FOBAB 2016

To be fair they have label approval for the maple rye (even though it sounds gross) and the scotch prop (i have never wanted a beer more). So I suppose that it could be a suprise but I just dont see it.

 

Maple Rye is Prop, though, right? So that would be nationwide.

 

Exactly why I guessed those two. The labels have already been approved. They could theoretically release them at any time.

 

I thought these were discovered because someone found them in the submission to the government?

Either they are bringing Rare 2.0 or cleaning out the cellar from previous varieties of BCBS dating back to original rare if I had to guess. Or better yet, they have some BCBS cuvee using all the soured BCBS variants...

 

Well, wait. Is this dude talking about FoBAB or Bourbon County's general release? Where you at dude?

 

I believe there is a difference between the Maple Rye and Prop. I can't recall exactly what it is, but I'm pretty sure there is a difference. If you go back and look through the BCBS threads, it's in there somewhere (I'm too lazy to do that).

 

I'm glad this starts tomorrow I feel like we are just posting to post now... lol

 

Looks the same to me.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bP2i3h1v_ls/V4-UZ1aa9TI/AAAAAAAESrY/bh7RaXYp8n0/s1600-h/image%255B5%255D.png

EDIT: I see the difference. This says Maple Syrup added. Not just Maple Syrup barrels.

 

Yeah, I knew it was VERY similar, but couldn't recall that small difference. Either way, I like the sound of both of them. Excited to try Prop this weekend.

 

I'm not getting my hopes up for any surprise bourbon county. If there is, great. I've also been told by employees that there are no more kegs of Rare 2010.

 

Does anyone employ a particular strategy for picking out beers to taste? Obviously, one can not taste everything. Random? Description? Brewery rep? I'm not familiar with all of the Chicago land breweries (some) so how does one pick?

Also I know volunteers pour, but do brewers ever come out to pour or brewery reps? Or do they stay in the back and hang out or judge?

 

At the first Goose Island Block Party they had Rare and called it the last keg ever.

 

You will get a booklet when you are in line, so you can start to look at that and see what beers you want to make a priority. Also, at least for the last two years, the beers are grouped by category, and it shouldn't be too crowded that you can't walk down the aisles to see what piques your interest as well.

No harm in looking up a list of the participating breweries, doing a little research, and making a point to check out their offerings.

Or, you can always start in one of the GI lines, and scan your booklet while you wait for some Bourbon County.

I generally like to go for breweries that do not distribute to Ohio that I have wanted to try, and look for specific beers that I would most likely never taste if not for FOBAB (like Veritas last year and Side Project the year before).

But, there will always be beers that you will miss, just because there are so many. And, most of the award winners seem to be unheralded or less heralded breweries or beers that a lot of people (myself included) will skip over. I like to think I will pick more by description this year, as opposed to big names, but we shall see.

 

Glad I drank some there then!

 

You wont even try 10% of the beers available so find the couple you really want to try and then just try whatever. This'll be my 3rd FoBAB and in the previous 2 I only poured out 2 beers. Every thing else has been at the very least drinkable.

 

Voulenteers Pour. Brewers/Employees will walk around. They will have different cups. They in my experience are just their to party. All super chill but most just want to hang out with their fellow industy employees.

You will see the highlights posted from Friday Saturday morning. Last year it was veritas for me. Then I went to the BCS line for rare. Then after that we pretty much just wandered. The booklet was broken out by style last year so we hit out high level sours, had a bcs, hit high level stouts, had a bcs. After that we just wandered and tried what ever peaked our interest. If you go in with FOMO on the mind you will have a terrible time. It is a fairly well regarded competition, nobody is bringing bad beer.

 

Is the BCBS line typically the longest and run out the quickest? I definitely want to try out the new stuff (and some of the older stuff like Templeton Rye), but wondered if I need to get in line for that first thing if I want it. Or, can I hit a few others and then see if the lines for BCBS die down???

 

The line for Goose stuff moves super fast because they have 4 or so volunteers pouring out of pitchers. I don't think I ever waited more than 8 minutes?

 

Im still here, just almost wishing i didn't say anything haha, and im talking about BCS release. Its going to be a good year...

 

Perennial will be there, no stouts

Devils Heart of Gold
Funky Wit
Foeder Saison