Dark Lord Day 2012

[jeffdill]

An hour or more just to get a beer...you gotta be kidding me.

 

[ThatGuyRyan]

Yes the lines will suck but it's still better than a few years back. Unfortunately the band is inside so you really only get to see and hear them when you actually get your beer and they try to push you out as soon as you have your beer in hand. I like the pub and they have some decent food but again that line last year was ugly I want to say it took at least 2 hours to get into the pub. But at least we spent our time with some guys who had lots of great beers and were kind enough to share with all those around them. They also had a small cooler tap setup by the pub line along the back fence that really didn’t have any lines. Mostly because you couldn’t even tell they were there with all the people in line for the pub. It was way easier to get a pint from that tap than the main guest taps. I just hope the weather forecast get a little better for Saturday. Looks cold and wet.

 

[jeffdill]

The bands are inside?? Really bummed about that, I was hoping to see Eyehategod's set. Seems like they could just double the price of the tickets and rent an outdoor stage instead? Oh well.

I hope I'll find some people to trade some beers with then! We don't have a lot of "exclusive" beers in Ohio so I'm not even sure what to bring. Maybe some Columbus Brewing Company IPA, it's pretty damn good.

 

[ArtimusBeerimus]

Just checked out several weather sites and it definitely sounds like Mother Nature won't be on our side this Saturday. Even if it's not that wet it sounds like it'll be cold. Ah well. It'll help keep the beer in my hand nice and cool.

 

[ArtimusBeerimus]

Looks like FFF posted this yesterday, including the "rare" lineup...



Gates will open at 10 a.m. Group A tickets for Dark Lord bottle sales is 10 a.m.-Noon. Group B 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Group C 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Just like last year, you take your music today ticket, get in line for Dark Lord, and it will be exchanged for a Golden Ticket. Your Golden Ticket has a scratch off portion. If you are fortunate enough to be winner, you will have the opportunity to purchase a version of Barrel Aged Dark Lord in a screen printed, hand numbered, wax dipped bottle. This year’s bottles are Bourbon Barrel Aged Dark Lord, Vanilla Bean Bourbon Barrel Aged Dark Lord, Cognac Barrel Aged Dark Lord, and Cognac Barrel Aged Dark Lord de Muerte. $50/bottle. One per person.


Bands will be playing throughout the day

 

[JonGrafto]

Looks like FFF posted this yesterday, including the "rare" lineup...

Your Golden Ticket has a scratch off portion. If you are fortunate enough to be winner, you will have the opportunity to purchase a version of Barrel Aged Dark Lord in a screen printed, hand numbered, wax dipped bottle. This year’s bottles are Bourbon Barrel Aged Dark Lord, Vanilla Bean Bourbon Barrel Aged Dark Lord, Cognac Barrel Aged Dark Lord, and Cognac Barrel Aged Dark Lord de Muerte. $50/bottle. One per person.

Really?!?! All this for some beer. Sounds like 3 Floyds is making a killing on this overhyped beer. $50.00 per bottle "if you are fortunate enough" is ridiculous. I guess it must be the lack of decent breweries in the state because I would never do this in Wisconsin.

 

[ThatGuyRyan]

On our way now. All bundeled up with plenty of homebrew

 

[louie0202]

I was there one person in our group was able to buy a barrel aged beer.

 

[DoubleAught]

So how was everyone's experience? Here in southern Indiana it was cloudy, cold, and wet. Hopefully better up north...

 

[ArtimusBeerimus]

http://iam.homebrewtalk.com/louie0202louie0202,
There were eight folks in our group and four people hit. Last year no one in our group got a BA.

If you saw any people playing a giant Jenga game, you probably saw me as that's where we were set up... that Jenga set was made the night before.



DoubleAught,
It rained in the morning but it was dry from about 8am on. The sun actually came out a bit later in the afternoon and the wind (which wasn't as bad as previously advertised) helped dry the ground.

They blocked off the street in front of the brewery for the first time this year. I'm sure it was safer from a emergency/policing perspective, but it detracted a bit from the atmosphere outside in my opinion.

Outside of some of the general madness that accompanies a snaking ticket line (which seemed a little crazier than in the past), I had a ton of fun.

Couldn't possibly remember all the beers I sampled. Pretty rocked by the end of the day, no doubt.

 

[Retrofit]

I wore hat, gloves, jacket, and a throw over raincoat. I was fine. I kept telling my buddy to do the same thing- he didn't. We found him some extra gloves (eventually) and he survived, but dressing like your going to an early Spring sporting event is the way to go.

We tried numerous rare beers generously passed around by strangers to strangers. We tried to bring the rarest beers we could find to share, but someone always had something better to share. Amazing to just stand in line and hang out with beer lovers.

