2016 BCBS Chicago Release (Black Friday & Beyond)

I don't know. I use an app or just my knowledge of the area to park since I live about 1.5 miles away. Check out Binnys Black Friday. log posts for recommendations on where to park if you do drive down. I have to believe if you are coming to Binnys Thursday night prior to 11pm you should be able to park in their lot, but who knows from one year to the other?

 

I'm not sure about this year. Last year I parked behind the binnys around midnight with no problems. Even pulled the car up to my spot and chilled for a while.

My basic rule of thumb for that was there were several other cars doing the same thing, giving me time to come back from the bathroom to the other cars getting towed.(if that would happen)

 

BBBBBBBB......pull up your trousers, son, and be a true bourbon county MAN!

 

Unless you have windproof, waterproof outerwear.....

 

For those debating when to get in line to score some of the better vintage bottles, if you can't get in line by Thanksgiving night (say, 9 or 10 PM), it's probably not worth getting in line super early.

I got there a little after 1am last year, was #600ish in line, and the only vintage bottles available to me were 2014 coffee and older regular (IIRC, I grabbed a 2011 and 2012 bottle of regular). If I would've known that I could have gotten in line 6 hours later and basically still had the same result, I would've never bothered camping out.

Weather wasn't crazy cold last year, but it was rainy, which sucked if you weren't in a tent (I had a chair, a poncho, and an umbrella). It was fine, and I don't regret going, but I probably wouldn't go that early again.

 

That's the great thing about this event, dude.....sometimes one year to the next just doesn't simply matter. Weather doesn't look good overnight so my assumption is that it will keep some folks away who are not prepared or simply do not have the intestinal fortitude to stick it out until they subside in the early morning hours hopefully.

 

Reading some of these posts about pulling cars around, etc requires a Black Friday public service announcement.

Black Friday PSA #201 - For those planning to wait in line overnight at Binny's, setting a chair/tent out in the line and then waiting, sleeping or 'taking breaks' in your car is not being in line. If one cannot tolerate sitting in a chair/tent for a number of hours then perhaps waiting in line for a number of hours isn't for you. Any unoccupied chair/tent can either be moved to the end of the line or disposed of properly. Short breaks to use the porta-potty can be considered. Thank you.

 

In my defense there was a sizable pond formed from the rain, that flooded my entire spot, and I wasn't going to encroach another's spot? I'll go with that.

 

Sorry for the likely repeat question, but what time do they hand out tickets at Binnys LP?

 

I assume you are talking about those who stake their claim and then leave for hours on end. If so, I agree. But If I take a few minutes to warm up in my car or get something to drink, etc. which is in the trunk of my car parked in the binny's lot or close by, I guarantee those next to me in line will not have a problem with that since they will end up doing the same thing.

 

Never really understood where people come up with these "rules". Have fun with that.

Would say that anyone who got there early enough to park their car at Binnys utilized it at some point in the night. Not one person cared or said anything.

 

I want to say it was 8am last year but someone can correct me if I'm wrong

 

Depends on what you need to function, and also whether you're someone capable of sleeping in less than stellar conditions. For me, I prefer sleeping if I can, so last year we did the tent strategy, complete with sleeping bags. However, as hard as I tried, I probably only got maybe 2 or 3 hours of mostly interrupted sleep. Initial temps were great, but once that rain moved in, it got all cold and damp, and the ground was just too uncomfortable despite the sleeping bags. But hey, it was still a fun little experience, and I felt pretty decent after just laying a few hours with my eyes closed.

Yeah, something like that. 8 or 8:30a.

 

So what happens if you show up after tickets are handed out. Just follow the line? I am trying to show up around 8:30-8:45, hopefully get the standard allotment and be on my way.

 

Yup. They likely will still be passing out tickets before you get in line.

 

Don't be. Anything pre-2012 has turned the corner at this point. If you really enjoy flat, flavorless BCBS, then 2011 and earlier may be your thing...

 

Hey guys,

I know it may be off the topic, but has anyone tasted this year's BCBBW at FoBAB? If so, how did it turn out? I'm normally not a big fan of Barley Wine so... yep.

 

I did. I remember it being incredibly hot. Other than that, nothing jumped out at me.

 

Last year I got to the castle around 10-10:30 after hitting my local guys. Got a full allotment with rare. There were still quite a bit of previous year options too. Line was like 10 minutes. Most had already been through a few times.

 

What is the point of the tickets?