Victory at Sea Day 2016

Been the past 2 years. Normal hours...Scripps Ranch is usually the location less traveled. Although it did change last year since more ppl did show up. I think 1 variant kicked all day of being there.

Food is a hit or miss though as to what popup tent or truck shows up.

 

I did get in 30 ish minutes early one year. Not sure which one but I think it is the one where we got the goblet. Tickets were at the door.

Arrive early only if there is swag you want or some super secret uber special variant you want to try. Otherwise, feel free to be lazy because there is a lot of it.

 

Lines got a bit long at LI last year but wasnt anything too crazy. Also think we had more tasters last year (6-8?) so might cut back a little. From what I remember nothing kicked while I was there. Getting somewhere to sit was impossible but its like that sometimes on regular days. LI isn't exactly big though, so that could be a different story at other spots. Might not be the whalezbro event people go nuts over but it was a super fun day with the ability to go to a good beer event where they actually have several tvs showing football

 

The variants were all being poured mostly outside and some at the inside bar at Miramar. You might have been able to ask them to get you pours but you might have to bite the bullet and get up yourself.

As for sitting, should be no issue sitting at a table or even teh nice little couch area that is just outside of the bar. I know I posted up there before with friends, beer, and a cards against humanity game for a few hours.

 

I went to Miramar for V@S 2 years ago and my group of 5-6 had no problems getting a table when they opened. We could only order a few of the tasters from the waiter, had to go to the outside bar area for the rest.

 

LI isn't big? It's huge, dude.

 

I guess in comparison to the Miramar location its small, tbh never been to any of the others.

 

I guess that's true. I still remember the Old Grove loc, pre-interior expansion... pre-patio.

God that place was small

 

Maybe 10-15ppl comfortably. Old, small tasting rooms....oh how I miss you Alesmith Cabot.

 

That place on a Friday evening was a fucking madhouse. I miss Amber, she is so nice.

 

Ballast's website for their locations participating in VaS day is pretty large. How does the BP in Long Beach compare? What about the non-BP places like Naja's place?

 

Went to Victory at Sea Day last year for my first time at the Little Italy location. I want to say they opened at 10AM that day or maybe 10:30 but I know it was earlier than usual because they open on Sundays early? Anyways, it was pretty packed. Lines were fairly short though considering the amount of people at the time I went, maybe like five deep at most. I think it's also because they had a bunch of tap areas, even the gift shop was pouring beers.

 

From what I remember, the non-BP places have like 4 or 5 variants instead of the 15+ that BP will have. There might be exceptions but I would check the social media of any non-BP place you're considering

 

• OG Victory at Sea
• Peppermint V@S
• Coconut V@S
• Peanut Butter V@S
• Nitro V@S
• Tart Cherry V@S
• Chai Spiced V@S
• Thai Iced Coffee V@S
• Vanilla Bean V@S
• Orange Chocolate V@S
• Mexican Hot Chocolate V@S
• Maple Bourbon V@S
• Bread Pudding V@S
• Mint Cookie V@S
• Oreo V@S
• Devil's Share Whiskey Barrel Aged V@S
• Devil's Share Bourbon Barrel Aged V@S
• Plus other BA varieties
• PLUS: Home Brew Mart-only vertical of 2008-2013 V@S

Seems like this list is a little smaller than years past? And not much new either. Still a good time, guessing all or most of these should last for some time. Last yr LI had quite a few left for the following week

 

No f$$$ing cereal!?!??!?

I've been looking forward to this stupid beer since last year's VAS Day!!