FOBAB 2014

And I'm perfectly fine with that, not shelling out $135 (including the wife) to try a bunch of stuff I already had before.

 

Did this sell out yet? Did they mention how many tickets per session?

 

All gone now, took until about 11PM last night. And then they released some more this morning, probably from duplicate orders or invalid credit cards.

No mention of how many tickets. But last year they initially said up to 200 beers, this year they are saying up to 300. So i would assume 50% more tickets per session, with 1 additional session.

 

How many people were let in last year per session?

 

I don't have an official source but I heard 1,200 per session last year. Some people were speculating at 1,500 per session this year but I have no idea how accurate this is.

ICBG said they increased ticket sales per session by a small margin and increased the amount of beer proportionally.

 

Here's a comment from Justin Maynard at ICBG:
"I want to start off by saying thank you to those who have purchased their FoBAB tickets this year. This event started 12 years ago on the rooftop of Rock Bottom - Chicago with 10 competition beers. Look at how far craft beer has matured! Tickets: Why are we concerned? We let Bridgeport Art Center because we want YOU to have a better experience. Easy access, more space, working elevators, more professional staff. We increased tickets because of space, still thinking of space limitations. We want YOU to have the best experience possible. We increased tickets by a small margin because we want everyone to have a better chance at attending this rare festival. So, my question is.. What is the concern? We will have more beer available at the same rate. Will we run out of a particular beer? Im sure we will, but it had nothing to do with increased ticket sales. Everything is proportional. So is FoBAB. I hope to see everyone in November!!"

 

Last year there were 213 beers (after they initially said there would be 200). This year they are saying there will be 300. I would say that is more than a small margin.

 

Anyone heard of any non-obvious confirmed breweries yet?

 

the brewery registration isn't even completed yet

 

this is just an unconfirmed rumor, but one of my ICBG insiders told me that Goose Island might be coming! Shhhh!

 

Im guessing the awards for the Fobab categories will be given out friday? Session 1?

 

And therefore a brewery cannot possibly have confirmed its attendance?

 

Correct, because confirmations weren't sent back and they weren't told if they could bring 1, 2 or no beers.

 

I thought i read that. winner's were announced during the first session in previous years.

 

Thank you, good to know. I knew registration ended on the 30th but assumed the process worked like a "rolling admissions" process does in the college admissions context. Apparently that's not right. In that case, by what principle are breweries and numbers of beers allowed selected?

Thanks again.

 

And breweries or beer bars near The Forum or UIC Mariott?

 

Haymarket is on the southeast corner of Halsted and Randolph.

 

beer bistro and Jaks tap too

 

Three Aces as well, but Haymarket is probably the best in the area.

EDIT: Lone Wolf is just northwest of haymarket and always has several FFF taps.