D-Day Bottle Share and overnight planning

Lets see...where do I start?

I have obligations tomorrow,so I chose to drop by today after work. I've fought the internal battle many times this month, from sticking around tonight, to showing up in the AM, to the 4:30 thing...well, tonight was probably it.But for that, I give profuse thanks.

The line was well over a hundred deep, with traffic cops at the T intersection as I left at 5:30.But I finally put a face to biglobo, met Michael Berglund and participated in the meat smoking for the troops at Surly brewing, among other things. Sampled some great beers and greater conversation. It will be something....come Saturday morning.

I may grab a few bottles when it hits local stores, or not. Call me an old fart, jaded, lazy, or far from the pulse of craft beer, but I have to keep repeating "Its only beer" and respect that. Or maybe thats a lame excuse.

But it sure is fun and rewarding. Ain't no hobby like the beer world. Keep it up, fellas. As well as the updates to follow!

 

Camped out at the limited beer release tent, come say hi

 

I'll wait for your text around noon, Brian. Well-rested and sober is the way to go for me, too.

The first 4 years I got off work early and went home to sleep for a few hours, woke up in time to get there around 5 or 6 AM. Last year I had to work until 3 am, didn't want to risk sleeping too late, staying up, had breakfast and coffee, got there around 6 near the tail end of 1200, still crazy. But lack of sleep and tons of samples did my brain in. Turned into the silly drunken mess too soon.

 

I have no idea what that means.

 

20 people in line at 4:30 was 2007. It just incrementally bigger every year to, say, 300 in line at 6 am, then 500, then 800, then last year, 1200 by 7 am.

It definitely makes me wonder why Stub and Herb's would continue to do the Darkness Eve event, when you have to stake your claim in line before midnight to make the effort worthwhile. I guess if you go in the afternoon, then head straight to Surly, but who does that?

 

So how cold is it out up there..... This is where great trading partners come into play....
My bed is so warm and comfortable... Went to plenty of other beer releases cant go to everything. I am sure its a blast

 

It's cold enough to be a little annoying (mid 30's). Glad I'm sitting in my easy chair sipping on a white russian at this point...

 

I guess those extra hundreds or so came between 4:30 and 6:00 am.

 

Fantastic time tonight, and I'm looking forward to coming back tomorrow. I am glad I have my nice warm bed to crawl into, but I can't say enough wonderful things about the awesome people I met tonight and the great tasting beers I got to try. Thank you all!

 

Will do. See you tomorrow.

 

Current estimate on number of people in line and/or how far the line is stretched? Just out of curiosity. Looking forward to showing up at 430pm tomorrow to see the horde of drunken and sleep deprived masses. Hopefully I can snag a bottle or two.

 

Only 12 hours until gates open! Drink up kids!

 

Best night ever so far

 

Turtle and the hare my friend. Don't be "that guy" passed out in your camp chair at 11am.

 

If you aren't here already, you may be out of luck.

 

#1 of line?

 

First time there, just got home (gotta work tomorrow). So many crazy beers to be had. The sharing and generosity tonight was simply amazing. Big thanks to all. Loved it.

 

Wristbands are going out now.

 

Super bummed I couldn't make it (long story); hope everyone made it thru the cold night ok, & scored wristbands. If anyone in town has a BA hoppin frog pumpkin and is interested in an IP trade, I have available: 2012 BCBS, 2012 KBS, Syx, hoppin' frog double pumpkin, daves brewfarm citra, curmudgeon, ten fidy...

Cheers!

Mike

 

Thanks for the gloves......old fart...