Alternatives to Dark Lord Day/Mini Midwest beercations?

a little further than you want to drive but Minneapolis is a great destination, make it a long weekend

 

The best part of DLD is hanging out with all the BAs/friends and the bottle shares. It is a really good time. Dark Lord itself...Meh.

 

No tickets (yet) just show up very very early and have a blast with the hospitable minnesota boys and gals, along with all the great people who come from all over for the Darkness. Last year was an absolute blast! It is first come first served with a wrist band method that seems to work well. After everyone with a wrist band gets their allotment Omar opens up the extra bottles to purchase.

 

But I was told growth is nothing but good for craft beer?


Chicago is a good trip in itself, plus good dining options as well. You could also do a little whirlwind trip through southern Wisconsin and hit New Glarus, plus others.

 

You should try and make The Jackie O's release next Friday if you can..

 

My wife and I are going on a beecation coming up to New Glarus, Ale Sylum, Great Dane Brewpub and maybe the beer museum in Milwaukeee, maybe even Lakefront. I feel kinda bad that I have not been to any of these place yet when I am two hours away from NG and Madison and three and a half from Milwaukee.

 

If I were you (and living close to Chicago), I'd drive up to Michigan for the weekend. There are so many great breweries up there, you'll easily shake off all your Dark Lord Day blues.

http://www.michiganbeerguide.com/

As for me, I'm going to make a pilgrimage up to Jungle Jim's in Fairfield, OH and stock up on St. Bernardus Abt. 12 (we can't get this in Northern KY).

 

Even if it's not for a beer release, I think it's always worth the trip to Jackie O's.

 

Short's Anniversary Party is the same day as DLD. It's where you'll find me. I think it's a decent alternative.

 

I recommend New Glarus. Would make a great 1 day, 1 night sort of trip that would be about 2-2 1/2 hours from you. The brewery is beautiful and the town is a nice little Swiss village with friendly people and some nice little bars.

 

Go to the DMV to stand in line for several hours and then afterward drink a World Wide Stout with a few ounces each of molasses and soy sauce added. Maybe a few spoonfulls of sugar as well. Don't forget to take $100 and throw it in the garbase disposal as well.

 

That's only if the breweries and events can grow fast enough to keep up. It's proving to be something of a problem, for a variety of reasons.

 

It's a BADASS alternative. I'm still thinking of throwing aside my dld tix in favor of Shorts.

 

Say what you will about the beer, but that party is a fun time.

You don't have your tasting glass filled by random people as soon as it's empty at the DMV.

 

Or... if too many new people show up relative to a brewery's reasonable production capacity.

 

I'm hosting a tasting the night before for anyone who's interested.

 

Check my avatar... Been there done that, recently.

 

Haha, maybe if you go to the right DMV, you can get aome brown bag special.