2016 Surly Darkness

No worries, it's all good.

Based on your arguments, it probably is logistically impossible. However it would have been nice to have a system established where those who attended Darkness Day could purchase a bottle on that day.

I can honestly say last year's BA Darkness was an all-time top 3 beer for me, right up there with BA Hunahpu. I'll be at this year's Darkness Day as I always am, but I would have liked to avoid making the grind afterwards of tracking liquor store inventories when it is eventually released.

 

I was just joking. Your post was valid and helpful, though the reality, as it sometimes is, is harsh.

 

Well, wouldn't it be legal if the sale (by BC Liquor) was for the ticket at Darkness Day? Then once the bottles are ready you can redeem the ticket at Surly (B.C. or Minneapolis) in exchange for the bottle(s). Maybe give a 30 day window or something for folks to pickup their bottle(s).

 

So when does Surly typically announce Darkness Day info? I'm trying to make my plans to make it that way just going off past years info for now. Pretty excited. This will be my first year making the haul. Looking forward to sharing some good beer and camping out.

 

What other info are you needing besides a date?

 

Well........... Basically I'm planning on being an early camper and was waiting for this years rules (although probably the same as last year)..... Bracelet availability, beer availability, bands, food, the surprise announcement of having BA Darkness available. I guess just more to read to make the next couple weeks drag even more haha.

 

Question for you darkness day experts... If I show up Saturday morning at around say 10 or 11 will I be able to get some bottles? I've never been to darkness day before so I have no idea what to expect. I thought I read that in years past they open up sales of bottles that didn't go to the wrist band allocation to people who just show up, so would that be my best bet?

 

Your chance at getting a standard allocation is close to zero. There's only been one D-Day I can remember (since 2008) that you could have shown up that late, & that was years ago.

But yes, usually you can line up to try & get bottles. I had a friend do this last year who couldn't stay out/get over early, & he came away with 4 bottles. Someone else will have to chime in about how early you have to line up for this, as I have no idea.

 

Ok thanks for the info. If that is what I end up doing then I will let you know the result. Planning on heading up that way late morning and hoping for the best.

 

It looks like they bottled Damien as well. Does anyone know if there will be bottles for sale on Darkness Day?

 

fwiw, i showed up at just shy of 9am last year and just barely made it into the 230pm allotment.

the year before was a major crap show and due to line jumping and all the other crap that went on, can't really be used as a comparison.

 

The year before last was also the most beautiful weather. I would gauge your arrival times based on weather.

 

ok for sure going to this even this year. I am planning on getting there at 5pm on Friday. Still not quite sure how camping out works while you are standing in line? Or does the "official" line start in the wee hours of Saturday?

 

When you get there, find the end of the line, and put down some camp chairs and your beer coolers and start drinking and hang out. That's your spot in line! Feel free to wander and meet people, but have someone watch your stuff. Also take care not to get too drunk and sleep in for the wakeup at 7am or so. That's when they have everyone break down their stuff to put it back into their cars, and they start collapsing the line. The picture above is the collapsed line.

 

Nein! Line starts when people get there on Friday afternoon. You're expected to be there all night: no hotels, no sleeping in your comfy bed, no sneaking off to your mistresses pad. Although many people (me included) have abandoned sleeping in line for their cars (my wife is getting old & creaky).

 

Visiting Minneapolis to see my Vikings take on the Texans this weekend. Almost had a panic attack at the idea that Darkness day was this weekend. Relieved to see it's the weekend after. For someone just wanting to go to the brewery for some beer and food, glad I don't have to deal with the raucous. For those who are going, good luck and hope it's fun. Skol

 

But you are in town for Indeed's Hullabaloo. It's pretty fun and laid back, imo.

http://www.indeedbrewing.com/blog/its-time-to-hullabaloo

 

Darkness Day is not at the new brewery so no reason it'd be raucous. It'd almost be better to go there during Darkness Day. I'm guessing it'd be quieter.

 

Thanks for the tip!

oh, well i did not know that. good point!