So now that tickets have gone on sale, I'm trying to decide if I can pony up $100 for the VIP event- sounds epic, but wondering what it includes- FaceBook event is a litttle vague. Is ArdyExfor still active in here? Looked at old posts that he provided a ton of good detail for (not sure how to tag people). Either way, would love to get a conversation going- this will be my first time attending. Anyone who's been- how's it compare, especially crowds wise, to Dark Arts?
Went to Oakshire for Zwickelmania and they talked about the VIP Hellshire event. If I remember right, it includes a dinner/special tasting/special bottle the evening before (Hellshire variant, not available otherwise), plus tickets and early entrance to Hellshire Day. Maybe a couple other perks, too. I remember thinking it sounded like a damn good deal.
I haven't ever been to Dark Arts, so I can't help you compare. However, I have gone to Hellshire the past 4 years, and didn't think the crowd was too bad. I've always gotten there at opening bell, so take that into account. I've heard it can get a bit crowded later in the afternoon, but can't say from actual experience. For the most part, there really aren't any long lines for any of the beers (other than for the keg of Hunahpu last year), so that's a plus. Shrug. Hellshire day is an outstanding, very fun event that I can't recommend enough. I'm pretty sure you'll be favorably impressed.
Beer buyer at my local market said he went to Dark Arts this year and after the "vip/special" entry time was over and the full event got going he said it was EXTREMELY crowded.. Great beer obviously, but the somewhat mellow early days of that event seem to be over. Cats out of the bag.
Agreed. I've been to all of them and never had an issue with crowds. Except for the aforementioned Hunaphu line (didn't wait in that one), I've never had more than one or two people in front of me. One X factor this year is the date. The previous years have been in February/March, which has made for some cold & wet fests. The May date this year may influence crowd size, as the weather is almost certain to be better. That's just speculation on my part though.
And we begin. Hellshire Day prep is in full swing. I'll have a full brewery list by the end of March. We are hoping that May will be better for the weather. No torrential down-pouring and freezing temps would be lovely. As with last year tickets are available online and at the pub( $30 in advance $35 day of festival) We do have a max tickets amount though we have not hit that number in the past 2 years. If we are getting close to selling out I will post that on here and it will get to social media as well. Festival is from 12pm-8pm. Glassware will be :http://www.rastal.com/96.0.en.151.html?PHPSESSID=280440622ce5e1956d0f775497e85ec3 (as always etched with this years logo) Hellshire VII is a Russian Imperial Stout aged in freshly dumped bourbon barrels for a year. I'll have exact stats as to the beer once the beer is fully blended. However barrels have tested between 13.9% and 15.2% so this is a big freaking beer and deeply complex. It's pretty awesome. On Friday night (May 5th) is the return of the Hellshire Experience night. Tickets are $100. As it is Cinco de Mayo food will be catered by the awesome Navarro's Latin Creole Kitchen. VIP access into the festival from 11am-12pm before the rest of the ticket holders, as special version of above posted glassware specially made for the experience night. Music from Tug and the Heartstings (awesome Gypsy Jazz and Flamenco), hanging out with me ect.... Ohh yea and the beer. As will last year we are bringing back the experience bottle. Last year was Hellshire VI: Single Barrel Reserve- Single Rittenhouse Rye barrel Once we blended Hellshire VI last year I immediately barreled it back down into a single brandy barrel, where it has been aging for the last year. the beer is an absolute stunner as it is right now. Again as the experience night is on May 5th it only made sense to turn this into the Especial Version of Hellshire (cocoa nibs, vanilla beans, cinnamon, coffee, peppers) So Double Barrel Especial- 16.5% ABV. That's kind of it right now. I'll be happy to answer any questions going forward and look forward to another Hellshire Day with you guys. Cheers, Dan
