Dark Lord Day (DLD) 2015

Im for the opposite, make even more tickets IP. The limited number of IP tickets along with the late sale date is what made it a mess last year. It worked perfect 2 years ago, they did IP tickets 3 times, just about everyone that wanted them got them the first go round. After that there was no line, the second IP sale I walked right up to the table in the afternoon, and there was a giant stack of tickets. I know several people that want to go, they try to get tickets online, but when IP sales roll around they dont feel like driving an hour each way to get the tickets. Fine, I guess they aren't committed enough, let someone else who is get the tickets.

 

Yeah, I get that. I just think the scene is so toxic right now that what they did 2 years ago just wouldn't work.

Probably just jaded from that guy who bragged on here about driving 8 hours each way last year just on the chance that they might have tickets.

 

I thought he went home empty handed, and looked like a complete idiot. I found that more entertaining than anything.

Selling 1,000 tickets on a random Wednesday starting at 3PM, unannounced, no twitter or FB post probably would be the most effective method.

 

What does IP mean in the above thread?

 

In Person... A term used for traders to mean no shipping

 

Well, I posted this elsewhere, before I found this thread. There is so much information on DLD in multiple threads, its hard to find it all. Anyways, maybe I can get some answered here. If any of this is printed elsewhere and I missed it, my apologies.

I scored 2 tickets to this year's DLD and some of the stories have me a bit nervous, lol. I do have a bunch of questions and I am hoping I can some of them answered here. Many of them revolve around the distinction between on the event grounds and off, I believe. So, here goes:

1. Can a backpack be brought in? I was thinking a decent size pack would be great for carrying everything in and carrying purchases out. I know some events don't allow packs, so I want to make sure about this. It would also allow me to keep my hands free more than carrying something with a handle.

2. I have seen mention that a soft cooler can be brought in, so this is good. Is this mainly for beers I bring to share, or is it for carrying beers out? I was thinking I could put my DL in my backpack mentioned in the previous question, but I was curious about the primary use of the cooler.

3. Which brings me to another question regarding the shares. I have seen some pictures, and these look legendary. Is the whole event a bottle share as well? Is the bottle share all day? I have been to some beer events where people will share in line, but once they get into the event, there is no more sharing. I figured I could bring in a Kuhnhenn growler and some other decent beers if this is the case. Also, do the bottle shares last all day?

4. This one is a big one for me--can I go back and forth to my car (providing I am parked somewhat close by) if I want? I figured the car could be a good base of operations if I am able to go back to it somewhat easily. Basically, is it fairly easily to leave and enter if I want?

5. On the subject of parking. My pickup time is 6:30-8:30, and I am driving there from Detroit, so I will be getting there after the event starts, probably early afternoon. Since I am getting there later, and willing to pay, should I be able to find at least some parking, even if it is a few blocks away? My hope is that I can catch some early people leaving and grab a spot.

6. This is the last question topic for now. Do people bring cameras? Is it okay to bring one? I guess this goes with the backpack question, in that a camera bag would basically be a small backpack, or I would put it in my regular pack. This would go along with the back and forth to the car thing too. I wouldn't mind having a camera in the car and just grabbing it for a little while, then putting it back.

Sorry for all the questions, but I figured this would be the best place to get an answer. DLD has been on my beer bucket list for a while, and I want to make sure I get the best experience I can.

 

@mdomask answered your questions pretty well in the other thread, I believe.

 

The answer to all of your questions is yes.

 

People really overthink this.

It's a beer fest. Show up, drink, get bottles, drink, eat, drink more, listen to metal, go home.

It's not complicated, folks.

 

Thanks everyone. @mdomask did answer for me, so you can disregard my questions here if you want. I had posted there and found this thread after, and realized it was for this year so I tried here too. My apologies for the repetitiveness.

 

@tj42 yeah, I know I do. That has been a problem for me for just about everything. Some kind of weird personality quirk I guess. I am sure I will enjoy it once I get there. It is always the getting there and getting in part that I get myself all spun up about.

 

Are you coming by yourself? You're welcome to join up with our group. We'll be there very early in the AM and throughout most of the day.

 

To clarify, I wasn't giving you crap, I just assumed you hadn't seen his responses.

At the end of the day, if you're going to DLD, I'd say the thing you really want to play for is sharing beers with people. Where are how is (hopefully) going to be up to you, but most of the details of your day there will be relatively flexible, so just bring some beer, and find some people with empty cups!

 

It's only complicated if you did not score a ticket

 

I am bringing a guest, a fellow beer enthusiast. But it would still be great to find people to hang out with, so thanks for that. That is the best part, meeting other beer people, hanging out, sharing beer and stories. I am really looking forward to this.

 

@JFMBearcat how close to Cincy or do you have access to grab some Rheingeist for potential IP trade

 

Yeah, no problem! I work in Cincinnati and actually live 20 min east, they have me as Kentucky on here, need to change that.

Let me know what you'd like from them and I'll hook you up. Just was at the taproom on Saturday, great place.

 

Oh, it was entertaining.

I see your point on the unannounced sales thing... I just think it'll hit Twitter too fast to really give the locals/long-time supporters the chance to get tickets. Which is really what IP is all about.

 

I feel the same way as @scottsad since I will be going for the first time and driving over 10 hours to get there so I want to be prepared and get the most out of the experience. I am not deep into beer trading so don't have tons of killer stuff to share but I will bring the best local stuff I can get my hands on. I just am not clear on whether I will be able to get other beers like ZD and be able to carry them out to my car without missing out on other things. I am in group A so I was kinda hoping to do all my bottle purchasing in the morning and get it all out to the car and then drive back to the hotel and then shuttle/cab it back to enjoy the rest of the day without having to haul heavy bottles/cases around. Is that a realistic goal or should I just plan to get there early and tough it out until exhaustion sets in? I need to leave early sunday morning so ideally I'd want my car at the hotel so I can just get up and go and not need to get a ride back to pick up my car.

 

When the gates open at 10:30, head to the open warehouse area which is very close to the entrance. They will have pallets upon pallets of ZD/GBH/AK/RTB, as well as bombers. 2 cases per person. Then haul your beer back to your car, do with it what you wish, and come back. Line will wrap around like a roller coaster line, if you get there when they open it won't take very long. Just have an exit plan with all that heavy beer or the day will turn not fun very quick.