MBG Summer Beer Fest lineup

i thought that smells like weed did not smell like weed, and was not nearly as good as years past. any one else agree with me that went on friday?

 

Darkhorse had the best setup. The Livery had the best beer.

 

I feel the same way. Quality-wise, The Livery was hands down my favorite, I like every beer I had from them (the only one I didn't try was Taxman). Dark Horse, on the other hand, was killing it with their set-up and overall quantity.

It makes me really excited for the Livery Anniversary Party and this year's 4 Elf Party.

 

I didnt get to try Taxman, it was out. Monster 29 was awesome and i had a caramel something porter from dog something that was great too. Loved Dark Horses metal trailer.

 

Big Rock Raspberry Berliner for the win!

 

Taxman was probably my favorite beer of the fest!
Nice roasty-ness, bourbon & chocolate. Definitely full bodied.

I'll have to post all my other favorites tomorrow

 

I guess I'm in the minority here, but I - and everyone in my group - HATED the setup at Dark Horse. It just felt like a giant clusterfuck. Huge line outside to get into the tent with no idea what to expect until you were inside. Once in there, people spread out into a giant crowd. There were no discernable lines and you couldn't tell what tables had what until you were right up there. They had different beers at different tables, but they were all so close together that it didn't really matter, you couldn't get in line for a particular one. Once the crowd moved up and you were close enough to see what was at each table, you had to fight your way over to the one you wanted. All the while, metal music is blaring so loud you can't hear yourself think. At one point, another person in my group looked at me and said "I want out of here!" But you're stuck once in there and pretty much have to go through the line and out the door at the rear of the tent, which for some reason led you up the stairs into a trailer, then down a ramp to get out.

So basically I thought it was a crowded, loud, hot, stuffy, disorganized mess. Otherwise I had a great time at the fest, and finally got to try Bourbon Plead the Fifth and Black Note after getting shut out at previous festivals.

 

I am definitely in agreement with you on this one. It was a clusterfuck, and it smelled bad. It's like they took their idea from last year, where they spread it out to prevent lines, and did a complete 180 to create one insanely long line. Luckily I came for the early hour, or I probably wouldnt have even bothered with Dark Horse.

 

Well, then I too am in the minority. I really don't care how many kegs they brought, because the set-up made getting more than one or two of them pretty impractical if you actually wanted to have sufficient time to make the rounds and hit up other booths between headlining pours (Black Note, Eruption, ect).

 

The Livery got most of my tokens. This was my first year as an enthusiast member and getting in an hour early was definitely worth it. The Dark Horse set up wasn't bad when there was only a few people there, but once they let everyone else in at 1 my group only went back 1 time because of the craziness. Also, I loved the fact that they were pouring Black Note 50 feet from the gate as soon as we were let in. My favorite beer was either BA Red Molly or the cask eruption with raspberries.

 

Jesus, those beers from The Livery were insane!

 

Well, I completely disagree with the Dark Horse bashing. Everything you guys hated, I loved. The line moved pretty fast and they had everything listed outside so you could decide what you wanted.
The crazy atmosphere with the loud music was classic and awesome DH!

 

To each their own, I'm sure a lot of people loved it. Personally, I think last year's setup of multiple tables spread out throughout the fest to reduce lines and have access to their beers wherever you were was much better.

 

For those that ventured over, I hope you enjoyed the brews at the Short's table!

 

Any idea when a list of the beers you guys are bringing to Ashley's Westland on Aug10-11 might be announced?

 

Thought the bba black cherry porter was really good. I like hanging in the back forty!
IMHO there are too many people at the fest on Saturdays. I don't know what the solution is though.
More opinions: The food was lacking. Many breweries brought their A game. Greenbush made a great debut. Bells, Livery, Bad Bear, New Holland were among the standouts for me. Founders had better step it up. Many people were pissed about KBS again.

 

Greenbush--what a great line-up! hail to the pooh-bas!

 

Not sure yet. I'll try to keep you in the loop though.

 

Highlight brewery for me was The Livery. I was really impressed by their sours and the BA Taxman had a barrel character that rivaled Black Note.

Dark Horse had some awesome stuff on tap, too, but I didn't particularly want to keep going back. It was bad enough going in during the hour before the doors opened and it was just insane by 4:00 on Saturday. Also, it smelled like a barn in there on Friday.

I was pouring for Big Rock for most of the day on Friday and Saturday. Was sporting my Florida beer shirts (Wakefield and CCB). People loved that Raspberry Berliner.

 

You poured the Berliner for me a few times. I complimented you on the CCB shirt.