Did they have that multiple times or was That a one time one off? I can’t see them making that again, but I’m always happy to be wrong.
I feel like Alpha King disappeared from the state around the same time as Zombie Dust bottles did and/or when Turbo Reaper came out as a year-round beer. It felt like they stopped sending bottles of their year-round beers to the state and since that's the only format Alpha King comes in it's no longer available. I did a double take seeing both Alpha King and Zombie Dust bottles in Indiana last year as I had completely forgotten what the packaging looked like on both.
Maybe the distributors aren't bringing much in? Even here in Chicago Zombie Dust is 100 times easier to find than Alpha King now. Fewer places stock it, and don't bring much in when they do. I always pick it up when I find it fresh though. I did get a six pack of the new throwback label release and it was the only six pack on the shelf at a Binnys.
Variants are up Chemtrailmix Dark Lord aged in rye whiskey barrels with cinnamon and pink peppercorns Marshmallow Handjee Dark Lord aged in bourbon barrels with vanilla beans Egregious Philbin Dark Lord aged in bourbon barrels and finished in FFF Warspite whiskey barrels with cherries and vanilla Brandy Vanilla Dark Lord aged in bourbon barrels and finished in brandy barrels with vanilla beans Banana Bubble Bath Dark Lord aged in rum and bourbon barrels with banana, vanilla, and cocoa nibs Magic User Dark Lord aged in rye and bourbon barrels with coconut and cinnamon
I'm guessing Magic User is the one included with the VIP ticket then? Anyone get the VIP ticket before? It's it worth it?
The VIP tent isn't really anything special unless you like it a little more enclosed, darker, with a higher likelihood of having a smaller table you can sit at without rushing in for one. It's a chill space but closer to the bands. Drafts in there weren't really impressive relative to the rest of the fest either. But to me, it was worth it being guaranteed either a special bottle or another variant, whatever the case was, and is. Not having to worry about it or trade for it, especially when it was Brandy Vanilla. XX was great too because it was their anniversary and newly branded with Frank Frazetta art, even though I preferred both ChemTrailMix and Handjee separately, as opposed to blended together. In this case, they aren't really making it clear if those two new variants are going to be one of the guaranteed bottles, or if there's going to be a specific bottle for VIP.
Yeah VIP drafts were really no better than what is available elsewhere throughout the fest. Being able to get BBQ without a line was nice. And it is a chill spot to sit and take it easy in the shade.
Here’s the deluxe tier description copied from their Instagram. Festival Admission • Metal Show • Tote Bag (1) 750ml Bottle of 2026 Dark Lord Imperial Stout (3) 750ml Bottles of 2026 variants at random (1) 750ml Bottle of an all-new Dark Lord variant Limited Edition Art Print • Commemorative Bottle Opener Access to the Deluxe tent located in stage lot, which includes an exclusive bar featuring ultra-rare barrel-aged Dark Lord variants from the 3 Floyds vault for purchase, private restrooms, and separate food tent
Deluxe tickets were all in carts after just a few minutes. However, if people don't checkout within the 15 minute time limit then the tickets get released again. I got a deluxe maybe 1 hour after ticket sales started, but it required a lot of refreshing and seeing if they pop up. I think deluxe was fully sold out after 2 ours or so.
Even if it's just me there this year, I'll burn the place down, under the ground, keeping the spirit alive.
