Dark Lord Day 2016

Unless you're dead set on getting VBDL, I'd avoid trying to get group A to ensure you get tickets. I was able to drink it on tap last year and still won a different variant while in group C. Or, if you're main goal is to get VBDL to subsequently trade....then you probably need to roll the dice.

 

last year was only their second year there....but it was set up much better than the previous year. And even with that, they still had some long ass lines during the day. I assume they'll only get better again this year.

 

I got there late last year (4:30 or 5), and by then there was pretty easy access, which was nice. And because of the weather, they still had almost everything hours later. Agreed that they get better each year.

 

So, is it pretty difficult to get pours of the DL variants (in particular VBDL)? I'm assuming that the lines are long to get pours, but as long as I'm able to get them, and have another beer in hand while waiting, I don't mind the line aspect.

 

It was easy in 2013 and 2014 if you paced yourself; however, 2015 was harder. Even with the rain, there seemed to be a ton more people in line for beer at every station. It was also the first year that the BA DL appeared at every FFF station, which may have had something to do with it. Regardless, there is amazing beer everywhere so you won't be disappointed with any station's tap list.

 

Went for the first time 2 years ago. Wanted one of those Dark Matter bombers they had said would be released in certain increments throughout the day at certain times. Stood in line for maybe an hour, triple checked I was in the merchandise line because they had 2 side by side. Timed it literally perfectly for the next bottle(and what I thought snifter release) to have them tell me they sold out everything early in the day instead of staggering the releases. I was pretty bummed after wasting that time so I felt I needed to buy something so I purchased a growler of one of the espressos. Then realized later that being coffee, it doesn't have the proper surgeon's warning on it and can't get it filled with beer anywhere. Avoided the coffee entirely last year lol

Also was GA so I literally came home with a growler of espresso and nothing else because everything left at the bottle shoppe area, I could easily find around here. This sounds like a complaint, but its just meant to relay my experience with the coffee. The event is amazing.

 

I managed to never see BA DL on tap last year (I was there during the evening). Not saying that means anything, just saying that if your timing is bad, or if you get there later on, it can happen.

 

I'm not dead set on VBDL but who honestly doesn't want a bottle. Id rather avoid the last 2 sessions so pretty much have limited myself to wanting A, B or C.

 

2 Years ago it wasn't that bad of a wait, I guess I just happened to be in line at the right time. I had the opportunity to get 2 pours of it (VBDL) but only grabbed 1 so someone else wouldn't miss out.

 

Guest tap lines were at least double if not triple the size two years ago compared to last year. I never waited more than a couple minutes for a beer in 2015 when it was 10-15+ at times in 2014.

 

I had VBDL, Coffee Congac DL, Bourbon DL, Aquavit DL, and 2 year Brandy DL on draft last year, lines weren't too bad...

 

So DLD is also the FFF 20th anniversary party? Anyone else see that graphic on the etix reminder email?

 

Guest taps yes, but we were talking about FFF beer lines.

 

FFF beers can also be found in the guest tap lines...

 

Speaking from my experience last year, later in the day was the way to.....the quality of DL on tap is not correlated with time of day. Meaning, they don't put all the good stuff out earlier in the day.

Some of the beer lines were long....some were not. All depending on where the tents were located within the festival. Dumb luck has more to do with it than anything.....

 

Yes, but BA DL variants have never been at the guest taps, which is what I was originally referring to.

 

That's what I've heard (haven't experienced it, but still) in terms of BA DL timing. With that being said, I thought a lot of the good guest taps kicked earlier in the day; is that something people can confirm or deny?

 

This would be my take regarding DL variants on tap as well as the guest taps.

 

My experience would confirm this. The major guest taps are more earlier in the day.....BA DL exempt from that

 

2012-2014 had all the goodies tapped throughout the day/night. I remember getting CBS at 9 pm in 2012 and getting Napa County BCBS at 9 pm in 2013. I left at 7 in 2014, but was able to get a pour of BVDL and Brandy DL between 5 and 6. Last year, the rarer stuff definitely seemed to have been tapped earlier, but maybe it was due to the rain?