Stone Oakquinox list up

The cascade brews stole the show. We actually asked our waitress to pour us full glasses, do the math for the price in tasters and we would pay it. Unfortunately, we weren't allowed to so we were ordering honey ginger lime 5 tastings at once. Orange sorbet and strawberries and cream were also incredible as was consecration batch 2.

 

I agree with djaeon about getting food. When i went to the first oakquinox we forgot to eat any food as we went on a brewery tour instead (2 of the people I was with had never been), and we drank the free beer at the end. Big mistake.

Also, for food, I would make a reservation at the restaurant. Yes the food is pricey there, but festival food is also expensive and not nearly as filling. I recommend the mushroom penne, very good and filling.

 

The festival food sucks, is a ripoff, and runs out hours early.

 

I feel like the food is a similar strategy to concert or sport venue food. Over priced because you have no other choice. Only difference is Stone uses duck instead of chicken in their burritos. If switching to chicken or getting rid of some of the unnecessary fancy ingredients would bring the price down or allow for bigger portions I am all for it. We are at a beer festival, we need food not hor d'oeuvres. And all of this is coming from a fan of Stone in general including the bistro.

 

The way they do it BS too - cold, hardened duck tacos cooked 19 hours ago, not even heated.

 

My experience with the duck burritos is different from these guys.

But +1 to getting a table reservation at the Bistro. Best thing we did last festival.

 

I believe that last year their kitchen was still under renovations. It seemed they cooked a lot of stuff in advance, and wasn't very good. I remember being very sad about the chips. It was MUCH better at the Pour it Black festival. I think since their kitchen was finished, they were able to cook fresher food.

 

I find it insane that people could not be impressed by this list. Kinda beer-snobbish in a way. I think it is a solid list for a beer festival. Sure there is nothing crazy rare, but there are a TON of very tasty beers on that list. And $45 is a damn good price IMO. I wish I could go to this, but won't be able to get off work.

 

$45 for 2 bombers worth ( 45oz ) of average BA beer that I had before is not worth it. The good beers ( it will be 1 of the bottle lines, they make sure to put all of the most popular bottles in the same line ) generally have 30 minute lines, for 3oz.

 

Lmao at people complaining about the food prices yet gladly pay $45 for a bunch of tasters


(I love the duck burrito, except when it sells out by noon)

 

I think that is why you are seeing a bunch of people back out. I was gladly going in the past because there were a lot of beers I had not and most likely would not be able to try again. Now that doesn't seem to be the case. I am not saying the line up is necessarily weaker, but now more places have these beers available, plus I am able to try them at tastings, trades, etc. So to try these beers I don't need to spend the $45 + food cost. When was the last time something unique came from RR or LA?

The food prices are never a reason for me to go or not. Like I said, I prefer spending more in the restaurant. I enjoyed the food the first few festivals, but it seems the portions are getting smaller, the quality is dropping, and the prices have remained the same or gone up. Can we please have the sausage on a giant roll caked with onions and peppers again, all for what was it $6. That was what I always went for.