Bourbon County Prop Day 2018

Hate to ruin the strategy for warmth but no fires this year. Sorry y'all. Wear extra layers.

They might make an exception if you have to leave early and want to pick up bottles. Whoever that was asking, message me and I'll see what I can do day-of to help you. No guarantees.

 

Fear not. I’ll be sipping a little from my guest’s pours, and using mine for the cans of 312.

 

Get yelled at by the city? Those fires were a saving grace last year it gets cold in that alley without sunlight hitting you.

 

Thanks to Sunday Metra wife and I won't arrive until around 1. Someone above posted that last year it took Prop 3 hours to kick?
Are there long Fobab-esque lines for each variant? Is it get a pour then immediately get back in a different line to wait for 20 mins? Or is it way more laid back, and the variants flow like hot fudge fountains and you are constantly turning down refills of King Henry and Nightstalker, etc? The Prop guy falls asleep due to boredom and you have to tap your own?

On another note, in what order would everyone recommend sampling these variants? Start with the Reserve, Prop, down the line then finish with regular? In the meantime rinsing our glass out with coffee barleywine? Or should I build up to the grand finale? Should I still hold out for Neapolitan and horchata as surprise one offs?

 

Speaking of Metra, can anyone recommend a place for lunch near Ogilvie station?

 

I was there last year and prop did not kick in 3 hours. I got there around 2 pm and got multiple pours of prop. If I remember correctly, prop kicked maybe an hour before the event ended. It’s pretty laid back. You get your pour, hang out and enjoy. Line waits were about 5 minutes. Sometimes even less. I wouldn’t overthink it. Get there, enjoy your pours, pick up your bottles, and call it a day.

 

Unfortunately I won’t be attending this year as I did not get tickets. I’m sure it’s karma for getting two allotments last year with the same badge. The first hole punch wasn’t perforated enough for them to notice me going back around again. Yeah I know it was a jackass move, but it worked.

 

There's a ton of stuff in that neighborhood. Hell, you don't even have to leave the train station, just wander through the French Market.

I would suggest wandering towards Randolph and Halsted, some good options like Green Street Smoked Meats, Au Cheval, Haymarket and Little Goat.

 

That was me. Prop kicked somewhere in the 3-4 hour mark. I remember it being gone right around an hour before the event ended at 5 when we went to get a pour, and we were drinking reserve for our last couple pours. Super laid back. Lines are 5 mins at most. As the day wore on there weren't lines really. You'd walk up and get a pour of something. The lines for the "surprise" barrels were longer, like 20 mins or so. These are random vintages that you won't know what they are until they're tapped and someone comes walking by with a pour. We had double barrel regular BCBS and Vanilla Rye as two of them, IIRC, but didn't try to get any more after that. I wouldn't worry about getting a pour then immediately getting back in a line for another while you're drinking the first one. We got pours of prop, then stood in line for a couple surprise vintages, then drank prop the rest of the day, for the most part, with hardly any wait for pours. Lots of mingling, talking, and hanging out, and not line grinding. It was great. Met and talked to lots of cool people from all over the country. And ended up with like 12 pour tokens apiece as people would give them away as they left.

I would do the more hyped variants first, like prop, vanilla, reserve, etc. As these are inevitably going to be the first to kick.

Enjoy it. It's an awesome event. Wish I was going again. Maybe next year.

 

Variant lines were 5 minutes tops and to be honest I don't think I waited more than 2 minutes. Towards the end I was able to walk right up to get pours. Prop 17 did kick right near the end last year and I was saving my last 2 tokens for Prop, dang! Oh well more of the other variants and random people giving away there unused tokens. Yes please!

The mystery line was the only long line and it wasn't that bad. Got some Prop 14, missed VR, but oh well. It is very relaxed and chill, nothing like FoBAB rush to get pours before they run out.

And yes the fire barrels were great to stay warm. Went home smelling like I was near a campfire all day!

Cant wait for Prop Day!

 

No fire barrels this year, though.

 

what are some good beer spots to go to after prop day on Sunday?

 

If you do Prop Day right, I imagine you're not going to need a beer terribly much after the event, but if this weather sucks as much as last year, you're going to want a big meal with some "sticks to your ribs" qualities.

Ramen or BBQ could be amazing after the event, I'd bet.

If you absolutely have to drink still go to Forbidden Root and grab something lighter. Or consider Links for beers and some solid post drunk food.

 

I have a beer backpack I was planning to bring in to the event(empty of course) to hold my allotment and not tie up a hand holding it the whole time. Is this allowable?

 

Yes.

 

Gus' Fried Chicken is also a great spot. Not sure if they're open Sundays.

 

A lot of those places are closed on the weekend. Just go eat in the west loop somewhere.

 

Kuma's is also right around the corner

 

How is the parking situation there for Prop Day? Are there cash Lots all over the place?

 

Dunno. Got dropped off last time, and took an Uber back to my buddy's house in Roscoe Village. I'm sure someone who lives in the city will be able to provide more than I can. I would assume you should be able to find parking around there, though.