It looks like RRBC and Mikkeller SF will be the two Bay Area spots for Zwanze Day. I have not attended one in the past and am hoping to do so this year. It would be great to get input from folks who have gone in the past, in particular about how it is handled at these two locations. I did a bit of searching in this forum and elsewhere and here is generally what I have gathered: - RRBC and Trappist Oakland were the Zwanze locations last year. Mikkeller SF also seems to have hosted in years prior. - RRBC seems to be have been a non-ticketed event. Also seems like there has been a significant line, as one might expect. Looks like Zwanze beer and some other Cantillon were offered. - Have not found quite as much about when Mikkeller hosted in the past, but looks like this previously was a ticketed event (at least for the initial few hours). Again, Zwanze and some other Cantillon beers were available and a certain number of pours were included in the ticket price. If anyone has details on specifically what was included, pricing, etc. this would be quite helpful. Also, are there general thoughts on RRBC vs. Mikkeller for this event - perhaps overall pros and cons of each?
RRBC last year was also the day before Beatifications release so that definitely did not help the crowd
I did RRBC 2 years ago just because we happened to be in the area (or conveniently, heheh). I think I got there about 30ish minutes before opening, snagged my table, got pliny bites and was there for about 4 hours drinking zwanze, RdG, a couple other cantillon offerings and beatification b6 was on the board as well. Very chill, no wait. Had to leave a large tip though since I felt bad keeping the table for as long as I did. But since this is now 2016, all bets are off.
Locals to santa rosa will probably be in the clear this year, there is something called rites of passage and also the sonoma county harvest fair that weekend. Rooms are crazy$$ that weekend in santa rosa, although with uber you can pretty much stay anywhere. Half the reason I love staying at the flamingo is trying to stumble home after a day in the brewery. Beer all day, long walk home.....hopefully
Not only that but there is also that weird policy they have this year where people with Santa Rosa drivers licenses don't have to wait in line. That's gonna make a lot of people really upset.
