Chicagoland Suburbs - Special Releases

I'm trying the peach/apricot version right now and I like it. Probably more apricot than peach with a nice dry finish, not too tart.

 

Pretty sure this goes right about here...

 

Anyone going to Open Bottles Black Friday event, wondering what time people will start lining up. Might try this year

 

I did last year. I wanna say I was in line by 5:15ish give or take. I was around 40th in line with them opening at 7. I asked if people knew when the first person lined up. It was definitely the night before. Maybe 11pm? Had a food truck and porta-potty. People were friendly. Got a pour of '16 BCBCS once I walked in the door which was a major bonus - and looks like they'll have '17 BCBCS on tap again this year. I only got 1 regular and 1 barley. I missed Prop by maybe a half dozen or so. I missed coffee by a lot. IIRC I could've bought '15 Rare, but passed and the guy behind me did. Could've bought a glass but passed. I went straight to Jewel down Harlem and scored another 5 regular right when they opened at 8. Only me and one other Ba were there, but the liquor employee knew exactly what was up.

So this year I'm just going LP. One of our family's is out of state and the wife has approved my leave of absence for a good part of the day. Also, my Binny's downstate is getting the shaft - no Prop (not unusual), no Reserve, and almost no Coffee. I'd rather just acquire all in one swoop rather than run around and piece things together from trading. I had fun at the OB release last year though. I'll also be in a different burby this year come Friday.

 

Thanks for the info, I was thinking around 5am this year but definitely not all night. Might try the Jewel thing, would like to get a bottle or two but can't spend a ton of time on it. I live in Palos so both relatively close.

 

That's where my family is, but they ditched me for warmer pastures this Thanksgiving. Which means I get to go to LP. So It all works out.

You probably have, but check out the Jewel info. I'm pretty sure OP Jewel is an "event" location. Lots of Jewels between OB and Palos will have it. I was in and out and home by 8:30 since OB event was at 7am.

 

I talked to Patrick later that week and asked how the event went and what time people started lining up. He said the first person was there at 11:45 pm the night before.

I just can't bring myself to do that for beer. More power to you if that's your thing. Though it looks like they're tapping 2017 BCBS Coffee. Wouldn't mind getting a pour of that to start the day.

 

I think OP Jewel is where I'll be, hopefully not a ton of people.

 

At my local Meijer (Round Lake Beach) they had a display of a Perrin holiday pack featuring 1 No Rules & 1 Malted Milk Ball with a Perrin glass for $25. May have to go back and get another.

 

Saw this in the south burbs too

 

Damn. Open Bottle has a killer taplist right now. Epic Whiskey barrel barley wine, Hop Butcher BB Columbian, Vlad Raspberry, Nitro Straight Jacket, and Rum Jumbie.

 

They have cases of Rum Jumbie on the floor too

 

Anyone make to Open Bottle? Just wondering how it was , how crowded? Never made it to Jewel as planned due to work. Hopefully all went well

 

About 75 people in line, allocations were first 5 people got 2 regular and 5 variants (variants could be from 2017 or vintages from 2016 lineup, 2015 BCS or Rare, and regular 2014). 6-25 got 2 regular 4 variants. 26-50 got 1 regular 3 variants, and 51+ got 1 regular 1 variant which was BW at that point.

Free posters, BCS glazed donuts, Sofie mimosas for everyone in line and $4 BCS snifters

 

Picked one up at the Mokena location over the weekend. They had 2 left. Really good deal but my bank account needs a break. Bigly.

 

Regular or mini snifters?

 

Mini snifters

 

Nice. Any idea if they’re still for sale?

 

All gone

 

FYI, BA Big Hugs 2016 is still on draft at The Open Bottle