FOBAB 2015

I went at 4:30 last saturday and we waitied 4 hours (at the bar next door).

 

He was probably thinking of Campari as a comparison, which is just as awful if drank straight.

 

The kitchen closes from 3-5pm FYI
http://auchevalchicago.com/contact/

 

I would call and double check. We walked in at 4:30 last friday and they were definately serving/cooking.

 

Holy jeebus... That is insanity. Do they at least take your number to tell you when your table is ready? Or use the NoWait App?

 

They take your phone number and will text you when your table is ready. Also, as the other guy says, the kitchen is closed from 3-5. So getting there at 2:30 is going to be a no go unless you are putting your name in for the 5pm dinner service.

 

I've been able to get there around 1:45-2:00pm and be seated just before the 3pm kitchen close. As long as you get your order in quickly the will cook it. But it was only a 45 minute wait for a table for 2... not sure if you'd have the same luck waiting on a table for 4+ people.

 

Yeah I'm thinking the logistics behind doing this day of FOBAB just isn't going to happen hah.

 

Back to FOBAB...Can I bring in a bag/backpack?

 

The only thing I'll give them credit for is that their system works pretty well. I'll go in an ask for a table, and once I've got my cell phone registered with them, I go kill time at a place like Haymarket (or the eating areas in Whole Foods/Mariano's), and wait for my text. I don't know how well that'll work for before FoBAB, though...Maybe after?

 

You could in years past. Also, they have a coat/bag check.

 

If you want a good burger before FOBAB, go to Three Aces. It's a much shorter walk and is fantastic. Just make sure you only drink water...

 

Does anyone who has done the Friday imbibe session in the past have any advice as far as when to show up? Does it make sense to get to the venue half an hour to an hour early to line up, or is it best to just roll in right around 5?

 

I would guess better than 50%. Stone has been to FOBAB at least the last 3 years, that's when I started going, and has always brought something not otherwise available in Illinois. And the Xoco variants are the only BA beers they have released recently.

 

Not on snapchat but goose island said they'll doing a sneak peak of what they're pouring on there

 

Here's your answer... not too shabby

• '15 Prop
• Onzieme Heure
• '15 BCBBW
• Madame Rose
• Real Nice Surprise
• '15 BCBS Coffee
• '14 Prop
• '15 Rare
• Cascara
• '15 BCBS
• Gillian
• '15 Regal Rye
• '15 Lolita
• '14 Vanilla Rye
• Barricale Sloppy Seconds

 

Having never been to FOBAB before, more than anything I'm curious about the chaos of these lines and if it will be nearly impossible to get some of the more rare pours.

I've never had Abraxas before, so I'd obviously love to get my hands on a pour of that and some of the other mysteries that other breweries will have in store.

 

My advice is take a relaxed attitude because there are great beers everywhere. There are going to be some beers that everybody wants, have long lines and run out fairly quickly. I think Veritas was one of those last year. After the awards are announced a bunch of people will run to the winners.

Bur seriously there are plenty of beers there that would have long lines at any other show, where at Fobab the pourer will be standing there doing nothing.

There is usually a bit of a wait from the time you get the program to when you get in, and I usually look to see which ones I really would like to try. I get to those first then just take it easy and try different beers.

BTW plain Abraxas isn't barrel-aged so I don't think you will see it at Fobab although I have seen BA Abraxas in the past. That's usually popular so you might head there first.

 

Last year Goose Island booth had huge line almost all night. That was where all the BCBS variants were, I waited in it once.

BA Abraxas and Chocolate Rain had busy lines until they tapped out within the first 30 minutes or so.

Nuthulu usually had a medium line, but only like 10-15 people max. Didn't take long to get through.

Everything else was less than that basically to 5 people in line or 0 people.

 

Pretty sure it is going to be a mason jar. I saw a picture last week online of what was likely going to be the glass they use and it was a FOBAB mason.