FOBAB 2015

ticket taking has always been inconsistent. it's a volunteer pour force and a ton of people. stuff gets missed.

I believe the ticket thing is ultimately a legal one though. I've been told on multiple occasions (potentially incorrectly, but I trust my sources) that festivals in IL have to have them. I never go in expecting them to not take them..

Even with that though.. 20 really ought to be enough. I doubt I'd go back for seconds.

 

For past volunteers what is the training like?

 

Yes it is legally required in Illinois. It was never really enforced though until a big beer fest at Soldier Field (American Beer Classic IIRC) reported another beer fest happening the same weekend for not having tickets. They were afraid people would go to the festival with unlimited instead of theirs which had limited pours via a ticket system. Since then everyone has needed to do the ticket system.

 

Stupid midwest states and their backward beer laws...

Also, I think if you only got 20 pours, that would still probably be enough. I'm not sure I had more than 20 when I was there (what with sampling my girlfriend's beers as well), and my palate was definitely shot by the end (not to mention my body was starting to feel the effects of alcohol in the bloodstream). If it becomes an issue, I'm sure you can find someone to bum tickets off of (assuming you don't want to purchase more).

 

Yea I remember Beer Camp being billed as unlimited tastings and getting around the law by giving everyone 50 or 100 tickets.

 

and that's really the stupid part of the whole law. there's nothing stopping an event from giving us all 100 tickets.

 

IIRC, FoBAB has always been a ticketed event. I'm assuming because of the event rules as well as the ABV of the beers, generally speaking. in the past, extra tickets have been about $1-$1.50, though last year you had to buy an entire sheet.

 

An entire sheet and a nearby motel room, I would hope. If you need a whole 'nother sheet of tickets, you are either in a group or looking for a mean hangover!!

 

The tickets thing is tied into the laws around happy hours, party packages, and the like. The FAQ from ILCC is here:
https://www.illinois.gov/ilcc/about/Pages/HappyHoursFAQs.aspx

Basically, what stops FOBAB (and other beer fests) from serving unlimited samples is that the events are "open to the general public" via ticket sales.

Then again, every state has their stupid alcohol laws. At least we can buy cold beer from gas stations... and buy liquor stronger than 3.2 from the grocery store... and buy liquor at all on Sundays/after 8pm...

 

I'll be walking with some buddies from union station to the UIC for the Saturday early session, any must hit spots for grub and a beer before/after the fest? I've seen people talk about Haymarket, but just looking for other options. Cheers guys!

 

I was recently in N.C. (Chapel Hill) for a weekend (well, until Monday), and man did I miss Sunday liquor purchases.

 

I'm gonna go ahead and throw Au Cheval in there, if you have the time. It's consistently ranked as one of the best (if not THE best) burger in the city (and in the US in one ranking, I think). There's usually a wait for a table, but that's a great place to say you've eaten (and I do think the burger with bacon is one of the best out there), and they've got a very solid beer list. Lone Wolf right next to it is basically a 3 Floyd's bar, so you can drink there while waiting for your table at Au Cheval!

Also, Haymarket has pretty good food and great beers, so that's another excellent option. If you're feeling adventurous (this isn't beer-related), you can go straight south on Halsted (from where Haymarket/Au Cheval are at) and eat in Greektown, which is also a lot of fun. It's literally 10 minutes walking; I'd go with Greek Islands, myself.

 

I know, I know, you're looking for other options but Haymarket is the best option in my opinion. Kiddie corner from there is Au Cheval, too. If you have the time to wait to be seated at Au Cheval (could be upwards of 2.5 hours), spend it drinking at Haymarket.

 

@SeanBond beat me to it.

 

Great minds! I would eat at Au Cheval given those 2 options, but yeah, I would definitely drink at Haymarket before/after, and honestly, eating at Haymarket is totally worth it too.

 

Are we truly advocating pregaming FOBAB?

 

BTW --

Brooklyn Brewery tweeted out what they're bringing.. Not sure if that's unprecedented or not, but I've always been under the impression breweries aren't supposed to do that.

K is for Kriek
Black Ops
Hand & Seal Congac Barrel

 

If you have time Au Cheval. If you dont haymarkt right near there has good food and beer.

 

Hey, he said "food and a beer"!

I'm going Friday night, and I most certainly am not drinking anything but water and/or caffeine beforehand.