Darklord Day 2017

I tend to spend the majority of my time in the big tent share. After a while in there I could really care less about the taps as I'm feeling really good. Maybe I'll switch it up a bit this year and hit up a few more taps.

 

Last two years were jam packed in that big tent because of all the rain so I just decided to hang by the taps. Never seen a variant. About the best FFF beer I've seen on tap was BA Blot out the Sun.

 

Which was the original name for Dark Lord Day.

 

You just have to hang out at a tap tent and hope for good luck. Patience is key. My friends and I were able to try BVDL, Bourbon, Dwarven Power Bottom, Muerte, and Aquavit last year. But I made it a point to not drink anything once inside the festival except for tap variants that way I didn't pass out and die.

 

Yeah, it's been packed in there but it wasn't as bad on the inside as it looked from the outside. I was able to walk around in there and turn around without my overstuffed backpack so much as grazing someone. The dryness factor made it that much more appealing. Plus being able to sit down at a picnic table was nice.

 

Last year, I was fortunate to be picking up my beer at the variant tap station when the taps switched from Ronaldo to Handjee so I got both at once. I had to leave the festival soon after so I shared what I picked up with those around me in line.

 

Also, there isn't one specific tent. Variants can pop up at any FFF beer tent.

 

I was able to try Aquavit last year, but that's it!

 

I got to try Bourbon BA in 2015, but that is the only variant I have seen in the 3 years I have gone. But I am pretty chill about it. I get a beer, and when my beer is gone I get another.

 

Dwarven Power Bottom was tapped while I was in line, but was gone instantly so I wasn't able to get a taste. I'd say the best tapped beer I saw that I was able to try was Firestone Parabajava.

My share game was not strong last year, still got some great pours, planning to do a better job this year so I don't have to dish out a ton of cash for taps when somebody is likely carrying around the same open bottle.

 

It is 100% luck. Even if you get in line immediately when they tap a variant it will be gone before you get to the front. You just have to get in line and see if there is one available by the time you get up to order. It is probably easier near the end when everyone is passed out or gone, but I've never made it that far myself.

 

Maybe there is a shortage of bottled variants because they are going to go nuts tapping them at DLD. I'm drooling already...

 

This guy with the funnies.

 

It's all luck. I saw a variant on draft for the first time last year. I just happened to be walking by at the right time when muerte went on, and then a few hours later, power bottom. The previous 3 years I never once saw a variant, though luckily a couple guys in my group happened to get some.

Best advice is try to keep one of the FFF draft stations in view of where you set up camp. Once you see a rush of people, head over, because something good just got tapped.

 

Last year my buddies and I happened to end up in one of the tap lines and Handjee was going. The keg blew just as soon as we got through the line...supremely disappointing. At least some nice fellows who were way ahead of us let us have a try of it. I saw Muerte on tap last year as well

 

Agreed. Was lucky to try regular DL last year on draft.

 

Were they all at the same location or was it random tap stations.

 

Not that it matters, but do you remember what time of day that was?

 

would you happen to remember more or less what time those were tapped? i know it's random and won't mean much for this year but i'm curious. i didn't notice when any variants were tapped last year.

 

Random