Dark Lord Day (DLD) 2015

Looking forward to being a first time attendant. Any recommendations on hotel? I saw the 3 posted on the DLD website, but thinking about Staybridge Suites in Schererville or HI Express in South Lansing. Definitely want to get in on some bottle shares and I don't where the active hotels are. Cheers.

 

I recommend that you get a room a week ago

 

Go quick they'll keep filling up and prices will keep rising

 

i've got a room at HI express chicago south lansing, the question is whether that is a decent location, having never been to to the area. as compared to staybridge suites in schererville or the places recommended by FFF. hampton is sold out

thanks

 

There's an empty lot across the street from FFF just to the southeast that would make a great little hotel. It might only be profitable once a year, but it would still be great.

 

I checked one site for Staybridge Suites in Schereville for 4/25-4/26 and it came up with 0 rooms. Gonna be hard to get reservations for your hotel of choice this far out and will only get harder.

 

It's about a 15 minute drive, right off the expressway. The area is not great at night IMO but the hotel is nice enough - pretty new, std HI Express.

 

Gents, I have been to 2 DLD's 2012 and 2013, missed last year because I was an idiot and went to darklordday.com instead of a direct link to the ticket seller. Anyways, I'll be in group A this year with several people, and am trying to recall when they put the variants of dark lord on tap. Is it the first barrels that go up, or dispersed throughout the day like previous years?

 

If it's like last year, I'm pretty sure they go up randomly around the park. But I didn't stand in line for most of them, so others will probably be better at answering this.

 

They're put on sporadically throughout the day. 2010 DL was the first vintage I saw and that was tapped right when the gates opened. Not sure when the first variant was tapped though.

 

Guess the gameplan will be to get in line ASAP if I get a golden ticket, otherwise, hunt down some whales on tap!

 

Most of the really good stuff (BVDL etc) Will be later on in the day. Go have fun drink a bit on tap but bring lots to share. Wander up to random tables introduce yourself, offer a pour of your bottle and they'll most likely do the same.

 

I see on the DLD website that coolers aren't allowed. Are soft/backpack coolers allowed?

 

Hunting anything on tap is a fool's errand. Relax, exchange pours with people, and just enjoy. Don't stress about getting any one specific thing.

 

Yes

 

I'm sure this has been asked before, but sifting through 32 pages of speculation, conjecture, etc. would drive me mad.

With the tapped beers throughout the day, do those tend to go ridiculously quick, especially some of the more rare stuff? I'm going with some friends and while I've got a few things I'm planning on bringing to share, they really don't have much, so I'm sure they'll rely more on what's on tap than the kindness of strangers.

 

It really depends. Sometimes "rare stuff" lasts a long time because no one knows it's on.

Seriously, just relax about the guest taps. Last year, the lines were such that you had no idea what would be pouring by the time you got up.

And, seriously, just bring whatever to share. People will literally see you with an empty glass and fill it with what's in their hands. Or just come up to a table, share around a bottle, and start making friends. You'd be surprised what people are grateful for pours of. Think gas-station standards like NG fruit beers.

EDIT: Lines at guest taps mid-day were long. Apparently, they cleared out in the evening when it got cold and 12 hours of drinking caught up with them.

 

Awesome! I still have an NG Raspberry Tart at home that was going to be mixed in to my bag of goodies coming along for the ride. Very excited for my first DLD.

 

A few times Id be in line and by time I got to the front 3 beers had sold out so yea show up get in line and order what you havent tried yet or what looks the best when you get to the front

 

Can I bring one of these?