RE: when to show up
Some of this is just my opinion, and if things turn out differently don't blame me, but this is all how it's been going lately. I think when you "need" to show up is totally up to you. Although I don't recall seeing it in writing any place this year, a "golden ticket" usually guarantees you an allotment of Dark Lord. I'm sure that's the case this year as well. (They just don't necessarily tell you what the allotment is going to be too far in advance. It's been four bottles in recent years, and I recall it was six back in 2007. Expect four this year, I'd think.)
Anyway, the point is, if you have the ticket, you'll get the beer. I'm sure you're already aware, but they have three "group" times - A from 10am to noon, B from 1 to 3pm, and C from 5 to 7pm. If you're in A, you can get in line as early as you want, but they won't let the line start moving until close to or at 10 am. So you can wait in line early and not move, or you can get in the line later and move, but be in a longer line. Also, if you have an A ticket, there's nothing that precludes you from getting into the B or C groups... I believe they just try to keep the later groups from buying earlier as a method of crowd/line control.
For my own part, I have C tickets, and I'll be there early, but won't hit the line until it looks like it's moving and hopefully getting shorter. As I mentioned in an earlier post, a fair portion of the line you'll be in regardless of the group will not be on the 3F property. It's always been an outstanding time, but my biggest fear is always that something stupid will happen and the city will shut down future events. People bring homebrew to share... there's tons of sampling going on, and people from far flung areas should definitely bring some local beer to share and trade. That's a big part of what makes this an amazing event, and I sampled the BEST homebrew I've ever had at last year's event.