FOBAB 2013

[stxSS07]

Had an unbelievable time in Chicago this weekend hanging out with some awesome people. Sad I didn't get to see everybody I wanted to hang out with but guess that means I need to make another trip back out. As far as the event, would bang again/10. Side Project was the highlight of the event for me. Cory is doing some awesome stuff.

That DIPA you gifted me was FANTASTIC.

 

[user 306237]

So, I could have (re-)introduced myself to all sorts of people but instead I wandered around like a mope until other friends of mine showed up and I didn't have to stand by myself anymore. Because I am awesome like that. Or something.

Anyway, I'm really glad I got to try the Backyard Rye since it was pretty underwhelming and I can safely cross that off my list of beers to buy on Black Friday. The barleywine was as good as lurchingbeast kept saying it was (and I loved the randallized coffee barleywine). Side Project, just to repeat what everyone else has said, definitely lived up to the hype. I was a little sorry to see that Cigar City didn't make it this year but it's not like I can really hold that against FoBAB.

One friend tried some stout aged in red wine barrels (Krispy Kreme? Maybe? Does that make any sense?). Worst beer I have ever tried. Smelled and tasted like ****-soaked mud. No way in hell was that an intended flavor and it never should have been served.

 

[Corbot_3000]

Lesson learned after going to FOBAB for first time - either pay for iMBIBE or go to the later session - a lot of hyped beers kicked very early because people were able to drink them for an hour leading up to 1:00 pm. Missed out on Utopias, BA Abraxas, and Blueberry Flanders.

Can't wait to go again next year.

 

[thewimperoo]

One friend tried some stout aged in red wine barrels (Krispy Kreme? Maybe? Does that make any sense?). Worst beer I have ever tried. Smelled and tasted like ****-soaked mud. No way in hell was that an intended flavor and it never should have been served.

Urban Legend Krispy the Wino was the beer I believe.

This leads to something I was thinking about after the fact. If I was the guild, I'd be hesitant to allow these start up breweries that have yet to prove they can even make good regular beer let alone barrel aged beer spots in the fest. Places like Begyle, Finch's, Lake Effect, Nevin's, Pig Minds, Slap Shot, Spiteful, Tighthead, Triptych etc. It'd be nice if those spots could be used by breweries that have established barrel aged programs. Although I'd guess if there were established breweries that wanted in, they probably would be.

 

[Treebs]

The IMBIBE membership was so key this year. I was in the back room for most of the first hour (after I got a pour BA Abraxas) and there was no one back there. The back room wasn't properly labeled at all and the only reason anyone really knew about it was some people took the stairs and had to walk through that back room to get to the main room. Once everyone found out about it it became a clusterfuck, but it opened up the rest of the room and I really didn't have to wait in any lines whatsoever.

Definitely had a great time meeting lots of new people and I got to try everything I wanted to try. All my complaints from last year were fixed and overall it was run very well.

All I have to say is Dat BCBS Barleywine.

 

[jeblikesbeer]

Urban Legend Krispy the Wino was the beer I believe.

This leads to something I was thinking about after the fact. If I was the guild, I'd be hesitant to allow these start up breweries that have yet to prove they can even make good regular beer let alone barrel aged beer spots in the fest. Places like Begyle, Finch's, Lake Effect, Nevin's, Pig Minds, Slap Shot, Spiteful, Tighthead, Triptych etc. It'd be nice if those spots could be used by breweries that have established barrel aged programs. Although I'd guess if there were established breweries that wanted in, they probably would be.

On the flip side.. I thought all of blacklist brewing kicked ass for a first timer

 

[kawilliams81]

Was bcbs barleywine at the 2nd session? I heard it kicked early, but I was at the goose booth 30 minutes in and didn't see it. Might have just missed it?

 

[CrushedVol]

Was bcbs barleywine at the 2nd session? I heard it kicked early, but I was at the goose booth 30 minutes in and didn't see it. Might have just missed it?

bcbs barleywine through a coffee randal (is what I was told) but kicked while i was in line, replaced with the bcbs though the hot peppers (whatever that was called). It was my second stop, so it couldn't have lasted 20min

 

[user 306237]

Urban Legend Krispy the Wino was the beer I believe.

