line for BA Abraxas and about 7 or 8 people behind when it kicked. Big thanks to the admissions table for the 40-minute delay of getting in due to that line. Also missed Fuzzy and Blueberry Flanders and Backyard BCBS.

 

At one point I thought I had crossed into another dimension filled with lumberjack angles drinking the sweet nectars of the gods.

 

I got there at 5:25, and was in the event drinking at 6:12, so not too bad considering the massive line. Elevators worked well, all lines moved fast (except BCS Backyard and BA Abraxas) and the event was run flawless IMO. I had some killer stuff and was rarely disappointed (HA BA Baume being the rare exception, that was awful). Even scored a Utopias bottle as a souvenir! Well done ICBG.

 

Went to 1st session. Great event. Glad I took a water break for about 30 mins, and the rain when I left sobered me up.

BCS Barleywine through the coffee was amazing. Offcolor rattler was right up there also.

Never felt too crowded.
Can't wait for next year.

 

Clare's. Thirsty. That is all.

 

Only thing I/we missed in the 2nd session that was awesome was the BCBS Barleywine through the Inteligentsia Randall. . .

I was right at the front for the Backyard BCBS line, then hopped into the BA Abraxas line...WOW that BA Abraxas is somethin insane, was not expecting that much. Backyard BCBS was solid but very sweet.

Drainpours - - Firestone Walker Agrestic Ale - bleh, granted it was like room temp., but still not good flavor/body
Oskar Blues Gubna in Tequila barrels I wanna say- eww

BA Pipeworks was pretty solid, could use a LITTLE more body.
BA Blot out the Sun - Had a funky smell, was alright.

It seemed at least a few kegs were straight foam, but I guess thats to be expected.
The 4oz pour of Utopias I got from the man on stage at the end of the night was good.

 

I don't see how you could have missed Blueberry Flanders if you really wanted it in the 2nd session. I got a pour, after I forgot about it, about an hour into the event.
It was solid, as was Light side and Dark side...

 

I sort of dropped the ball and didn't pay attention to the "must-haves", though I did get to have Backyard which was something to behold. Was in line when BA Abraxas kicked, however I am fortunate enough to have had it in the past. Would have liked to try Fuzzy and Cthulu, along with some others, but overall I had a good time, even if it was sometimes difficult to tell a line from a hoard of people standing.

Next year I'll get there earlier, put 3-4 "must-haves" on my list and hit those ASAP, then wander the rest of the event.

 

BCS Barleywine wasn't pumping in the 2nd. They were randalling regular bcs through Serrano (?) peppers instead.

And, yeah: Fuzzy was easily best in show.

 

That beer was fantastic surprised nobody was really talking about it

 

Anybody know if Fuzzy was ever/will ever be bottled?
I need more of that in my life.

 

Wish I could have tried Fuzzy. That was the one beer I'm sad I missed out.

 

My only small complaint is that there wasn't any good signage saying that the sours and Bourbon County stuff was in another room. Ran around for 5 minutes before Alum pointed us in the right direction.

Serrano randall BCBS was pretty awesome. I had a small amount of something through the coffee randall, but they seemed to be having a lot of problems with it. It was an amazing coffee bomb whatever it was.

Clare's was awesome as always, Framboise de Amarosa was great, there was no line for Track #10 lol. It seemed that they ran out of Allagash Resurgam in the early session possibly? Or it was like Raspberry Wild One last year.

Rum barrels were the worst in show. Oskar Blues rum Ten Fidy and the Bell's beer were both turrible.

Also, fuzzyfuzzyfuzzyfuzzy.

 

I wasn't personally bothered that I was given a plastic cup only because the last thing I need in my life is more beer glasses, but it just seemed like a strange problem to have. I mean, you know exactly how many people are attending the event - how do you not have the appropriate amount of glassware?

 

Upland Blackberry was solid as well. . .

 

That Bell's Rum Porter was disgusting. Tasted like permanent marker.

There was another beer I had that tasted like broccoli. Somebody handed it to me and said I had to try it for as bad as it was. I think they said it was the Blacklist Honeysuckle Lambic, but based on other people saying it was decent I'm not sure.

 

other random thoughts -
Dark Horse 6 legs yaddy - It was probably an awesome beer at some point, was it left in barrels for like 3 years in a hot attic? It had almost no flavor.
One Trick Pony Kentucky something - absolutely delicious, chris and those guys are f*ckin killing it. Transient & one trick pony should explode in 2014.
Avery bottled sours - it turns out they're not worth trading for.
Utopias - glad I got my 20 dollar pour, and glad I never have to buy an over priced bottled of maple syrup fire water (it was actually pretty good but I dont see ever wanting more then 2 oz of it).
Lost Abbey Framboise - ya that was f*ckin unreal.
Whoever made the aquavit barrel aged beer - nicely done, people probably skipped it but it was beautifully bizarre beer. Considering its like the malort of norway this beer had to be polarizing. I love the breweries using non-traditional barrels, would of liked to try the ten ninety tabasco barrel beer but I forgot.
Bear Republic - bubba & the other one were delicious.
Bells Brett champion....no chance, it was great but its like maybe a 7.5/10.
Perennial - I love almost everything you make but la boheme kriek I did not, no one can bat 1K.

Wonderful times as always, well run, great brews, great folks, and fun times. yea chicago & yea beer.