One of my friends said the company that prints the scratch off's doesn't randomize them- so if you hit- many will hit and if you miss- a lot of people will miss. When we were up, the lady in front of me said, "I won!" Four people in her group won. Then I won and one of my two buddies one. We had a second group of friends there, and 4/5 of them won as well.

It seems to suggest this streak thing is true, a bunch win or no one wins.

I bought the Chili Aged, and my friend got the vanilla. Yes, $50 a bottle. I know that can sound insane to someone that doesn't get it. Frankly, I can put this bottle on Craig'slist and pay for my whole day. I might. Need to think about it.

I've got every year since 2007 or 08- I forget. I think it's a fantastic beer- one of the greatest of it's style. There is a lot of hype over this beer- there are other beers that can give it a run. It's still great.

I know there a lot of people that say it's stupid to by a beer for $15, $30, $50. Shrugs. I like the adventure. I like spending time with beer lovers, great beer, and collecting a small treasures that other people covet. For me it's a lot of fun.

 

[ThatGuyRyan]

I got a Vanilla also. And it's true that the winners are stacked. Three people In front of me all won so I thought I had no chance but I got one also. I also wore two shirts a hoodie and a rain coat. I didn't take any chances since freezing my ass off in 2010. We had a great time and killed 24/16 oz of my homebrew with a bunch of fun people in line.

 

[ArtimusBeerimus]

ThatGuyRyan,
What are the other unwaxed bombers in your photo?

By the time we made it through the line (I was in Group C), all they had left was the regular BA DL. Will rethink buying later group tickets next year.

I agree that the line is a ton of fun, but I guess it's as enjoyable as you make it. It's not like you're in line to by a Cabbage Patch doll, you know?

 

[GoldenShowerGladiator]

We had a good time. I found some females left-handed glove and used that for a large part of the day. Kept holding out that I'd find a righty somewhere but no dice. Hung out with multiple people over the course of the day. I had a giant backpack loaded with all kinds of beers that I was pouring for anyone with an empty cup. While in the Group C line I attempted to steal a frankenfurter off the grill when they werent looking and gt busted. They were cool. I gave the guy $10 as long as i got a bun to go with it. Yep. I stole from him and still set the rules of how it was going to play out. Wish i knew they had bottles of Rye Da Lightning for sale. Helluva beer

 

[Retrofit]

We brought a cooler of beers and I quickly wished I had a back pack of beers instead. Next time, I'll do the back pack thing. I was out of line and leaving when I learned they had Rye Da Lighting for sale. My only 'regret'. Next time!

 

[GoldenShowerGladiator]

i had a bottle of 2002 Dogfish Head World Wide Stout (22% or whatever it is) that i was looking to trade for a Pliny but all the Pliny's i came across had some months on them. i know i can get a lot more for this bottle but i'm a simple dude.

 

[conpewter]

It was a fun time, I did see the giant Jenga game, looked fun

I think there were a lot more barrel aged beers this year, according to the numbers on the bottles it looks like there was about a 50/50 chance of winning one. My friend and I both got one. He asked me to sell his as he can't really afford to have $50 tied up in a bottle of beer (no matter how wonderful it is) I'm planning on keeping my BA bottle. His is the regular barrel aged, mine is w/ vanilla (woot!). It is tempting to sell it though, I love Dark Lord, but $300 for a bottle of beer is crazy - what they are willing to pay on ebay/craigslist.

Got to share some fun beers in line, my friend brought a 2011 Dark Lord to pass around, I took some homebrew stout and others. It was much colder than I thought, so I was a bit cold all day, but once I got enough samples in me I wasn't as cold anymore

Also... did I just miss where you got your free sample for the ticket purchase? I know in years past you would get a pour of dark lord for the ticket.

If I get tickets next year I plan to get there really early so I can actually get in the brewpub this year. Any advice on that?

 

[ThatGuyRyan]

ThatGuyRyan,
What are the other unwaxed bombers in your photo?

By the time we made it through the line (I was in Group C), all they had left was the regular BA DL. Will rethink buying later group tickets next year.

I agree that the line is a ton of fun, but I guess it's as enjoyable as you make it. It's not like you're in line to by a Cabbage Patch doll, you know?

Live a Rich life, Belgian double pale ale. $10 per $100 a case . Got a case of each that and Zombie Dust. They sold it at the merchandise tent outside the brewery directly left of the brewpub on your way out of the warehouse.

 

[ThatGuyRyan]

It was a fun time, I did see the giant Jenga game, looked fun

I think there were a lot more barrel aged beers this year, according to the numbers on the bottles it looks like there was about a 50/50 chance of winning one. My friend and I both got one. He asked me to sell his as he can't really afford to have $50 tied up in a bottle of beer (no matter how wonderful it is) I'm planning on keeping my BA bottle. His is the regular barrel aged, mine is w/ vanilla (woot!). It is tempting to sell it though, I love Dark Lord, but $300 for a bottle of beer is crazy - what they are willing to pay on ebay/craigslist.

