2014 Half Acre Big Hugs release

I'm still going to roll the dice and see if I can walk right in early evening and get bottles. I will be shocked if they are "all out".

 

At this rate, people are going to be chasing trucks for daisy cutter pretty soon.

 

Did I miss the memo that each bottle comes with a complimentary ZJ? Can't wait to see the new money FT posts thinking they have whalez on their hands

 

Friend of mine in line said they have been asking people to only buy 4 at a time because they are worried about running out.

 

Line get any better?

 

Just got in line. It's to the corner of Lincoln and Cullom. 4 bottle limit. Plenty of growlers according to HA guy.

 

Pro tip - pull out cash. Shorter line and free samples

 

LOL. The FT section is going to be funny to watch the next few days. Dudes thinking Big Hugs will pull a whale just because they waited in a line.

 

Line moved quick, I had to go this morning, have stuff going on this afternoon, got in line pretty much right at 11, was out by 11:45. Love the mini mugs.

 

I hear allotment was cut to 2 bottles after a while...

 

Just walked out and can confirm growlers are the best option.

 

Limit was dropped to 2. There is enough for 2/person for those in line right now. Growlers and howlers are your best bet if not in line right now.

 

Got in line a little after 11 and had my bottles by 12, not to mention the HA folks giving samples of bourbon barrel Baume as well as Abraxas and Fremont Coffee Cinnamon BBomb. Tons of people but it was pretty well organized and everyone was cool.

 

It went form 8 to 2? Or did they wait until most of the bottles were gone then drop it?

Anyone want to chime in with the tap list? They said they were going to be putting on some good stuff.

 

They said limits were dropped to 4 after about an hour, then again dropped to 2 after another hour or two. I am happy with that - those who show up early are able to get the "full" allotment if they choose, and lowering limits allows it to still be spread out to as many people as possible.

 

I got in line at 11:45. Around 12:30ish they asked kindly if people would take 4 bottles instead of 8 and lifted the limits on glass fills. I left at 1:15 and the limit was still 4 bottles.

 

Looks like I'll have to change my avatar. I thought for sure 2012 was the year. I helped make 2012ing happen.

 

Just goes to show that they underestimated the Chicago craft beer scene this year. Last year it lasted for several days.

Next year this might as well be a limit 1 beer, and people will still line up early.

 

Everyone was caught by surprise by this crowd. Chicago beer scene has gone loco.

Cash line was totally the way to go. Got there a bit after noon, stood in line for five minutes until learning about the cash line, went up there, enjoyed samples of Big Hugs, BBA Baume and Abraxas(!) and shot the shit with the guys around me. Total time in line was about 20 minutes. Four-bottle max by then (later cut in half again to two), but the guy behind me only wanted two and picked up a pair for me.

My only regret was that I wanted the coffee beans. Cash line wasn't selling them, and the line was still so long at 3 that I decided I didn't need them that badly.