Dark Lord Day (DLD) 2015

The cops were absolute dickheads this year. I saw many people being completely disrespected by them, especially the lady by the first aid truck who was told to "get the f*** out of my way."

The place was literally a cluster but the miserable lines were a fun mess. Also for the first time in five years I finally won a scratch off. My four pack folder broke but for some reason not until I was on the grass and my bottles were saved.

Besides the weather and the po po, my only actual complaint is the taps. There was like nothing rotating, it was good beer but I'm just used to the variety unless I missed it.

On a good note, how about all that free black hole necromancer and those awesome bottle openers.

 

Scored group C tickets. Got there around 1:45 and took over an hour to get through the entrance. Waited over 2 hours to buy the Dark Lord... but it was all worth it after my wife and I each scored a "Yes" on our golden ticket. Picked the Bourbon and 2 year Brandy as our variants.

Took the 1/2 mile walk back to the car carrying the two 4 - pack holders from the bottom so that they didn't break. Got back to the car and set down the 4 - pack of regular dark lord. Then as I go to set down the variant holder, the bottom gives out and *CRASH*... both the bourbon and brandy variant shatter on the ground. (The two bottles I was most excited to try). And somehow I ended up slicing my hand in the process. Luckily my wife is a nurse and made a tourniquet. Blood and dark lord variants everywhere. All those passing by gave their condolences. Photos were taken. True beer mourning.

I'd post a picture, but I can't figure out how to on this site. The sad thing about it is that I only had one beer the entire time and was as sober as can be so I can't blame it on that.

Sorry... I just had to post this to make myself feel better (even though I still don't haha). Oh well.. It's only beer...

Cheers!!!!

 

Dark matter still had about everything left an hour ago, with zero waiting!

 

Damn line was enormous so I missed coffee. Beans and glassware

 

Seems like everyone I know won a VBDL. Maybe I'm just more cognizant of it this year?

 

There was also a shit ton of them this year. over 1100

 

I only ran by the guest taps once, but what the hell was up with those? Bells Double Cream Stout? I can buy that at any shitty corner market. Why is it on tap at one of the best beer festivals in the world?

 

The weather sucked. Missed out of my scratch off, AGAIN. 2 hours in line to buy bottles. Very sobering experience. Worst DLD yet for me, but 90% of that was the rain. Everything else was as expected. Can't blame them for the weather, but it was the crappiest weather I've experienced ever and the parking was pretty awful too. Usually I park in the gravel lot by North Gate but they sent me down the road. Again, it is what it is but it could have been better.

 

Shout out to Dark Matter for learning from last year and having plenty of glasses for this year. Walked up there at 7:30 with no line and they still had pallets of them left.

 

Missed out on tickets this year, but I'm getting the sense that this year's festival maybe wasn't as good as some more recent ones. I guess I feel a bit better about it now. Plus, the rain sounds like a nightmare to me.

Cracked a 2014 DL to ease the pain of missing out, and boy, is it ever drinking great right now. The one year nap took away a lot of the up front sugary sweetness and really brought out a lot of dark, complex oak and espresso characteristics. For those who've had 15 already, how's it drinking? Same as last year? Better? Worse?

Cheers! And hopefully see everyone next year!

 

Omg dude that royally sucks! Three Floyd's didn't help u out at all?

These holders sound horrible

 

Not trying to sound insensitive but it's been discussed a billion times on DL Threads .. Before u go to DLD do ur self a favor and go buy a 5$ whole foods /trader Joe's bag and put ur DL in it iimmediately after you get it.. Those FFF carries suck.. And especially mixed with rain? I mean what ya expect..

 

First DLD, weather was shitty yet lines were filled with good people sharing great beers! Despite the weather I had such a good time, 3 out of the 4 people in my group won their scratch off. After only waiting about 20 minutes in the group A line we bought and brought out bottles safely back to the car and returned to the Dark Matter line to grab snifters and free coffee, that line was the longest that we waited in.. I may be the minority in this thread but I have nothing to complain about besides the weather...CHEERS to everyone that made the day great!

 

I saw a guy get a variant. When he went to leave he hit his bottle on the rail and dropped it. $50 down the drain.

 

Never had the chance to attend DLD yet but I've read (and seen pictures) about this issue every year. Just wanted to share this for future refernce:
https://www.chicobag.com/category/original
Those things are super sturdy and convenient since they fold into an attached little pouch that fits in every pocket. I've always used them for this type of thing and they have never failed.

Anyways, sorry to hear about the broken and stolen bottles. Hope that everyone had a great time overall.

 

Free coffee at the DMC tent?! I am kicking myself for not going in that line

 

Didn't get to the fest until 1:15. Took an hour and 15 minutes to get into the festival. Went straight to the bottle line (had group C). Took about 3 hours to get through the line. Won on my scratch off and got a 2 year brandy. Afterwards hung out with friends and shared some beers which was great. Stayed around the guest taps nearly the rest of the day (just because that's where we ended up hanging) and I was pretty disappointed. Got a firsstone Bretta rose as soon as I got there and didn't see anything too appealing after that. Maybe early in the day the guest taps were solid, but they were disappointing after 5ish. Still enjoyed the day overall due to the great company and sharing, but the festival didn't provide much for me.

 

Had cbs and huna on the guest taps with almost no waiting which was awesome and they seemed to have regular DL on everywhere I went

 

There just weren't enough people drinking at the taps for them to rotate I think. I saw 2011 DL on tap early, and later tried the following:

Bo and Luke
Penrose Wild X
New Belgium Love Cherry Oskar
Probably a few others and some FFF stuff,'didn't see any variants on tap though.

 

I had the '15 VBDL on tap for my first taste of DL. Very good but a little bit sweet. I'm hoping the cellar mellows out the sweetness.