FOBAB 2014

The lines moved very fast for the amount of people, A lot of the stuff sold out super early. I had the hour early entry so that helped. Side Project Raspe or something like that sold out in like 30 minuets. I was lucky enough to try it i suggest hitting that up first, all the way to the back just to the right 0221.

 

Thanks!

Is it the same beer lineup for each session?

 

Holy Santa Claus shit; Barrel Aged Coming Home from Grand Teton.
You know where i'll be after my volunteer shift for the first session tomorrow!

 

Vanilla rye was out of this world. Prop kicked way too soon. BA Abraxus - forget about it - need to be on the pre pre list for that. I thought the layout was bunk - really hard to move around the first two hours

 

This event is no longer wjat

 

Sad I didn't get to try side projects offering or chocolate rain but here are some beers that I found quite tasty:
Off color dino'snores at the barricale table
Pipeworks over the line
Three Floyds chevalier ( I wasn't impressed by there other offerings)
Wisecraft holy candy- light body but nice sweet dubbel
The barricale offering by 5 rabbit brewery
This is just my opinion and everyone's tastes are different; just throwing out my 2¢

 

This event now sucks. Walk in at 6:05... BA Abraxas is kicked. What kind of event lets people in 1 hour early to drink all the good beer? Total let down. Prop and vanilla out within 1 hour of opening. Line was 45 minutes long. Definitely not worth the entrance fee.

 

So does Goose have Prop and a bunch of the others at a spot separate from the Vanilla Rye and others listed in the program? Just a shitshow there?

How was the BCBBW through coffee randall?

 

i've learned the past few years that it's probably best to avoid the GI table. i know i'll get a chance (you will too) to try prop, vanilla, etc this year. your best bet is to try other things. 45 minutes in a line to get what might already have kicked? that could have been two opportunities to try other stuff. in no way am i shitting on GI, i'm just saying go nuts on other small or no lines. i've been lucky many times to run into people i know who will have what i want (without waiting in line) and they always offer a taste.

in 2012, i got in the BA Abraxas line twice. each time was maybe 5 minutes to wait. it was so good i had to get seconds, otherwise, i wouldn't have repeated. the second session, through social media, made BA abraxus the number one go to and that kicked asap.
2013, everyone ran to BA Abraxas, i didn't bother. i loved it, would love to try again but i imagine in a future bottle share i'll have it. instead of that line (which snaked twice) i got some other stuff.

that being said, if you want to wait in line, go nuts too. i'm just giving an opinion. there are also folks who haven't tried that beer and probably won't. in that case, if you feel you won't. by all means, wait. it'll be worth it.

 

I bet the final group gets the benefits

 

The kind of event that's a not-so-stealth fundraiser for a craft beer lobby.

 

General thoughts on the event:

• A bit to crowded during peak times; felt oversold by 25-50%
• I miss the skyline view from the loft
• Having booths along the walls and more open space would have helped crowd flow
• Vainglorious is a hidden gem
• The Goose Island line moved fairly quick, considering
• Needed more food
• Being closer to public transit and dinner options is nice
• No elevators = win
• Much more water and dump buckets
• Mixing BCBBW and Vanilla Rye in the tables (and not just at the GI booth) made it easier to get them before they kicked...

 

Hopefully get some more reports before afternoon session tomorrow on some lesser known ones worth checking out. Glancing over list at some of the bigger names (Goose aside) is all the motivation I need to look elsewhere.

 

Founders is the senior with a bad attitude who Coach tells to not even bother dressing until he gets his shit together.

 

No I got a hook up, was back in the hallways with a few head brewers. You will get the mugs only.

 

Vainglorious was probably my favorite of the night, between that and barricle dino s'mores

 

Off Color was very good last night, Dino s'mores was one of my favorite.

 

This event has always let IMBIBE members in an hour early, that hasn't changed. The amount of people definitely has. I'd say 500ish people got in an hour early and its really unfortunate but they kicked several taps and bottles before the GA crowd even stepped foot in the door. That includes all the Side Project, BA Abraxad, and maybe V013 and Nthulhu but they may have lasted until just after 6. That really does suck

I really dont know what benefits they would get. Every tap there has exactly 3 sixtels; 1 per session. Also it was almost impossible to use all your tickets as no one bothered taking them. Second and third session won't have the disadvantage of people getting in early to kick beets though

 

That's how it was last year.