This leads to something I was thinking about after the fact. If I was the guild, I'd be hesitant to allow these start up breweries that have yet to prove they can even make good regular beer let alone barrel aged beer spots in the fest. Places like Begyle, Finch's, Lake Effect, Nevin's, Pig Minds, Slap Shot, Spiteful, Tighthead, Triptych etc. It'd be nice if those spots could be used by breweries that have established barrel aged programs. Although I'd guess if there were established breweries that wanted in, they probably would be.

I can definitely agree. There seemed to be enough empty table space that they could have accommodated more beer -- on the other hand, having empty space was nice and alleviated some of the over-crowding. Or were they expecting more breweries to enter beer? Again, not seeing Cigar City kind of surprised me but what about The Bruery? If we're talking barrel-aged beer, it's surprising they weren't there (or do they typically avoid festivals like this?). Or is all this part of the growing pains for a (relatively) young festival that's still seen as a midwest thing?

Don't get me wrong -- there was plenty of great beer and this is just Monday morning quarter-backing/nitpicking on my part because I'm at work and it's slow.

kawilliams81 , the BCBS barleywine was, I think, just the regular barleywine run through a randall with Intelligentsia espresso beans. Apparently they were pouring some serrano pepper thing in the PM session.

 

[jeblikesbeer]

kawilliams81 , the BCBS barleywine was, I think, just the regular barleywine run through a randall with Intelligentsia espresso beans. Apparently they were pouring some serrano pepper thing in the PM session.

Yea that was a little spicey for my taste but solid none the less

 

[Treebs]

They had both regular BCBS Barleywine and the randallized version as well.

 

[kawilliams81]

I can definitely agree. There seemed to be enough empty table space that they could have accommodated more beer -- on the other hand, having empty space was nice and alleviated some of the over-crowding. Or were they expecting more breweries to enter beer? Again, not seeing Cigar City kind of surprised me but what about The Bruery? If we're talking barrel-aged beer, it's surprising they weren't there (or do they typically avoid festivals like this?). Or is all this part of the growing pains for a (relatively) young festival that's still seen as a midwest thing?

Don't get me wrong -- there was plenty of great beer and this is just Monday morning quarter-backing/nitpicking on my part because I'm at work and it's slow.

kawilliams81 , the BCBS barleywine was, I think, just the regular barleywine run through a randall with Intelligentsia espresso beans. Apparently they were pouring some serrano pepper thing in the PM session.

Thanks for the barleywine info. But this was the 11th Annual FOBAB, so as far as beer fests go I would say it's pretty old, right?

 

[lb304854]

I can definitely agree. There seemed to be enough empty table space that they could have accommodated more beer -- on the other hand, having empty space was nice and alleviated some of the over-crowding. Or were they expecting more breweries to enter beer? Again, not seeing Cigar City kind of surprised me but what about The Bruery? If we're talking barrel-aged beer, it's surprising they weren't there (or do they typically avoid festivals like this?). Or is all this part of the growing pains for a (relatively) young festival that's still seen as a midwest thing?

Don't get me wrong -- there was plenty of great beer and this is just Monday morning quarter-backing/nitpicking on my part because I'm at work and it's slow.

kawilliams81 , the BCBS barleywine was, I think, just the regular barleywine run through a randall with Intelligentsia espresso beans. Apparently they were pouring some serrano pepper thing in the PM session.

They had BCS on Serrano peppers at first session as well. Damn good too.

 

[user 306237]

Thanks for the barleywine info. But this was the 11th Annual FOBAB, so as far as beer fests go I would say it's pretty old, right?

I guess? Honestly, I don't have much to compare it, too. I'm inclined to suggest that while it's been around for over 10 years now, it's been relatively recently that they took bigger steps to grow and attract more breweries across the country.

 

[kawilliams81]

I guess? Honestly, I don't have much to compare it, too. I'm inclined to suggest that while it's been around for over 10 years now, it's been relatively recently that they took bigger steps to grow and attract more breweries across the country.

Yeah, this is probably true. I hadn't even heard of it until 2011 and you could get tickets weeks (maybe a month +) after they went on sale that year. You could say all beer festivals (except GABF maybe?) are relatively new, since the craft boom has really gone crazy in the last 5 years or so.

