Although I've enjoyed plenty of Dark Lord from friends/trades/etc., this will be the first year that I will experience the chaos that is 'Dark Lord Day' (DLD). For those wondering what the hell I'm talking about , DLD is marked on most beer geeks calendars, similar to Christmas or Thanksgiving and according to 3 Floyd's... 'is the only day of the year to buy 3 Floyds Dark Lord Russian Imperial stout. DLD is a festival where participants can meet other beer enthusiasts, sample beers from all over the world, buy Dark Lord, try Oak Aged Dark Lord Russian Imperial Stout, eat BBQ, listen to live music, and generally have a great time'. But like any sporting event or concert, you must first get golden tickets (a.k.a. Willy Wonka-style) to participate. In previous years, DLD was open to anyone and having tickets only meant that you could purchase a specific amount of Dark Lord. This year however, 3 Floyd's decided to make the event more organized and is now requiring that anyone let into the event, has to have a ticket in hand. Luckily I was able to nab 2 tickets for Matt and I, whereas many others were not so lucky (i.e., tickets sold out in 4 minutes). |
Setting up Trades
Besides sharing some great beers with other beer geeks, I'm was also hoping to set up some trades for beers I don't see on shelves in MO. In preparation, I stockpiled a handful of selections that should help land some good beers, plus I like the idea of sharing these locally available beers with others that can not get them in their own markets. A few selections will included Founders Kentucky Bourbon Stout (KBS), a handful of Boulevard's Imperial Smokestacks, as well as some beers from Odell. |
Friday night - Chicago
After a quick (and successful) stop at Binny's on the South Loop, Matt and I checked into our hotel and then headed to Revolution Brewing for dinner and more beers (shocking). The place was packed, and that was probably because: 1) they are known for making great beer/food; and 2) they were tapping their Bourbon Barrel Russian Imperial Stout (Sodom). Sodom is a collaboration with 3 Floyds and this just so happened to be the only time this Barrel Aged version has been made available. Sodom was F'ing FANTASTIC, probably the BEST beer I drank all weekend and that is saying a lot since I tried 4 different versions of Dark Lord. Loads of anise, roasted malt, bourbon and then chocolate on the back end...I can taste it as I type this, yum. This beer was ON draft only (i.e., no growlers)...but somehow we ran into a gentlemen the next day at DLD who had a growler (he knew the brewer), so I was lucky enough to get a second taste of BA Sodom...again, F'ing unreal! |
While we sipped on Sodom and waited for our table, we munched on this (bacon fat, sage, popcorn, delish)...
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Vertical of 3Floyds Behemoth Blonde Barleywine ’09-11
3Floyds Dark Lord (x 3) 3Floyds Dreadnaught Flossmoor Station Hi-Fi Rye 50/50 Eclipse Imperial Stout (Heaven Hill & Four Roses) Cascade Vlad the Impaler Hair of the Dog Matt Central Waters Bourbon Barrel Barleywine (x 3) Eastend Brewing Gratitude ’10 (x 2) Goose Island Bourbon County Vanilla Stout Cigar City Hunapuh’s ‘11 Ithaca Brewing LeBleu Big Sky Ivan the Terrible ‘11 Jester King Black Metal Imperial Stout |
Kuhnhenn 4th Dementia (x2)
Kuhnhenn Bourbon Barrel 4th Dementia Kuhnhenn Bourbon Barrel Barleywine Shorts Mystery Stout Upland Brewing Teddy Bear Kisses Ale Asylum Elector Imperial Red Half Acre Daisy Cutter Sun King Growler Midnight Sun Arctic Devil Barleywine Shoreline Bourbon Barrel Imperial Stout - Lost Sailor Darkhorse Plead the Fifth (x2) Darkhorse Double Crooked Tree (x2) As well as a few other miscellaneous selections... |