Stone's 18th Anniversary Celebration

I just checked the site. Where is the 'Rare beer' section option?

 

Found it. All access pass. For $40 more, they should give you more tasters than the regular ticket.

 

15 was enough for me. So 15 tasters of better beer is....well, better.

 

Been to the VIP 'Rare Beer' section each of the last 3 years with my group of close friends, it's the one event we all make sure to do together every year, so maybe I have a bit of a bias towards it. Basically tho, I would not do it any other way than VIP - significantly better beer options, more chill atmosphere, much more space, more time to enjoy your beers - oh yeah and the all you can eat tacos are wonderful. I usually wander down to the general section to grab a specific beer or 2 and it's just jammed with people, lines, nowhere to sit, etc.

That's my experience anyway.

 

Very interested in the feedback in this thread. My buddy and I were weighing options ourselves tonight.

Thanks in advance, all!

 

What's the difference between the Friday night VIP and the Saturday "Rare"? I've done the Friday night the past couple of years and liked the lack of lines, plus they say that many of the Friday beers are not available on Saturday.

 

I've attended this festival for the last four year. It is my favorite beer festival of the year. In the past, I have only attended Session B ( 3:00 - 6:00 ). This year I've decided to get the All Access Pass, which gives you access to both sessions and the Rare Beer section. My main motivation is to enjoy the festival at a slower pace. In past years, I found myself rushing from line to line, in an attempt to taste everything at the top of my list. Don't get me wrong, this festival is well worth attending even if you come for one session. But for me I'm looking forward to the extra time and the added bonus of the rare beer section.

I've also bought a ticket to the brewers reception on Friday. That will be a first for me too.

Hopefully, the Lost Abbey will have the pre-festival breakfast in their tasting room, like in years past. It makes for quite a nice day for a BA.

 

Get the VIP All access passes. You won't regret it. AB Huna two years ago, BA Mac Coconut porter and Beat last year to name a few. I have never finished the 15 tasters and my wife gets the DD ticket. The all-u-can-eat tacos kick ass too.

 

All Access is the way to go, for the various reasons already stated: more time and space, interesting beers, and tacos.

 

All Access is the way to go. Last years festival with the expanded space was phenomenal, and this year they have expanded even more.

If you need more than 15 tasters, do what we do and buy the designated driver an all access pass so you can drink up all his tickets. Also bring girls because they never drink all 15.

 

the brewers festival the night before is smaller, but has unlimited tasters (which you probably wont make it past 15 of them anyways) and brewers walking around hangin out with everyone else. theres a lot of stone brewers on hand as well, and its a lot cooler temperature wise once the sun sets vs the anni party! which is hot as heck so be prepared, i would bring a water bottle so you can keep refilling it. vip tickets, like everyone else is saying, offers some more shady spots!

 

Sheeeet. Did both just to be sure! Hope to see other BAers there.....


Jim

 

All Access is amazing. Do it.

 

There was Beatification pouring last year? Holly....

BTW, I missed the last years event but I really want to go this year. I just have a few questions:

Could someone please explain to me the main differences between the Brewer's Reception and the VIP/All day pass?
Could anyone post some examples of those "rare beers"? (I see those three mentioned before but I'm just curious what else to expect). Also, what are the differences beer-wise between Friday and Saturday
Regarding food: does anyone remember if there were vegetarian options available? Are there differences in food offered between FRI/SAT?
And finally, is 45oz enough? It doesn't sounds like it, especially for the whole day...even if you drink only double digit alc % monsters But maybe it's just that I'm polish, I need more J/K

 

I got that All Access. I also think 15 is is not enough for all day. 15 at oakquinox is perfect and all those are 8%+. Oakquinox is only 4 hours so hopefully i can get more while im there?

 

all access is goin quickly folks, just fyi! so do not sit on your decision, they might be all sold out by this weekend!

 

I was spoiled by getting an all access brewers pass last year. The VIP all day pass definitely seams worth it based on the beer selection and unlimited amounts of food.

 

Here's what Dr Bill had at his tent last year...
http://imgur.com/pIiFLkl

 

Looks like the All Access Pass has sold out.

I hope all the BAs that wanted one, got one.