Half Acre (2019)

Agree. I walked outside, heard that shit, laughed for a moment and walked right back inside. I know some like it, but that style doesn’t really fit the day. Maybe we are the minority though.

 

I dunno. I had a great time; did I go a little DEEF from that first band? Yes. Were they good? Yes, far better than that "REM that doesn't care" closer or head-liner band. My opinion only of course, but what a great event. Well organized; highlight for me was that Amaro Hut.
Banana (Benthic? Big Hugs? can't remember) was a surprise too. Oh, and Loire Hut.
Cheers all -

 

Notes from '19 Big North:

- All the Loam beers are fantastic. Kept going back for more. I wanted to mix the Strawberry and Rhubarb but my timing was bad so both were not available at the same time.

- Even though they are not a traditional Kolsch, I loved both beers. Evening Star was so damn good for an interesting take on a dark Kolsch. I wish they brought back the hoppy Kolsch from last year.

- Crazy ass lines for the variants but I had Vanilla, Banana and Nutella Rising Ghost. Vanilla was way too vanilla forward but it did taste like a vanilla malt milkshake which kind of saved it for me. Banana had that nice ripe banana flavor on the front end but nothing to be desired on the finish. Nutella was the best one. Tasted like pudding in a glass. If they combined Banana and Nutella that would be a wonderful variant.

- Slushies were a super hard pass. Tried the Big North and Oreo slushie and man did they taste like ass.

- Tap room beers last year had nice gems but this years were nothing to write home about. I feel there was a better beer selection all around at last years Big North.

-Scavenger hunt was a huge disappointment. Once you scored a pin to gain access to the special area, I expected to have some gems but the beers they offered were not worth it.

 

I attended the first Big North, but missed the last 2 years, so was happy to be able to go again this year. I liked: Crown Hut, Oreo Benthic, Logue, Hazelnut Rising Ghost, 2019 Benthic. Things I didn't like: Banana Benthic, lines, the heat inside, and the food (I really did not like that bratwurst...very bland).

Overall, a good time, mostly getting a chance to hang out with good people drinking good beers. Just not sure it's something I feel like it's a "must do" at the price point.

 

What were the beers in there? We gave up after the tree.

 

Big North was ok. I've been going to the summer parties for a long time and this was the first one that I didn't feel great about. It could be that Half Acre throws such good parties that I have high expectations. The timed tappings made me feel like I was a slave to that area and I didn't get to explore as much as usual. I much prefer just randomly tapping variants at all different stations. Music is subjective but I didn't like many of the bands. The year with Twin Peaks was so much better and all those bands brought great energy. Food was pretty boring. There were no activities like throwing axes or tattoos which I always thought set the event apart from a normal beer fest. Merch seemed kind of limited. I really like the glass we got this year. What happened to that pickup truck full of beer they used to have in the middle? I just feel like all those cool little things they used to do really set the event apart.

 

Based on what I'm seeing here, it sounds like the Big North is in danger of jumping the shark (in terms of being that rare non-overcrowded fest with great beer) before I'm ever able to make one. That's a shame, if so.

This was probably inevitable, but I feel for people if their chill event is turning into a more typical mass of beer nerds.

 

Beer fests grow and grow and there is always a "this was better when x was y way". I'm sure HA will listen to feedback and adjust accordingly. It took like 10 years to get DLD dialed in.

 

I think Far & Away shit on Big North. If I had to pick just one, its F&A when it returns next year

 

not even a question, but the 2 fests aren't very comparable.

and rest assured, F&A will be a gigantic shitshow next year. i would be so happy to eat my own words, but they truly captured lightning in a bottle and that level of awesomeness will never be repeated again.

 

I'd argue DLD still falls under "shitshow," unless the last few years saw a huge reduction in lines (I haven't been since 2016). Otherwise, I get what you mean.

Shhh man, I'm hoping to go to F&A, and am worried it'll be a--

damnit man

 

I volunteered to work the fest. Had a blast.

I worked the large outside station on the east end that all the variants were poured at. I worked 4 to 6:30, many you guys drink a lot of beer Got 13,000 steps in....

We were allowed to serve the variants from both sides of the tent, I think most folks got wise to that around the time the banana was served.

Besides the variants, the Big North Peach, the various lagers and the Double Daisy were big. Really all the beers had people asking for them.

First band made it very hard to hear beer orders, glad when they stopped.....

I didn't have one surly customer as everyone seemed to be in a good mood.

Hopefully if I served you, I got you the right beers.

I think I will do it again next year.

 

The blend was really good. Strawberry was still better. So much expressive ripe strawberry Character... really enjoyed it and Black Raspberry Loam, Pennon, Lunar Form, Cay Hut, and a few other of the mixed culture beers that im forgetting

Port Barrel Aged Orin was the beer of the night for me. Seemed like it lasted a long time too, as I was able to get several pours without much hassle. *looks over at Benthic line*

I missed the first Benthic pour, but the rest were forgettable compared to other versions in the past.

Didnt mind the first band and liked a few of the others. It was a bit crowded and the lines were the longest theyve ever been. Hoping they sell a little less tickets next year. but all in all it was still a fun time.

 

Bump.

Anybody else get the email about Alive in its Jaws dropping on Friday? And Wand?

 

No. Do tell.

 

THREE BEER FRIDAY:

WAND Double IPA is back.
7.8% ABV - Jungle pine sap rock candy ~ hold it in your hand and feel the thrum.
Available in our shop + taprooms, with distribution next week in IL, New York City, Philly, parts of Wisconsin and a small drop in Colorado.

Alive In Its Jaws DIPA makes a return this week.
8.5% ABV - Double Dry Hop of Galaxy, Sabro, Citra & Amarillo. Dense stone fruit, blended citrus, guava marshmallow body, and graham cracker malt presence.
Only available in our shop and taprooms.

Fen Mixed Culture Wheat Lager debuts from the Wyld Cove.
5% ABV
Light funk, noble hop presence, lemon rind and medium acid.
Only available in our shop and taprooms.

 

That new mixed culture sounds delicious!

 

I'm not familiar with Half Acre releases... would you expect any of those three beers to sell out today, or should they stick around to tomorrow? I'm thinking of making the drive up and swinging by Half Acre, PW, and Une Annee.

 

No