FoBAB 2021

Well I didn't want to try since I got the full package thru Binnys. I wanted it to be a surprise..LOL. we should get together with @GrumpyGas and whoever eise would like and share the bottles...I may have 2020, 2019, 2018, maybe 17, 16 and some 15.. yep.. we had don't have enough craft beer friends to share all these bottles... we're down for a share..

 

Yes, it was good. I have a list.. I'll post tomorrow.. this old lady has to go to bed...LOL.. Half Acre pickups up tomorrow for my FL friends.

 

Actually HB is using Old Rip Van Winkle barrels which is different and less expensive than Pappy barrels. They are commonly confused. Still going to try it when I go Saturday. Cheers!

 

People - both within the Bourbon community and not - often use the term Pappy to mean anything from the line -So, 10/ORVW, 12/LotB, 15/PVW15, 20/PVW20, 23/PVW23, and ‘pappy Rye/VWFRR’. Not saying the person (people) that used pappy still weren’t out of the loop, I’m just saying that it isn’t surprising for people to shorthand it calling them pappy or PVW. -And, unless it is easily publicized which barrels were used, people will definitely faulted and use the generic PVW.

A good example of this contrast: The new fancy parabola used PVW 15 and PVW23 barrels. The new SP Candles 8 details are only apparently currently being spread by word of mouth, but the deets are “PVW barrels”. Given it’s SP, one might expect it truely IS PVW, but who knows?

Lastly, I think this may be the first beer I have seen to ever use ORVW/LotB barrels and not PVW.

 

Did not enjoy it but was couple hours into the evening so should revisit. Probably enjoyed the Foreign Exchange Clockwork the most, though none of the barleywines stood out, sadly.

 

Any advice from people yesterday for those going today? We're the lines to get in bad?

 

I was in the ImBibe group and the line wasn't bad, actually it didn't really start forming until later than previous years. I can't speak to the GA lines. You have to show your ID and COVID info in line and get a wristband, then go through a metal detector, then have your QR scanned at the turnstiles, similar to past years.

I was very happy with the setup. The huge amount of seating was nice to have as it went on. The food was basic stadium food. Goose Island had a little stand indoors and a larger train car outside. There were some barrels with fires going and it was really fairly pleasant. If it had been snowing that might have been an issue. I went up and down the stairs quite a lot which for people with mobility issues might be a problem, but that was by choice as I like to move around a lot.

On the beers I am not good at keeping track but the Half Acre Dubl Benthic on nitro was my favorite of the evening. The Phase Three and Bottle Logic stouts were good. I thought the Three Floyds beers were pretty average. I had that Van Winkle and it was OK but seemed thin

 

Thanks @BobCobb for the list. It’s helpful and I’ll check it out. For the other Friday night folks what were you’re favorites?

 

Nitro xtra dubl was easily my favorite
Arclight world between worlds
Lost abbey yellow bus
P3 Eunoia b2
Goose toasted barrel
Bottle logic non adjunct stout (forget name)

 

Awesome! Thank you! These were kinda on my list to hit but I’ll definitely be checking them out.

 

Awesome! What were some of the longer lines you waited in?

 

Cerebral Mysterious Forces and Whiskey Hill Strewn field were also great. And P3, 3 Floyds and Half Acre were the longest ones from what I noticed. I think Eunoia and Xtra Dubl were first to kick. The spots in the concourse were not busy at all really.

 

Any GA people who can comment on the wait time to get into the venue?

 

Last night felt like the most normal thing I've done in almost two years. Hanging out with my friends at FoBAB is easily one of my favorite days of the year and I am so happy its back. The new venue is spacious and welcome. Some of the most sought after beers are "hidden on the concourse" but after you figure that out its pretty easy to get around.

Highlights for me were
Maplewood Cuppa Sea Salt Dark Chocolate Almond
Werk Force Double Barrel Aged Sleepy Bear
Prairie Double Vanilla Noir
Half Acre Xtra Dubl Benthic on Nitro
Virtue Cider Double Barrel The Mitten

But if there was one beer that tasted like it should win a medal it was Afterthought Wine Barrel Fermented Yuzu & Key Lime Juice.

Also, Bourbon County Cola is good, fight me.

 

GA wait wasn’t long at all - arrived at 5:15 and was towards the front of the GA line and things moved quickly at 6.

big winners for me:

Xtra Dubl (Nitro) was insane
Peak Luxury from Modern Times
BL non-adjunct Stout
Eunoia
Both New Image stouts were killer
“Here” - Lua

 

Were any of these booths close to each other? Any direction you recommend heading once I get in the main entrance? TIA

 

The line wasn't bad, we got there about 20 min. till 6. They did go thru first and check ID and vaccine card, we got the wristbands then. When the line started moving they ended up bringing more people to our side so it went faster to get in. Metal detector, then they scanned our tic.

Below are my faves..
Ever Grain-5 year anniversary
Other one from them was Bourbon Coffee
Porter

Noema from New Image

Maplewood- BA Cuppa Cinnamon Dusted Smores

StreetSide Brewery- Coconut/Coffee Demogorgon-a bit on the sweet side

The hubby had the Cola, he said it was good but nothing spectacular.

We took pretzels to go.

 

All adjunct stouts are near each other on main floor (alphabetical) and non-adjunct stouts are upstairs on the concourse. Based on what I saw kick first, I’d start with the pastry boys (particularly Benthic, Eunoia, Cerebral, etc.) and then go from there. To be honest though, outside of a select few, everything lasted a solid while.

 

Pretty solid tote for me:

Casa Humilde - Tempestad

Lil Beaver - BA Punkin Pi

Rock Bottom Yorktown - Redemption Elf

Rhinegeist - Moonburst

Jackie O's - Iron Furnace

Goose Island - Bourbon County Double Barrel Toasted Barrel