Darklord Day 2017

If you are going to make it as a reporter, you better climb your ass up that tree and interview Nick Floyd...we want to know what the heck he is thinking.

 

It's really hard to stay up to date on this thread; I've had days where I read through 4 pages but 6 pages were churned out. That said, I love how the responses to this topic came as if they were from my own brain.

3 Floyd's "makes" $1 million an hour? Seriously, the MIT grad referenced should turn in his or her diploma. Not only can he/she not do math, but he/she doesn't understand the concept of profit versus revenue. Or, more likely, it's an exaggeration to make somebody feel like they have the moral high ground. From my experience, people who exaggerate their points are doing so because they are arguing an unreasonable point.

 

Agreed I'd be super happy if I got that one.

 

Haha not intended to be at all. I was just curious to know the quantity I should bring and how many I should consume this week. That's a fair point. I love that aspect of DLD and other festivals.

 

the only thing you need in order to get solid pours is 1. an empty glass, 2. beer to pour in other peoples empty glasses, and 3. don't be a dick.....but even if you're a dick you'll probably still get solid pours as long as you have #1 and #2 covered.

 

only if it's Good Morning.

 

Annual list reminders copied and pasted from 2012. (with 2017 updated notes)

Here are some tips:

1. Take a break in the middle of the day to sober up and grab some food, drink water, etc. 12 hours of high gravity beer is simply too much to handle and you won't make it if you try and drink the entire time.
2. Bring tasting glasses (multiple) and water. Breaking a tasting glass is all too common as you will be jostled around if you plan to stay inside plus you will be drinking all day, and it becomes all too easy late in the day to break your glass if you aren't careful.
3. Keep your bottles with you (or a friend) at all times in a secured area. If you leave your bottles out in the open, chances are that they will be stolen. Remain vigilant at all times.
4. Bring a lot of cash. The lines for the ATM on site vary throughout the day, and they aren't cheap. The last thing you want to do is wait in an hour-long line to get cash so that you can wait in another hour-long line to grab a guest pour or FFF merchandise, etc.
5. (Outdated) No matter what the price of the Barrel-Aged Dark Lord variant, if you are given the opportunity to buy a bottle by 'winning' the scratch off that you get prior to getting your allocation of Dark Lord, buy it. Even if you don't want to keep it, there will be thousands of people outside the brewery looking to try and secure the 'special' bottles, and they will be very grateful for your giving them an opportunity to get a bottle. (Outdated)
6. (Outdated) Do not hold the four-pack they give you with your bottles by the handle if you use that as your carrier to transport your bottles. The carriers are extremely cheap and there will be more than a few four-packs ruined by their slipping through the bottom and shattering on the pavement. If possible, bring a six-pack wine holder bag (the ones you get at Jewel or Binny's) to carry your bottles in. Alternatively, a cloth bag works very well. (Outdated)
7. (Outdated, to a degree) There are no coolers or chairs allowed inside the gates, but backpacks are allowed within reason. I use this backpack cooler (http://www.target.com/p/igloo-maxcold-maxpack-cooler/-/A-13465885) and it is reasonably cheap for this purpose should you decide to bring bottles inside the gates. (Outdated - similar backpack coolers are available elsewhere)
8. As a follow-up to #1, drink lots of water. When you wash out your tasting glass, take an extra pour of water thereafter.
9. Bring bags of pretzels and/or cheese to help absorb the alcohol throughout the day. Whole bags or zip-lock bags would work for this purpose.
10. Bring sunscreen. While it won't be particularly warm, 12 hours in the sun will burn you (this happened to a lot of people in 2011).
11. Do not worry about what bottles to bring and do not be intimidated by other "big" bottles that people plan on bringing. Bring what you enjoy, what you feel is special, and enjoy the event.
12. If you are sharing bottles and partaking in the all-day celebration, you are going to get drunk. Find a designated driver or take a cab.

Tl;dr - Don't be a jerk, be nice, bring a glass, share what you like, and be responsible.

 

Indeed it does sound intriguing. I'd love to get a fresh pour of it.

 

coming in Friday planning on going to 18th St, since I'm staying in Hammond, give me one other brewery I have to visit while in town. please

 

Burn Em Brewing in Michigan City is solid.

 

If you have a nearby hotel, combine these three. Take a shuttle back to the hotel, drop off your bottles, grab some food/water/Gatorade.

 

Griffith, IN has a few breweries, new oberpfalz brewing & Wild Rose aren't too bad. I agree with @ChiCubs78 Burn Em is nice, but it's about 45min-1hr to get there.
Also, Griffith has Twincade, an arcade bar that has some decent options on tap. They are also tapping some nice stuff during DLD.

 

One positive of not picking your variant and instead perhaps swap meeting later in the day is the potential to have actually tried some of the new (or new to you) variants on tap before you make a final "decision". For the new ones we should hopefully be able to see some reviews from others online even if we miss out. If reviews start coming in saying chemtrailmix is a cinnamon bomb my wife would happily trade away whatever variant she gets for one. I thankfully talked her out of choosing Tem3000 last year because I was worried about the cardamom overpowering any cinnamon and that sounds like it was a very good call, but if it had gone the other way she'd probably still be pissed at me.

I was really relieved with her choice for Muerte after we got to try Muerte on tap later in the day.

I suppose we always could've tried to swap later in the day but it seems like it should be infinitely more prevalent this year.

 

Hailstorm is about 20 minutes away (Tinley Park) but they have some pretty great stuff. Definitely worth the drive.

 

I think that variant swapping would be really cool. I could see most of them going 1:1 with the exception being Handjee and possibly FVM.

 

I can't believe Hailstorm slipped my mind. Great brewery.

 

Does the map have the Variant Swap Tent on there already?

 

I mentioned it earlier in the thread - but if you're looking to stay pretty local, hit up One Trick Pony in Lansing or Windmill Brewing in Dyer

 

I usually park at the park across the street for $20..

But does anyone park alittle further out for free? And walk?

If so where and what is the distance.. Thx!
Feel free to BM me if you don't want to give everyone your secret spot.. Haha

 

I don't know if you can park at Fitness Pointe or not, but their parking lot is massive. Plus it's not far at all, maybe a 5-minute walk if you're able to park there without a penalty.