 

[thewimperoo]

This was my fifth FOBAB. They've always had a wide variety of breweries from across the country in the years that I've been. It doesn't seem like there are less out of town breweries than in the past. Just a lot more upstart locals. If there is a decline in out of town breweries, I'd guess the reason is that there are more festivals in general. So maybe they save their beer for festivals that are more local to them.

There are still breweries that I'd love to show up here with strong barrel programs, like Alesmith, Russian River, Crooked Stave, etc. But that's just getting greedy.

 

[user 306237]

This was my fifth FOBAB. They've always had a wide variety of breweries from across the country in the years that I've been. It doesn't seem like there are less out of town breweries than in the past. Just a lot more upstart locals. If there is a decline in out of town breweries, I'd guess the reason is that there are more festivals in general. So maybe they save their beer for festivals that are more local to them.

There are still breweries that I'd love to show up here with strong barrel programs, like Alesmith, Russian River, Crooked Stave, etc. But that's just getting greedy.

We are in Chicago -- being greedy is how we roll.

 

[Etan]

Funny post-FoBAB story...instead of taking the bus to the red line I ended up getting in a limo with a bunch of random people and somehow made it to Noble Square by the end of the night. I will say that booze from a limo bar is not the smartest way to end a night at FoBAB, but I don't regret it.

 

[lb304854]

The jerk fries from the jerk chicken food place were awesome. Even if we did have to threaten to tip the truck if they didn't open.

 

[user 306237]

I had long-standing plans for Saturday night with some old friends. I thought I could start with FoBAB and be okay by the time dinner rolled around. I... was incorrect (though an hour on the red line has some curative properties). I don't think these friends will be anxious to make plans with me again.

I'd like to blame/credit FoBAB but I almost had a front-row seat to a furry-themed burlesque show on Saturday night.

 

[jmgrub]

Had an unbelievable time in Chicago this weekend hanging out with some awesome people. Sad I didn't get to see everybody I wanted to hang out with but guess that means I need to make another trip back out. As far as the event, would bang again/10. Side Project was the highlight of the event for me. Cory is doing some awesome stuff.

I wish you would've made it to the Northdown event on Friday night. Cory poured 5 Side Project beers and there were no more than 20 people there for the first hour or so.

 

[Boilerfood]

This leads to something I was thinking about after the fact. If I was the guild, I'd be hesitant to allow these start up breweries that have yet to prove they can even make good regular beer let alone barrel aged beer spots in the fest. Places like Begyle, Finch's, Lake Effect, Nevin's, Pig Minds, Slap Shot, Spiteful, Tighthead, Triptych etc. It'd be nice if those spots could be used by breweries that have established barrel aged programs. Although I'd guess if there were established breweries that wanted in, they probably would be.

Don't forget, this is an event hosted by the Indiana Brewer's Guild. There is a vested interest to showcase everything the state has first.

It's also good to keep in mind that some breweries might look at this event and realize that although WE think its badass if/when CCB/RR send beer, it doesn't help them very much if they don't plan on distributing to the area any time soon.

 

[normyk]

My notes on the day (session one).....

Back room was the place to be until people figured it out. I was backyard, barleywine and blueberry in before noon (though there were pour issues in the corner amiright?).

Had to laugh at the line for backyard on the main floor before things started up. The goose crew in the back room were pouring generous and early with no damn line.

BCBBW very good. On Black Cat? Unreal.

Feel bad for those that missed Utopias as I did NOT need a 4oz pour of that tasty firewater.

Cthulhu? Maddening. Amazing good in evil ways. Ia! Non-Euclidian.

*ring* Hello? Lost Abbey? Phoning it in? Ok.

Pipeworks? More like Pimpworks. Win win win. Ruling hard.

CW Sixteen was some hot stuff.

FW Agrestic was not what I hoped for.

Fireside Chat was really damn fine. I want more.

Smaug's Breath was tasty again.

Fuzzy. Fuzzy. Fuzzy fuzzy fuzz fuzzy fuzz. Did I mention fuzzy? Mmmmm.

I didn't go for Van Muckle again, but Lonesome Dove was solid.

Hated BA Apocalypse Cow. Hate hate hatey hate hate.

And that ain't half what I had. And I left before 4pm.

Love me some Chicago. You people have it good.