Beer Under Glass 2014

You verbalized more sentiments that I'd echo as well. Although I don't think the event necessarily requires great weather, if it's actually... you know, in the conservatory.

 

Very true. That said, the parts of the conservatory that were open were absolutely jam packed with folks that didn't dress properly for the weather. I think most brewers if asked honestly about their opinion would have the same gripes. Those folks down in the mud pit under the tent were not having a good day.

If I had paid $30-$40 for my ticket under the premise that it is a fully outdoor beer festival with food, then this event was on point. The collection of brewers was excellent, and the beer was delicious and interesting. The food that I got to try was almost all great as well. They sold us $60 tickets for an event that they didn't actually provide, which is disappointing. Things happen. That's life. That doesn't mean they couldn't have spotlights so people could see what they were drinking and put down planks so people weren't almost falling down as their feet got stuck.

I don't want to downplay how delicious those grilled cheese sandwiches were afterward, but it was sad not to see the tamale truck again this year. I had myself all geared up for those tamales.

 

not having fun in the mudpit.... we were having nothing but fun in the mudpit. Since we all sank into the ground and couldn't move it became a big family listening to ween, drinking beer and eating hot wings...it almost became a commune led by the fearless freaks at Piece until 9 o'clock came and everyone went back to their normal life. It was like the monday after woodstock. And @PHBoiler you got the hotwings but you didnt hit the middle brow tent right next to it? come on....

 

I know it was an epic fail on my part. I saw the randall and got excited. I was going to come back after the line died down but never made it back to that side of the tent for fear of losing my shoes. I stepped over a pile of shoes and pants that were still at our door on my way to work this morning. If the ticket price wasn't enough, I now owe my wife a new pair of TOMS.

 

Excellent write-up. I'm going to try to track down a few of those beers you mentioned. The Forbidden Root especially.

 

A mega-wealthy venture capitalist starting a relatively large brewery exclusively brewing beers with roots and herbs - call me hesitant. I had a stout of theirs at the Naperville Beer Fest and wasn't able to drink much of it. I do hope they make tasty beers and I hope all breweries putting out a good product can succeed. This one just seems --- so f'ing weird.

 

I went last year and yesterday. Even with the weather, my group enjoyed themselves. I won't say it was worse, but it was different. Beers I enjoyed most: Madame Rose (GI), The Weight (Piece), Dryhop Saison, Destihl Sour, GDDC (Half Acre). I had the Pineapple Brett and Flanders Red at Goose party on Tuesday. Agree that they were both excellent. Had other beer from Spiteful, Pipeworks, Middle Brow (good to meet @burica2020 ), Transient, Begyle, Penrose, Perennial that were very good. Perennial was pouring BA 17 early from bottles if you had info to ask for a pour.

Food: The line for Dinky Donuts was long all night long, liked their ancho-spiced donuts.

Misses: Harder to pick out subtleties in some beers since senses were dulled a bit in the cold weather, some food vendors ran out of food very early, I think they could've designed the layout differently in the grassy area to avoid the mud issues (it was just fine for the tents setup on the South section), did they change the pouring cutoff time?

 

Hey r u the guy I met @ plainfield binnys when Plead the 5th came out?

 

Yup. That's me.

 

I mean no offense by this:
Aren't you associated with a Brewery? And therefore, weren't you comp'd access to this event?

BUG was one event I would have loved to attend but $60 a head is insane. What's more $60 for an event that's in a mudpit instead of a conservatory is insulting to my respect of my money.

If I got in free I'd be the first to play The Pod LP and be a moron in mud. But if I had paid to enter this event I'd be furious.

 

I have to agree a little on this. I tried two of the beers they were pouring at BUG. The forbidden root smelled incredible but there was no mouthfeel and it tasted like watered down diet root beer to me. The key lime pie beer was the same. It smelled really good but upon drinking it was a drain pour. I think there is great potential with what they are trying to do, but a lot of work needs to be done. I will try their beer again though to see if they make improvements.

 

Having met @burica2020 at several beer events and other functions before, I'm pretty sure he would have had fun whether he paid, not paid, danced in the mud, walked on dry ground, sat in the corner by himself, or otherwise.

I don't think $60 is too much for this event. All the food and beer you can eat or drink? I bought the ticket in hopes it would be beautiful like last year, but it wasn't. You gotta play the hand you're dealt. If you don't think it's a good value, every one in attendance will be glad you're not there.

 

Exactly, to each their own.

 

By comped access, you mean donated 400 dollars of free beer, right? I was being funny trying to put a positive spin on what was kinda a disaster. But the alcohol and food made it not so bad. When these events go bad, I try to put on a smile and enjoy it for what it is, otherwise I'd be a miserable fellow. As monty python showed us, even when hanging on a cross, its best to look on the bright side of life.

 

Life's a piece of shit, whenya look at it!
Amazing.