Darkness Day 2014 Thread

On their website last year, they asked that no one show up until 3:30 on Friday as a courtesy to the local businesses.

 

That settles it. Thanks.

 

Several dogs were present last year, ranging from tiny to big beautiful Berner. If he's a well behaved dog it shouldn't be any problem.

 

Don't bring too much beer (unless you do some IP trades or what not). I made the mistake of bringing way too much last year, ended up hauling it all they way back from my spot in line back to car. Also, bring a small taster to drink beer out of for the Friday bottle share. A snifter or bigger glass invites bigger pours. It's a marathon, not a sprint!

 

Great advice.

 

I was just looking back at the beginning of the thread and it seems the line gets longer every year. With this year's version being BA I can't imagine that it will get any better. I plan on taking Friday off and getting there between 3:00-3:30 PM. Ideally I'd like to get 3 bottles. Does that seem like an attainable goal to all of you?

 

Unless they change the way they sell, you can purchase 6 bottles. If you are there when the line is allowed to start, you'll have no problem.

 

Thanks for the advice. I'm looking forward to coming out.

 

Sounds good. I know six is the limit, really just looking for three. One for my vertical and two to drink later.

 

NEIN! The line has not gotten longer every year! Or if it has, not exponentially like so many other beer events.

Last year the line mushroomed immediately last year...there were probably 500 people in line by 5PM or so, but the inrush slowed after that. We had two friends show up around 9:30 AM on Saturday (if hung-over memory serves) & rec'd wrist bands right away. Everyone in line originally got their allotment, & plenty of people who just showed up that morning got theirs, too. But since '08 I believe the earliest the last wristband has been given out was about 7:30 AM. So arriving at 3:30 PM on Friday will put you in the first half of the line, surely.

With barrel-aging this year, perhaps 2014 is finally the year the insanity reaches D-Day...but I sure hope not.

 

Last couple years, it's been possible to walk in as the line was being processed and get a wristband. 2012 Surly even tweeted about walk-in wristband availability after the gates had opened and music had started.

Barrel-aging throws all that ease of the last couple years out the window, as far as I'm concerned.

 

I doubt that. Remember that not everyone is as nutty as the people who hang around here. The average Surly drinker is no more or less likely to get up at the ass-crack of dawn to get Darkness, barrel-aged or not. It will probably draw in a few more beer geeks around the region who were on the fence before, but considering Surly has ramped up production every year, I believe there'll be a few more people than last year, but not a ton.

Of course, we're both just talking out our asses. What I know for certain is that the weather will play a much bigger role in the crowds that the barrels! Really cold, rain, snow, sleet, any of those will really keep the crowds at bay. I'm hoping for a good nor'easter.

 

Would love a COLD night! With the amount of Darkness on tap around the cities, that does keep some people away. It seems like it is always on somewhere. At least for the bottle buying.

 

You gotta realize that 75% of the people out there won't actually realize that it is BA this year. I don't expect the line to be that much crazier. Yes, d-day is growing every year, but I don't think it being BA will make it insanely crazy.

*75% is just my estimate. I figure there is a good number of surly homers that just drink surly to be cool or whatever.

 

I'm fine with inclement weather. I've got layers, thermal gear etc. Plus plenty of high ABV beers. Bring it.

 

Shut your damn mouth! We need another day like 2010.

 

YOU need a day like 2010.

 

2010 was my first year, and it was real easy to get in early and it felt a lot more intimate. I'd love for another day like that, but the craft beer scene is far bigger now. Better weather, too, for sure

 

Last year the "average" Surly drinkers were nearly outnumbered by teams of hoarder circle jerkers buying six bottles in groups of 6 then selling them on CL. You can tell yourself that BA Darkness won't be a shit show but prepare for it, cuz it's happening. Mules galore last year, watch it double this year.

 

The day will be what it would have ever been without us skipping rocks across the sea of possibilities. I will be there Friday, I will fish for more things to be interested in than against, and I will leave drunk and mumbling about that "One guy..you remember.. man that was awesome.." Leave your pessimistic attitude elsewhere, this is one the best two days in one of the best brew states around. Turn that frown upside down, its Darkness Day bitch!!