The Bar Towel

Anyone else heading to dld this year? My friends and I got group a tickets this year so we are back on it this year. I can't wait for the bottle shares in line, I've been saving some good stuff to hopefully share with the uninitiated like I was last year. I just hope it runs as smooth as last year, with minimal waiting except for the guest taps.

It looks like my plan might be the same as last year, stay in Chicago and take the lansman bus in that I booked through BA.

We'll be making it out again this year, snagged a pair of group A so I imagine my afternoon nap will come even earlier this year. It was a riot last year, and everyone really thought the BNL Choc Stout I brought was amazing, which gave me some pride as the beers being poured alongside it were heavyweights. We parked nearby and will likely do the same this year.

Got tickets this year for the first time ever after trying for years, got a hotel that's about 10 minutes away from the brewery booked as well.

Not sure what I should do about bottle sharing though. I don't have anything worthwhile to share.

Ale's What Cures Ya wrote:Got tickets this year for the first time ever after trying for years, got a hotel that's about 10 minutes away from the brewery booked as well.

Not sure what I should do about bottle sharing though. I don't have anything worthwhile to share.

Honestly, most of the stuff that is shared is just nice local stuff. Grab some Bellwoods, nicklebrook immodest or malevolent, or some Great Lakes robohop/karma citra and people will be stoked.

My earlier comment was just regarding how pumped I was getting to try stuff like Black Tuesday, BA speedway, and tired hands stuff just from people walking around offering pours and wanting to pass that on to people around me this year. Last year all I had was malevolent, immodest and some 5 paddles and people that I shared it with seemed legitimately impressed with the stuff. It's generally a low key vibe of people excited about beer and excited to try new stuff, not tick whales.

ckoop wrote:
Honestly, most of the stuff that is shared is just nice local stuff. Grab some Bellwoods, nicklebrook immodest or malevolent, or some Great Lakes robohop/karma citra and people will be stoked.

My earlier comment was just regarding how pumped I was getting to try stuff like Black Tuesday, BA speedway, and tired hands stuff just from people walking around offering pours and wanting to pass that on to people around me this year. Last year all I had was malevolent, immodest and some 5 paddles and people that I shared it with seemed legitimately impressed with the stuff. It's generally a low key vibe of people excited about beer and excited to try new stuff, not tick whales.

I might have some aged stuff in the cellar. A 2006 Fuller's Vintage Ale, maybe a few 2008 or 2009 Peche Mortels.

I just don't want to show up with a handful of half-rate Ontario beer and be embarrassed when some guy pours some Heady Topper or something lol.

Ale's What Cures Ya wrote:

ckoop wrote: Honestly, most of the stuff that is shared is just nice local stuff. Grab some Bellwoods, nicklebrook immodest or malevolent, or some Great Lakes robohop/karma citra and people will be stoked.

I just don't want to show up with a handful of half-rate Ontario beer and be embarrassed when some guy pours some Heady Topper or something lol.

Yah, God forbid you be embarrassed about bringing Ontario beer, the very best of which is half rate at best. I wouldn't listen to ckoop's comment. What does he know? He's only been there before. Maybe you shouldn't go.

S. St. Jeb wrote: Yah, God forbid you be embarrassed about bringing Ontario beer, the very best of which is half rate at best. I wouldn't listen to ckoop's comment. What does he know? He's only been there before. Maybe you shouldn't go.

The very best of Ontario beer, I admit, is no longer "half rate". However it still pales in comparison to what's going to be available at Dark Lord Day. Not to mention I'd have to drive to Toronto to get the very best of what the province has to offer, and driving to Toronto just to get beer isn't even remotely appealing.

You'd be surprised at what people are willing to try at these events - ie Anything that is not available to them.

I'd stop by Bellwoods and bring a couple bottles, maybe some Great Lakes project X or fresh IPA. Harry Porter and BNL are actually quite popular at these things as well.

Any plans to head north into Chicago while you're down there? Might be a good opportunity to check out some of their better bottle shops if you're making a weekend out of it.

Anyone else get their tickets? We chose to have them shipped to my us box since my brother was saying the shipping to canada was outrageous when he was competing the purchase. Was that true or can he not read? I know last year I had them shipped to canada reasonably, so I was surprised he said they were different this year. Oh well, tickets secured and in hand!

Will also be going again this year.
Group B. Hampton Inn booked as well for Friday and Saturday.

I will also be there. Group C. Staying in Chicago

sprague11 wrote:You'd be surprised at what people are willing to try at these events - ie Anything that is not available to them.

I'd stop by Bellwoods and bring a couple bottles, maybe some Great Lakes project X or fresh IPA. Harry Porter and BNL are actually quite popular at these things as well.

Any plans to head north into Chicago while you're down there? Might be a good opportunity to check out some of their better bottle shops if you're making a weekend out of it.

We are making a weekend out of the trip, heading down Friday and coming back Monday.

Not sure if we'll head into Chicago proper though. Been trying to scope the area around Three Floyds for good bottle shops.

Need to find a good shop because obviously I want to come back with some cases of good beer, but I'm also hoping to find some Corsair hopped whiskey. So far no luck in the area though.

We're also planning on stopping at Bell's and Dark Horse on the way down, and then New Holland and Founders on the way back.

ckoop wrote:Anyone else get their tickets? We chose to have them shipped to my us box since my brother was saying the shipping to canada was outrageous when he was competing the purchase. Was that true or can he not read? I know last year I had them shipped to canada reasonably, so I was surprised he said they were different this year. Oh well, tickets secured and in hand!

No tickets yet. I don't recall shipping being "outrageous".

We selected the ~$9 shipping option, and it allowed checkout. "International" was about $50, which I chose to hope meant overseas. Haven't got tickets yet but I'm not too worried as worst case they'll do will call or something.

Bull_Schott wrote:We selected the ~$9 shipping option, and it allowed checkout. "International" was about $50, which I chose to hope meant overseas. Haven't got tickets yet but I'm not too worried as worst case they'll do will call or something.

Yeah that's what he saw, which is why we went with my us box. Hopefully the $9 option works out for you guys.

Ale's What Cures Ya wrote:

sprague11 wrote:You'd be surprised at what people are willing to try at these events - ie Anything that is not available to them.

I'd stop by Bellwoods and bring a couple bottles, maybe some Great Lakes project X or fresh IPA. Harry Porter and BNL are actually quite popular at these things as well.

Any plans to head north into Chicago while you're down there? Might be a good opportunity to check out some of their better bottle shops if you're making a weekend out of it.

We are making a weekend out of the trip, heading down Friday and coming back Monday.

Not sure if we'll head into Chicago proper though. Been trying to scope the area around Three Floyds for good bottle shops.

Need to find a good shop because obviously I want to come back with some cases of good beer, but I'm also hoping to find some Corsair hopped whiskey. So far no luck in the area though.

We're also planning on stopping at Bell's and Dark Horse on the way down, and then New Holland and Founders on the way back.

ckoop wrote:Anyone else get their tickets? We chose to have them shipped to my us box since my brother was saying the shipping to canada was outrageous when he was competing the purchase. Was that true or can he not read? I know last year I had them shipped to canada reasonably, so I was surprised he said they were different this year. Oh well, tickets secured and in hand!

No tickets yet. I don't recall shipping being "outrageous".

Nice beer trip! Flying down, so I'm missing some of the beer touring.