FOBAB 2015

Any word on ba abraxas? Looks like perennial brought maman to the northdown event tonight.

 

From Josh Noel, Chicago Tribune-
@joshbnoel: FoBAB 2015: 157 breweries participating, up from 94 last year. 363 beers being poured -- all-time high -- up from about 310 last year.

 

I'm driving in from Michigan. Where should I stop for lunch? Coming in on 94.

 

Any one else working the event tonight?

 

If you're coming in on 94, that route will take you right by Au Cheval and that whole West Loop area. If you're gonna be here by like 11am, I'd say just go there (lines aren't terrible at 11am) or Haymarket if you can't wait.

There is a LOT of food right off the Dan Ryan, so it really depends on what hotel (or apt., or whatever) you're staying at.

 

FFF?

 

Conjecture, but.. it was runner up to best of show last year. Can't imagine a scenario where they don't enter it again.

 

I also shot him a note last night after that went up and he spilled a few of the new breweries who would be participating but then took said Tweet down fairly quickly. One was definitely Lost Abbey. Trying to remember the other two or three he referenced....

 

Where will they even fit? The room was packed to capacity last year.

 

They've got more rooms this year if I understand correctly.

 

Really? That's awesome news, if that's the case.

 

Yes. They mentioned having much more space than last year at the voulenteer meeting.

 

It's the best holiday of the year - FOBAB!!! And Santa is even sending us some snow!

 

Any idea what these are from Goose Island?

Onzieme Heure
Real Nice Surprise
Cascara
Barricale Sloppy Seconds

 

Isn't cascara some type of tea?

That barricale one interests me quite a bit.

 

Hasn't Lost Abbey been there before? I remember a bunch of "Track" series beers in years past...

 

Real Nice Surprise is an upcoming Fulton & Wood beer. Blend of Rum, Brandy, Bourbon barrel aged porter

 

I think Real Nice Surprise is an "egg nog porter." Saw this written on some event page I can't remember.

 

theres definitely different rooms this year. such as a sour room

 

Sadly, the guy who was selling us his tickets for Saturday Afternoon backed out last minute. I'm trying to decide between Saturday afternoon (if I can find tickets) and Saturday evening. Is there a worry that availability of beers may be an issue for the last session? Or do they allocate them across sessions pretty well?