Dark Lord Day (DLD) 2015

This will be my first DLD. I'm in Group D. Just curious if there is general understanding about which groups are preferable (not that I can do anything about it now).

 

In the past it was better to get earlier groups for two reasons:

1. The line tends to move faster, as there are fewer people from earlier groups who missed their time slot and are now going during your time slot. It was really bad in Group D & Group E in 2013, took 2+ hours to get through line. I think last year it was much faster.

2. Better chance to get Vanilla Bean Dark Lord. I have heard conflicting information on this, but it used to be that Vanilla Bean Dark Lord would sell out in Group B or early Group C, as most people pick that variant if they win the scratch off. I heard of people getting VBDL in Group D and maybe even Group E last year, so perhaps they do hold some back for later groups. Still it seems your best chance of getting it is to be in one of the earlier groups. In 2013 in Group E I only had the choice of 2 variants out of the 4, 2 had sold out.

Otherwise it makes no difference really. One advantage is that you can go straight for the glassware line or hot sauce line first thing in the morning if one of those interest you.

 

Is VBDL the best Variant they've had in the past? The cognac variant seems like it could be tasty.

 

I don't think any group is preferable anymore, aside from when you want to get your DL.

Used to be that the trade off was early group = more variant choices, but no brewpub (BA DL on draft) for you.

Then, it was early group = not waiting in the clusterfuck that the line became toward the end of the event in 2013.

Now, it seems like they split variant allocations between groups. And, they added half an hour bleed time to help clear the line between group sales and they're better at moving people through in general.

So, now getting group E means you want to show up later, take a mid-day nap, or have an ultramarathon-tier liver.

 

It's generally accepted that VBDL has always been the best variant. (Brandy Vanilla in 2011, Bourbon every year since then). The 2011 Bourbon Dark Lord is also hyped because they used Pappy Van Winkle. Opinions are split on the De Muerte variants.

 

I think people rave most about Brandy, brandy vanilla, and (of course) pappy.

Prepare for disappoint.

 

Thanks. Hopefully the Beer isn't the way you described it this year.

 

Pappy Van Winkle would be awesome. Hopefully they do that this year.

 

First DLD, cant wait. Coming from Indy. I will be brining...

Dogfish 120
2014 Boulevard Smokestack Imperial Stout

I think that ought to do it.

 

I will be at the Holiday Inn Express in Merrilville on Friday night. Count me and my buddy in for a bottle share there.

 

We just did a share last weekend and the majority of people thought Port was better than VBDL. Wiggleswade was just a weird...weird...beer.


So I guess I'm saying, if you win, choose the one that sounds the most interesting to you.

 

Variants ranked

Brandy Vanilla (2011)
Bourbon Vanilla (12-14)
Cognac (2012)
Cognac Muerte (2012)
Brandy (2011)
Bourbon (2012)
Bourbon Muerte (2013)
Moscatel (2014)
PVW (2011)
Port (2013)
Portguese Brandy (2014)
Earl (2014)

(Have not had 2011 Muerte)

 

My group of 4 will be staying there Friday and Saturday. I think since we missed out on the Barrel Massacre we will be hitting up Flossmore.

 

In years past has three floyds released anything the week before or just the day of the event ?

Edit: released new information that isn't already known

 

@JohnnyHopps Four Fathers released To 11 in bottles

 

Probably only bringing 3 bottles this year. Have to make it a half day and have obligations the next day which require me to be functional. Here's my list. What would everyone be most interested in?

GI Double Date
GI Grimm Vicar
Pugachev's Cobra
Jester King Encendia
Upland Kiwi Lambic
Cherry Adam From the Wood (with carbonation drops added - I liked the beer but was put off by the lack of carbonation so I opened the bottle, added some residual sugar, and resealed. Should carb up since it is bottle conditioned)

 

I'm bringing 2012 DL and 2013 Vanilla bean Rum barrel DL

 

Bringing a vietnamese coffee Speedway and growlers of Duet and Arizona Wilderness Refuge.

 

If I was lucky enough to run into you and you had a GI Double Date or Grimm Vicar open I'd be pretty excited about that. I'm intrigued by your solution to the carbonation problem from HotD (I've been disappointed multiple times) so that would probably be my 3rd.

 

FFF is pretty good at releasing info at the last minute, or not at all.