Got to share some fun beers in line, my friend brought a 2011 Dark Lord to pass around, I took some homebrew stout and others. It was much colder than I thought, so I was a bit cold all day, but once I got enough samples in me I wasn't as cold anymore

Also... did I just miss where you got your free sample for the ticket purchase? I know in years past you would get a pour of dark lord for the ticket.

If I get tickets next year I plan to get there really early so I can actually get in the brewpub this year. Any advice on that?

They didn't do the free tasting last year either. But it seems like they are selling more barrel aged beers now vs the free samples to me.

 

[clopez0]

I went with my two siblings who just went for fun. We all got winning tickets. I was surprised really. Looks like I have 3 rare dark lords :rockin:
It was my first time there but the line was a complete mess. It seemed like no one really knew where the line ended or started. I definitely had a great time though. It seemed like as soon as my cup was empty someone in line gave me another tasting. Very cool crowd!

 

[rico567]

Really?!?! All this for some beer. Sounds like 3 Floyds is making a killing on this overhyped beer. $50.00 per bottle "if you are fortunate enough" is ridiculous. I guess it must be the lack of decent breweries in the state because I would never do this in Wisconsin.

Me, neither.....even though we live in easy driving distance of Munster. This has less to do with beer than a "happening." More like a rock concert; you couldn't pay ME $50 a bottle and expenses to attend. Great DL might be, but nothing's that good.

 

[eanmcnulty]

If you saw any people playing a giant Jenga game, you probably saw me as that's where we were set up... that Jenga set was made the night before.

Who has a picture of that Jenga game?

 

[ArtimusBeerimus]

Will post a Jenga photo later after work...

 

[Zeppman]

This was my first year, and I got to say that the crowd is what made it fun. It was a disorganized mess, but everyone I encountered was there to have a good time, were in good spirits, and were very friendly. The beer was fantastic, but the people who attended are what made it an awesome event.

 

[AlphaKing11]

It was my first year. It was easy to get into the pub the night before, I was really surprised. I literally smoked a cig while the wife said "table for two" and they came and got me. So I said screw the pub the dark lord day. We grabbed 3 cases of GBH and 1 ZD the night before. ZD sold out of cases on DLD. Hell's Black was amazing, Mutiny and the Mollusk was solid. The rye'd da lightning was amazing. I had 2011 dark lord in line first thing that morning, first time taste and was kinda like ehh-ok. because it was just so sweet syrupy. maybe with some age and cold winter weather I'll feel differently about the taste. I wanted to clear up the band statement from someone earlier, they never really pushed anyone to leave and keep moving, that was more of a natural progression. If you wanted to watch a band, like me, I watched all of argonauts set. Then I stood in the exit for like 2 hours. I saw the DL bottles get dropped. Great time.

 

[xsists]

Also... did I just miss where you got your free sample for the ticket purchase? I know in years past you would get a pour of dark lord for the ticket.

I didn't think they ever did this. They did 4 free taster pours at the anniversary party..

 

[PintoBean]

It was a great event, and a million times better run than the XV party if you ask me.

 

[ThreeRatBastards]

Last year the night before they cracked a keg of BA Alpha Klaus and it was fantastic. No such luck this year, I was disappointed. I was not too impressed with the guest taps this year as well. Hanahpu and Apple Brandy Zhukov from Cigar City seemed to be the highlight (sadly I missed both).

Also from what I understand they stopped giving the free samples in 2010. They did have DL on tap in the pub for $7 a glass. It was great!

We had six in our group and walked out with 2 winners, BA and de Muerte. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with them. I had the de Muerte last year and it was one of the best beers I've ever had.

All-in-all it was a great time, and I will do it again next year if I get another ticket. We met up with Conpewter and his buddy before the gates opened. We shared some great conversation and some great beers!

 

[xsists]

Last year the night before they cracked a keg of BA Alpha Klaus and it was fantastic. No such luck this year, I was disappointed. I was not too impressed with the guest taps this year as well. Hanahpu and Apple Brandy Zhukov from Cigar City seemed to be the highlight (sadly I missed both).

You must have missed the KBS, CBS and BCBS Cherry as well...

There were other top notch guest taps but the good stuff goes super quick as they are mainly 1/6 barrels. I was able to get the BA Vanilla DL in the pub early before it ran out. They had BA Alpha Klaus on tap in the pub later. Also at the bottle sale tent they were selling BA Alpha Klaus, BA AK Plum and BA AK Cherry.

I hope you went and tried some of their newer beers like Mutiny and the Mollusk and Rye'd Da Lightening. Both were great! Live the Rich Life (rebranded Shark Pants) was great too.

 

[conpewter]

I didn't think they ever did this. They did 4 free taster pours at the anniversary party..

I know they did in 2009 and I think 2010, they punched your "golden ticket" and that meant you'd got your pour of DL from the taps. They had a special table set up near the line