2017 FOBAB

Interesting. I never got an email in February when my membership was about to expire. I had to re-up on my own (which I did after it expired).

 

I only got like 1 day's notice. But it sounds like they've relaxed the 30 day minimum before pre-sale rule and instead said just sign up by 8/31. Which takes some of the needless drama out of it.

 

Damn it! Can't make it for the second year in a row.

 

Glad to hear the date has been squared away. I'll be making plans to go up Saturday morning to make the afternoon session with VIP.

 

Looking for opinions here. I've never done the VIP and have always done the Sat night session. I like that session because of the no early entry and you have an idea of the different winners so you can try some offerings you might not otherwise try.

Do you guys think the VIP/early entry is worth it? How many people are let inside early and are there still lines for the popular beers, or is it pretty much a walk up and try whatever you want? Do they limit pours at all, or could someone just sit and put back sample after sample of the highly sought after beers?

Thanks for the input.

 

I generally think VIP is worth it, but that might just be me, and it always depends on the specifics of the event.

Usually I find that you can get what you want even if you do have to wait in a small line, but I'll also say that there will be bigger lines for the highly sought after beers, and you can't just stand there, you'll have to get back in line. As someone who's served the beers I'd also just cut you off if I felt you were taking advantage, unless you were being talkative and friendly and standing to the side. Depending on the situation I'd generally give 4 pours of a special beer, and 3 or less if you seemed like a jackass (not suggesting you are, but believe me, there are plenty of jackasses at beer fests!).

 

I appreciate the input. Like I said, I've never done the VIP, so I literally have no idea what kind of scene it is like inside. And knowing the Chicago beer scene, I can only imagine that there are plenty of folks trying to get theirs without any consideration for anyone else attending the fest. There are certainly times when I wish they would implement tickets/stamps and only allow single pours of certain beers, but then I do like the unlimited access to everything else and that generally outweighs my desire for more controls.

As far as my jackassery goes, it depends on the time and the place. For the most part, beer fests aren't one of them.

 

The way it was set up in '15 was perfect.

 

I made a list of 10 beers to try last year. I had them all in the VIP hour. I was able to have like 3 pours of Peach Climactric. It's totally worth it because it de-stresses you for the remaining 4 hours to not have to get in lines for beers or care if they kick. Also, the lines during VIP time are under 4 minutes long even for stuff like Parabajava

 

So my memory sucks as far as purchase options since last year was my first fobab.

Is VIP only if you are an imbibe member? Or were there VIP options for the hour early admittance through bpt or however they run it?

 

Best Fest to Voulenteer for.

 

Do you know where to sign up for volunteering? Do you have to be an Imbibe member?

 

If I had to guess -- less beer being served and less desire to spend money on those booth spaces.

 

Is it 1 ticket max per IMBIBE member?

 

Yes. If you are an IMBIBE member, Limit 1 PP regarding pre sale VIP ticket purchase. Based on what I have heard, I went ahead and purchased the $50 membership yesterday. I feel like the option to purchase VIP early, "pre sale", almost guarantees a VIP ticket. Plus all the other little perks throughout the year make it a no brainer. We all spend $50 in one sitting at our favorite brewery or local spot, so this to me was an easy call. An hour early at FOBAB, to me was the icing on the cake.

 

You don't need to be a member. It's why I let my membership lapse. Volunteering is way more fun, and a better way to enjoy the fest.

 

I've volunteered a couple times. The pros are you get a free ticket to a different session, plus usually you can sneak away and sample other beers during the session you work. Also it can be fun interacting with other beer types.

The cons are they want you there earlier than you really need to be, you stand for about 6 hours which can be tough if you are as ancient as I am, you sit on the floor and eat terrible pizza waiting for your free session (that's if you work Saturday afternoon) and sometimes it's a bit disorganized.