Dark Lord (2018)

Same here. I stopped trying. Plenty of crazy bottles everywhere, and friends to be made!

 

I'm with you. Although I did get to try 3 variants last year (some vintage), it was not an easy task, and I even missed out on a couple due to line size.

It certainly seems doable to continue increasing the amount of variant kegs tapped given the overall increase in variants in the past couple years.

One additional option would be a variant tent and include 1 or 2 punches with everyone's ticket that gives you the opportunity for beer at that tent. As I think about it though, given the line-up this will cause maybe the way they are doing it now is better.

 

Same here as well at the last 3 DLDs. I was one person away from the Chemtrail variant last year and it kicked .

 

I've had good luck with variants except for 2015 when I just wanted to stay under the tent all day, I think I tried Dwarven Power Bottom that year and nothing else.

In my group we just keep taking turns to go check out the drafts every so often and bring stuff back. Got to try a few variants last year that way.

In 2014 I was able to get Aquavit, Vanilla Bean, and Bourbon all within 15 minutes of each-other late in the day when the lines had died down (except the food line). In 2013 they had 2009 BA Dark Lord on first thing in the morning IIRC.

In 2013 and 2014 all the variants were at one specific tent though, so you just had to keep going back there. They spread them around randomly starting in 2015, which is good and bad.

 

Has the link to the history thread been shared yet? My friend just asked me about pricing and I honestly couldn’t remember the specifics?

 

This one? http://darklordday.info/index.php/Home

 

That’s it exactly thanks!!! This will probably be the only helpful post out of 200 pages, congratulations.

 

:cabbagepatch:

 

Ah yes, the sad plight of the desperate ticker. Not an uncommon sight these days at events such as Dark Lord Day.

(Bearded man standing by the line exit blocking foot traffic)
" 'xcuse me, is that a Barrel Aged Dark Lord variant you hold there? Yes?"
(raises small snifter made of tin)
"Please can you spare a small sample for a desperate ticker? An ounce will do. Thank you."
(fumbles with smartphone while sipping snifter)

 

Hey man #tickersgottatick

 

Back in the day tickers had rules. Half a pint minimum, and you had to finish the entire pour no matter how much you disliked it. Otherwise it didn't count as tick.

Damn millennials ruined ticking!

 

They did have the Twitter posting draft spots throughout the day, but after sharing in line who could even remember that was happening? Lucked into the Ronaldo line at open and got the last foamy pour to share with a few people (it was delicious but very sweet) and that was it for me, though I think I saw a vintage or two on by the stage in the mid-afternoon.

The real way to get variants on draft has more to do with your second question: you win DLD by pacing yourself and not getting (soy?) sauced by noon. Much easier said than done, since the key to this is declining some share pours, which keeps you slightly more sober and able to make better decisions, which means you are alert enough to decline and not cave under pressure, and so on...

Or rent an extra liver?

 

to be fair ive seen full beer reviews from sampling much less....
you know who im talking about

 

Friends and I popped a 2015 Earl of Biggles and my 2017 FVM last night.

The FMV was horrible. Tasted like sweet teriyaki sauce mixed with rotten fruit. Absolutely disgusting and a drain pour. I was so excited for that one too when I got it at DLD.

The Earl was a muddled mess of spices. Not undrinkable like FMV was but still, not very good.

2018 was going to be our 5th Dark Lord Day but I'm strongly considering retiring from the event. The base beer is a sweet mess and the variants are completely hit and miss. We don't like the music either. The best part for us was the bottle share at the hotel the night before and some sharing at the event.

We also went because it was the first big beer release thingy we ever did together so it just became tradition. After doing the BCBS dance the last 2 years, I think that'll be my replacement for DLD as my 1x a year beer event. Yeah there's no line bottle sharing or craziness that DLD has, but at least you know you're going to end up with mostly great beer.

Money is also probably a factor as well. For DLD I'm paying $200 for the beers (I don't factor in the band or anything else as I'm just there for the beer) and I'm paying about $1.81 an ounce. BCBS I'm calculating about $1.10 an ounce or so if you get a full allotment. And it actually tastes good.

If I do end up not going, it was a fun run and definitely some lasting memories. Hopefully they make it even better this year. They took some great strides in 2017.

 

lol that really sucks about the FVM man. Guess unless you plan to trade it, these anecdotes multiple people have shared just go to show you really need to open those rare and ultra-limited beers you're most excited about as soon as you get them.

I actually thought Earl was 10x better than Temeculan, so if you really want to have an uncanny adventure in a muddled mess of spices, try out the 3000.

Regular Dark Lord definitely is not a sweet mess from my POV. I think it's right on the borderline of being a cloying nightmare headache like some of the higher ABV Dogfish Head and Bruery "stouts" can be, but still maintains a massive body and a ton of complexity. Getting 15% ABV without turning it into a port-like monstrosity is no small feat, and I don't think anyone has hit that mark with as deft a hand as FFF.

After this year's wild and crazy times, you're still going to do BCBS?! Wow, more power to you man, that's some conviction! BCBS is definitely an expertly crafted beer, but if you're not going for Prop or other Chicago-only bottles, I don't think you should be taking the time out of your life to do that Black Friday release. I could have had 50 bottles of regular BCBS, and 10 each of Coffee and Northwoods from basic ass stores here in Ohio. I limited myself to not even a quarter of that, and this year was our first being able to acquire Bourbon County in Ohio. I get palates differ and preferences run the gamut, but if the hassle of Chicago BCBS is more enjoyable than DLD, cheers to your bravery

 

To be honest with you...the BCBS thing was a nightmare for us too traveling all the way up from Cincy. I absolutely see myself just getting some regular from places around where I live and avoiding that madness as well. Damn, going from 2 events this past year to none...haha. My old body hurts too much to deal with all that as much as I used to as well!

I do agree with you about Dark Lord. I was being a bit harsh in my comments just based on my recent disappointments. It's certainly difficult to brew something that strong and still have it drinkable.

 

TBH, I don't go to DLD for the DL. I care about my variant, but I usually trade away the DL.

For me, it's about the shares, the people, the taps, the variant I walk away with, the weather. Probably in that order.

 

Same here. I'm just thinking with the inconsistency of the variants, that all isn't worth $200 + 1-2 nights hotel expenses + all other travel expenses for me anymore.

I do find 3 Floyds to be brilliant though in crafting an event where people barely care about the beer itself, all while collecting boatloads and boatloads of cash for the privilege. I need me an idea like that.

 

I have a Temec sitting in my fridge right now, thanks for hyping me up!

Totally agree on DL. I'll drink bottles myself, one sitting, and yeah, it's too sweet. But you're right, it's a complex and really tasty beer. It's always been one of my favorite non-BA stouts, despite the fact that I NEVER drink through my allotments.

 

If "the weather" is on the list, you're doing it wrong. Especially coming from California.

But you're absolutely right, the value of the share has to be the highlight of the day, especially after you've had DL once or twice.