Half Acre: Big Hugs Release

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by Mjmoser, Dec 6, 2012.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. Mjmoser

    Mjmoser Initiate (0) May 6, 2012 Illinois

    Big Hugs will be released Dec 16th this year (Sunday) at 11:00 am. $12 bottle limit 6....

    Love this beer!
     
  2. ravot

    ravot Initiate (0) Mar 20, 2012 Illinois

    sweet. this hit distro last year so fear not lurkers.
     
    cfrances33 likes this.
  3. ppohio

    ppohio Initiate (0) Aug 5, 2011 Minnesota

    What's the scene like for this release? I have been to a couple Half Acre releases and even though the line is just basic out the door and into the place, I have always had a good time meeting folks as I am relatively new to city.

    Also, I can see the reviews for this beer are pretty solid, have folks picked up six in the past and held on to it for a couple years?
     
  4. Mjmoser

    Mjmoser Initiate (0) May 6, 2012 Illinois

    Last year the line started early, but was really unnecessary. There is enough to go around and you coud have gone a couple days after and bought bottles. It was only 4 bottles last year. This year could be interesting with the tasting room and the crazy hype train that is Chicago.
     
    baker2gs and forrestbetts like this.
  5. ravot

    ravot Initiate (0) Mar 20, 2012 Illinois

    you can get there for release time if you enjoy meeting new peeps. other than that. it's only crowded during the release. once it gets in the later afternoon, 2-4, you're good to wait in line inside the merch room for about 4 or 5 minutes maybe.

    moser is right, with the tap room, i'm sure it'll be much busier.
     
  6. MarkIntihar

    MarkIntihar Initiate (0) Mar 17, 2010 Michigan

    I'ma be ISO this beer right here lookin' for some IP trades over the holidays.
     
    MIA4IPA likes this.
  7. trbergman

    trbergman Initiate (0) Nov 17, 2006 England

    Last year was the first that this was an event. I'm planning to line up, but I'd expect it to stick around for the afternoon.

    Half Acre ran this really well last year - should be a great time for everyone.
     
  8. forrestbetts

    forrestbetts Initiate (0) Nov 29, 2007 Illinois

    I pitched my tent tonight and have buckled down for the long haul.
     
  9. dvelcich

    dvelcich Zealot (605) Feb 6, 2008 Illinois

    This guy gets Chicago beer releases.
     
    Gonzoillini and Bay01 like this.
  10. Treebs

    Treebs Initiate (0) Apr 18, 2011 Illinois

    As already said, there isn't a need to get in line early. I was able to get my max allocation last year about 3-4 days after the release.

    It is fun to shoot the shit with local BA's though so I'm not discouraging the line, only the the need to get in line 5 hours early.
     
  11. RunningIPA

    RunningIPA Initiate (0) Dec 5, 2010 Illinois

    Which line is usually faster, cash or card?
     
  12. Wseitz

    Wseitz Initiate (0) Apr 25, 2010 Illinois

    I don't recall any issues from last year's release, though I seem to remember the limit was three. I was heading out of town the next day for the holidays, so I picked up my limit plus a growler.

    As to your second question, I'm pretty sure I have three bottles from 2010, and the three I picked up last year that have been sitting in my closet, but I haven't popped one open to see how they've aged yet. I figured I'd do the last three years together at some point after picking up 2012.
     
  13. ravot

    ravot Initiate (0) Mar 20, 2012 Illinois

    can you explain how it was an event last year? i don't recall. did they have snacks and what not? or what it just an everyday release? they always tweet of what is coming up and most releases are on a friday. i don't recall it being a big deal last year.

    there's only one register and 1 line. i guess if everyone paid with cash it'd be faster. but the line slows a bit too while they are growler filling and doing samples.
     
  14. steebo777

    steebo777 Initiate (0) Jun 30, 2009 Michigan

    In on this fo sho!
     
  15. Mjmoser

    Mjmoser Initiate (0) May 6, 2012 Illinois

    Not true Marco. Cash line was in the back with the bottles and credit was at the register inside.

    Thought it would be pretty obvious which line would move faster....
     
  16. nickMB

    nickMB Savant (1,118) Nov 17, 2009 Illinois
    Trader

    last year there were two lines, one in the brewhouse, one in the normal shop. I cant remember which one was cash/credit, but both moved and both were doing growlers with multiple employees working both. I don't think anyone was in line for more then like 20 minutes. In the brewhouse Dark Matter was selling coffee and possibly small snacks.
     
  17. ravot

    ravot Initiate (0) Mar 20, 2012 Illinois

    i stand corrected. this is news to me. i guess i didn't know since i always went the day after and waited for distribution for another bottle. the only time i went in line was for dub daisy and galactic dub daisy since it's always limited and tends to sell out by the evening. i also went for captain fantasy, a collab with short's.

    thanks for the info.
     
  18. stevegoz

    stevegoz Savant (1,110) May 5, 2008 Illinois
    Trader

    I recall cash moving a little quicker. Gabe came through the line several times offering tiny samples of Big Hugs, and the Dark Matter folk also ponied up some free small pours of coffee. Dark Matter was selling the coffee that was used in Big Hugs in addition to other product.
     
  19. thereal

    thereal Initiate (0) Apr 20, 2010 Illinois

    There was a coffee beef jerky type situation that was pretty outstanding.
     
  20. BeerMePlze

    BeerMePlze Initiate (0) Nov 21, 2009 Illinois

    Bottles and Cans - just south of Half Acre on Lincoln, will be offering 10% storewide to anyone that shows a receipt or bottle from Half Acre on Sunday... just a heads up!
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.