Darkness Day 2014 Thread

Got to the park and started my setup around noon friday and there were around twenty other people there. Chose a good setup spot not directly in the front so there was some breathing room and had an awesome time. Drove up solo and couldn't have had a better time. Probably slept an hour all night, stood by some firepots and had some guys pouring vintage Utopias at around 4am for the volunteer traffic guys and the few people still up. I felt out-gunned with the amount being shared and the quality of beer. I already have a few cases put togethor for this year in my cellar including a seven year dark lord vertical.

 

Rochester has received extra shipments of darkness this year...when I asked the guy at the liquor store he said it was Darkness sent back from Chicago that they could not sell

 

I call bullshit on that, Darkness flew off the shelf

 

Ha, it didn't sit around in the Twin Cities either. However, we all got a second release when they made another batch for them to send to Chicago - not because you guys didn't buy em, but as a bonus.

 

Well, I officially took that Friday off from work today. My body is ready.

 

My guess is this will be the last one at the old brewery. Last week at the Surly run someone from there said this will be the last year Surly Fest is there.

 

I feel like this has been discussed a few times before on here...isn't it not possible for darkness day to be at the new brewery because state law will not allow them to sell bottles directly to consumers, but in brooklyn center you are technically buying the bottles from the municipal liquor store so it's ok? Or are we optimistically presuming additional changes to state liquor laws?

 

If the new space is big enough then sure they'll have surly fest there, why wouldn't they? Show off the new digs? However, Darkness is a completely different event if you consider the overnighters on Friday and the fact that it's really a bottle share and bottle sale so until someone who works there comes out and says that Darkness is moved then I say keep on believing it'll be at the old brewery for the foreseeable future.

 

It's more than just that. The only reason Darkness Day can currently happen legally is because Surly leases space in the brewery each year to the Brooklyn Center municipal liquor store. They sell the beer to the liquor store, and it's the liquor store that sells Darkness to the public every year not Surly. Minneapolis doesn't have municipal liquor stores to rent out to Surly, and Surly is too big under current law to sell beer to the public on site. Thus, if Darkness Day is to continue it has to stay in Brooklyn Center for time being.

 

Makes sense to move SurlyFest, they've talked about their "new" beer garden.

 

Thinking about making the big drive up north with the fiance and maybe some others as dld this last year was such a blast. I'm just paranoid about making that big a trip and not getting any bottles. Will definitely bring some goodies from the cellar and some sweet prairie stuff if I go.

 

Bring some Prairie and methinks you will have no trouble getting bottles even if you didn't get a wristband.

 

Just want to say guys, the Beer Community can be really generous. Just mentioned to my local beer guy that I was reading up on Darkness Day here on Beeradvocate, and that I was really excited to attend this year. Told him, I've only had Darkness on tap, and couldn't wait to score some bottles. He promptly went down to the store cellar and grabbed a 2013 bottle for me. Put a big smile on my face!

Also, thanks for all the great tips on attending this upcoming Darkness Day. It's looking like I m going to make this a big part of my bachelor party (getting married on 11/09). Hoping I get to meet some of you guys there, and I'll make sure to bring some of my best bottles from my modest cellar.

 

I had Darkness for the first time last weekend (and it was on tap), and instantly fell in love.

I don't think I'll be able to make it to DD, and I've never purchased Darkness before. Here is my question, how hard is it to get Darkness at local liquor stores? How widely distributed is it?

 

If you pay attention to when it's released you'll be able to snag some, but it won't stick around for long at the more popular shops - a few hours at the most. Some of the shops off the beating path last a while, especially if they mark up the price quite a bit.

 

Plan on going this year. Probably going to get in line around 7AM.

 

First year I got in line at around 6am. Next year around 5am. Then 2am, then 1am. Last year around 8pm!

And yet, every year I'm farther from the front of the line.

 

How long after DD does it usually hit shelves?

 

Lets see, last year I got there for the 'general public' sale. Got my full allotment.

I think it hit stores the following week, and stuck around for a while.

Side note - I cracked a Seviin last night. It still was not that good.

 

I cannot wait to get that in and/or around my mouth...