2017 FOBAB

What are "All these little perks" you speak of? I see you get early admission to 3 festivals and the right to buy a fobab ticket early. That isn't much to brag about.

 

Really? In every thead, their is that one fella who always has to challenge a particular statement/opinion. If you dont agree, it takes much less effort to not challenge or say anything, right? Regardless, I wouldn't qualify my post as bragging in the least. I actually believe the early VIP admission for an hour at the best barrel aged fest of the year is, to me, on its own merit worth $50. My overall point seemed to elude you.....and it was with all the money we all spend in the craft beer scene, $50 for the aformentioned FOBAB offer and early entrance to other beer fests is really not a bad deal. To each his own though....

 

I wasn't challenging you and it would be the brewers guild doing the bragging, not you. There actually used to be more perks (annual magazine subscription, annual imbibe party free to members). They took all that way and now you just get to pay $50 to get in early with nothing else. I was hoping there was something I was missing. You made it sound like there was so much more.

 

Didnt mean to come of hostile man. Ha. Yeah, it would be nice if their was, for sure. But man, something about not having to deal with the crazy goose island lines for a full hour (and go search out other amazing beers) seems so appealing to me. But, whats ironic is I paid the $50 subscription, to have the right to purchase early, which is another $70 or more, but now I actually am thinking I may want to volunteer. Get in for free. Ha. Hindsight I tell ya

 

They KEY is to work Friday night during the VIP serrsion and the attend the Saturday night session with no VIP. And to work Ice Crew. You taste all the whales during the VIP hour becuase no ice has melted yet and then you get to avoid the massive line on Saturday night to get in as well. I agree though. It can be slightly unorganized but its run pretty friggen well. My only complaint is there is no solid plan for set up and tear down. If they got that worked out it would be money.

 

I'm glad to see some talk of the 'perks' associated with the Imbibe membership. Depending on your situation, early access to a couple of beer festivals may, or may not, be worth the money.

 

For IMBIBE members, when is pre sale for VIP fobab tickets? Will there be an email notice sent? Just was curious since I just signed up for the $50 membership a few days ago.

 

This was the e-mail I got on the 8th, so it looks like the info should be out at the end of this month:


2017 FoBAB is being announced this week! Save the date, November 10th, and 11th.

If you haven't purchased a 2017 membership yet, your 2016 membership expires this month.

2017 FoBAB presale information will be going out at the end of the month and we don't want you to miss out on this opportunity.

To purchase a 2017 membership, please visit www.illinoisbeer.org/imbibe.

Cheers,
Team ICBG

 

Wow, they really have whittled down the benefits for Imbibe to become essentially a way to give you a better shot at a Fobab ticket and early access....back in the day you could at least get discounts around town at various breweries for having an Imbibe membership card. Saving 10% at Half Acre was no joke....

 

Yeah, it seems their used to be more perks sadly. Sure day of fobab I will feel better about this though ha

 

For those that attended before. Is there a VIP session for both Friday and Saturday or just for Friday?

 

Both

 

Thanks. Do you know if the whalez are the same for both or is there a list that comes out showing what is being served each day?

 

Same exact beer for all 3 sessions.

 

Cool. Thanks for the info.

 

Yep. Just so you are prepared, it's SUPER crowded.

 

I'm thinking about doing the VIP Saturday afternoon session. So hopefully it's not too bad. I'm assuming that the Saturday night session is the busiest.

 

The VIP session was super crowded??? Or are you referring to the general sessions?

 

Since we're talking crowds and I'm a first timer who will not be getting an IMBIBE membership...has it made any difference which session you attend in the past? Or equally crowded regardless?

 

General sessions.