Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest 2015

There was a security guy at the 3 Floyds booth near the end of the fest when they were just pouring Zombie Dust. No idea how long he was there or why, but he did stop someone from cutting while I was in line. Seems a bit late in the game to be worried about cutting for Zombie Dust, but maybe it is an indication that they'll try to address it moving forward.

A couple guys almost got into a fight over a portapotty late in the fest, I would've hated to see what would happen if it was the last pour of some Midwest tick. #craftbeer2015

 

Yeah, I think this line cutting thing is overblown, most lines didn't take but 5-10 minutes max anyway. I did see lots of "friends of brewers" walking up and getting pours though. That's to be expected I suppose.

But yeah... It was a terrible festival. No one should go next year. It's the worst. So bad. Really would never do it again...

 

Did anyone try FW PNC? What did you think?

 

I'd still contend that the line cutting was an issue but glad to see from @Xul 's post that FW seems to have actually gotten on it before the fest was over. Pretty rad! The "friends of brewers" and industry pours were actually a lot worse in years past. I definitely think there was an effort made to cut down on this to keep lines moving.

 

I had a great time at the festival and bottle share after at Adelaide. I'd like to extend a big middle finger up to the jackass that was screaming at the top of his lungs at his chick in the parking lot of Adelaide at 11PM though. If you effed it up for everyone, I hope all your beers are infected from now until eternity.

 

I tried it and thought it was great.

 

Honestly, I should have spent more time at the FW tent. They had some great things going there all day.

 

I agree. I loved the Bravo in Evan Williams Blue Label barrels.

 

Thanks for the info OU. I was able to buy a bottle from BW buy fail to catch a taste at the fest.

 

Add paid a arm n a leg for it. So kind of worried about the bottle

 

Had a bottle at Toro SD not too long ago and it was amazeballs.

 

PNC is a great beer. Every time I see David Walker I ask him to brew it again. He keeps saying it will never happen.

 

That's true. David Walker will never brew PNC.

 

I mean, I saw a bit of it happening but it wasn't bad enough to kill my vibe. Enough "oh shit" moments, were people did go to the back of lines, to balance it out.

 

Well what I meant by overblown wasn't that it wasn't happening, but rather that it didn't really set the tone of the day for me. I didn't leave thinking "damn line cutters," I left excited for next year haha.

 

Dude, there's barrels of it sitting in Barrelworks right now with it. So, I guess it's true he'll never brew it again, cause it's already brewed.

That "Beer Geek Package" they were selling that included it also indicates that shit will show up on the shelf again in the future.

 

Home sour home was a stand out for me so damn tasty!!

 

FYI...places are already booking up for next year. This is my third year out and did my usual check out and reserve room and at 1045 I was given the last King Bed at Adelaide. I am guessing people are over reserving for next year.

There felt like more people but also a bit more mellow this year as well. The bottle share gets crazier and crazier each year...the amount of almost full forgotten bottles was just shameful. This of course May contributed to the mellowness the day of the event.

Surprised on the 3 Floyd win, not too say they don't make good beer. I was a little disappointed In Southern Tier and Odell's this year...I just thought they had consistently knocked it out of the park in the years past.

Kudos to Ballast Point who when they noticed their lines getting long, sent a couple of guys back to fill Grapefruit Sculpin and pass out swag while you waited. The Pineapple Passionfruit Grunion was one of my favorite kick back beers of the day.

Boneyard is always one of my favorites and did not change.

I avoided Cigar City, Alchemist, and Side Project because those lines were ridiculously long...thankful had all those before so was happy for the distraction to others.

In all...a lot of babble to simply say that you To the Firestone Walker crew for a great event. Also thank you to the Adelaide staff for putting up with us.

 

Oh yeah! Come to think if it, this is 2 years in a row that Ballast Point has linepoured me some Grapefruit Sculpin. They seemed to have a ton of people working their booth so the line went quickly, but it was nice to keep my glass full. Missed the red Sour Wench, but had the one with Apricots. Was a nice refresher.

 

I know about those barrels and I'm glad it keeps showing up at release and the anniversary party.