Annual 4 Elf Party - 2015 Details

Those are some interesting looking corks. Obviously there's no cage on them yet, but it seems like most C&C corks I've seen have been larger/rounder on the part protruding from the neck.

 

Maybe that is the tequila aged saison that was supposed to be released like 3x this year

 

They dont start like that. They expand to fill the space in the C&C.

 

She said on her FB post this picture was an old one from a couple years ago. Not anything that will be released this year.

 

Having just stopped in to Dark Horse a few hours ago after work, I can tell you guys that as of me being there (about 1:30-2:15), they still hadn't provided any information regarding quantities available/limits. What I was told, however, is that they had a better year regarding BBPT5. An older couple appearing to be from out of town (see: NOT MICHIGAN lol) was asking about their bourbon barrel draft selections (today). Their draft list was nothing out of this world, but the taproom manager (I think) told the couple it was available in the VIP room for tours (but, that no tours were offered today lol).

Being that I'm working down there this week, I'll likely be in line by about 2-3pm Friday; I'm guessing with the Dark Horse 2 case standard allotment there will be PLENTY of this to go around. Now, the vintages/one-off stuff...who knows.

 

So we're not getting the release list yesterday ...

 

Just teases damnit!

 

So since we are waiting for the list. I know they are doing things different with order forms etc this year. But for those who have went in the past, make a guess. If you do not plan on getting their friday night etc, and just plan to come saturday, how does it work. Do you just walk up, get an order form however far down the list you are, fill it out, then you wait it out?

If you did this in the past and got there around 11 or so, when did you actually get to pick up your order?

Just trying to plan ahead a little and know general time frames. Just can't be gone all day, so I didn't know how long it takes to get through all of that. Don't want to get there, order, and pickup ends up being at like 10:00 saturday night.

Hopefully as a question that makes sense.

As much as I want to enjoy it all, just can't do all day/night. I'd love to hit the party, but ideally I would prefer to just roll in the next day or so and pick some up. But with how recent releases went (hipster brunch) it seems like the crowds are clearing things out, rather than they last a few days.

 

Last year, we put our order in at 6AM and then came back at 11AM-ish when the 4Elf party started. The guy right in front of us paid his $5 got in and then asked for an order form. I have no idea how long this gentleman had to wait to pick up his order, but my recollection is that they process 100 orders per hour.

So orders 1-100 pick up at 11-12, 101-200 at 12-1, etc. This gives the DH staff/volunteers time to run your payment, find your shipment, and help you load your car. I thought it was actually pretty efficient.

But the question is, if you show up at 11AM on Saturday, what number are you? 500? 800? That I don't know, but I would suspect it is pretty high. You might have to plan on being there for at least 5 hours. Obviously, if you do show up just for Saturday you will probably miss on the limited releases (whatever those will be)

 

According to Facebook, over 1000 people have confirmed attendance (so I can imagine you can safely double that +); now how many of these attendees are there for beer vs. the actual party I don't know. I'm guessing they'll have more this year, but also an increased demand, meaning things run out in the same (or sooner) time frame...

 

I absolutely LOVE all this speculation! Very entertaining!

 

Talked with a brewer. It's an old picture.

 

Usually attendance is lower than Facebook events show. Tons of people say they are going so it goes in their calendar but never go. I said I was going on FB, but can't make it. So down to 999 now.

 

2015 BBA Plead the 5th: 1,281 cases/7,686 - 4 packs/30,744 bottles/368,928 ounces/2,882.25 gallons/92.9758 barrels - 2 case limit

2015 Rum BA 4 Elf Winter Warmer: 269 cases/1,614 - 4 packs/6,456 bottles/77,472 ounces/605.25 gallons/19.524 barrels - 3: 4 pack limit

2014 Vintage BBA Plead the 5th: 161.333 cases/968 - 4 packs/3,872 bottles/46,464 ounces/363 gallons/11.709 barrels - 2: 4 pack limit

2015 Double BA BourbRum Plead the 5th: 155.5 cases/933 - 4 packs/3,732 bottles/44,782 ounces/349.875 gallons/11.286 barrels - 2: 4 pack limit

2015 BBA Sarsaparilla 666 Stout: 167.5 cases/1005 - 4 packs/4,020 bottles/48,240 ounces/376.875 gallons/12.1572 barrels - 2: 4 pack limit

Please note: We don't want lines, but unfortunately we have to prepare for them. People will NOT be allowed to line-up until 7 am Friday morning in the Beer Garten when staff will be present.

 

2015 RELEASE INFO!

Alrighty Folks...here are the quantities and limits.

2015 BBA Plead the 5th: 1,281 cases/7,686 - 4 packs/30,744 bottles/368,928 ounces/2,882.25 gallons/92.9758 barrels - 2 case limit

2015 Rum BA 4 Elf Winter Warmer: 269 cases/1,614 - 4 packs/6,456 bottles/77,472 ounces/605.25 gallons/19.524 barrels - 3: 4 pack limit

2014 Vintage BBA Plead the 5th: 161.333 cases/968 - 4 packs/3,872 bottles/46,464 ounces/363 gallons/11.709 barrels - 2: 4 pack limit

2015 Double BA BourbRum Plead the 5th: 155.5 cases/933 - 4 packs/3,732 bottles/44,782 ounces/349.875 gallons/11.286 barrels - 2: 4 pack limit

2015 BBA Sarsaparilla 666 Stout: 167.5 cases/1005 - 4 packs/4,020 bottles/48,240 ounces/376.875 gallons/12.1572 barrels - 2: 4 pack limit

Please note: We don't want lines, but unfortunately we have to prepare for them. People will NOT be allowed to line-up until 7 am Friday morning in the Beer Garten when staff will be present.

Please be respectful to fellow party goers and staff, so we can all have one hell of a good time!!!

At 6:00 pm we will begin handing out numbered order forms with coordinating numbered bracelets and we will continue to do so throughout Friday night and all day Saturday. As soon as you fill out your order form, please hand it in to a staff member.

One order form per 21 years old and over body only.

Payment and Order Pick-Up will be at the eastern garage door of the Ridiculous Department (yellow pole building) off of Pearl Street. You must have bracelet for order payment and pick up.

Approximate pick-up times are as follows:
Time: Order #’s:
11:00 am 1 – 50
11:45 am 51 – 101
12:30 pm 102 – 152
1:15 pm 153 – 203
2:00 pm 204 – 254
2:45 pm 255 – 305
3:30 pm 306 – 356
4:15 pm 357 – 407
5:00 pm 408 – 458
5:45 pm 459 – 509
6:30 pm 510 – 560
7:15 pm 561 – 611
8:00 pm 612 – 662
8:45 pm 663 – 713
9:30 pm 714 – 764
10:15 pm 765 - INFINITY

Entrance to the 4 Elf Party this year will be at the Production Facility doors off of South Kalamazoo Ave. Doors open at 11:00 am.

We are looking forward to it...see you all soon!!!

 

Hmmmm, so less than last year by 500 cases. Bummer.
Good news though is that a lot of people can get everything!

 

Nice of DH not to raise the price of BBPt5. ~28% less BBPt5 this year. Not likely to be available for days later this year.

 

Yeah, kind of amazed 500 cases less... That is a significant drop when other breweries are amping up all the releases.

 

Yeah, 12,000 bottles less. That's s lot of beer. Now I'm not sure when I'll be showing up.

 

Less cases yet there will be plenty to go around.