Lured by the promise of warmer weather and a shared love of all three elements of the event, a group of us decided to check it out. It was an interesting experience, to say the least.
The festival opened at 2:00 pm for everyone that bought the regular $35 ticket. (Those that bought the $85 VIP ticket got in at noon.) Right off the bat, it was a disaster. Thousands of people descended upon the entrance just before 2:00, and two massive ad hoc lines formed. With no signage or employee guidance, we waited in the wrong line for 10 minutes before realizing there was a separate line for those who had purchased tickets in advance. Buying our tickets in advance turned out to be a mistake. All tickets purchased in advance were at will call, and the gate attendants had to look each person up by name. Thirty minutes later, we were in, armed with our complimentary glasses and scarves. The glass had two lines: a 1 oz. line for whiskey and a taller (maybe 4 oz.?) line for beer.
The festival opened at 2:00 pm for everyone that bought the regular $35 ticket. (Those that bought the $85 VIP ticket got in at noon.) Right off the bat, it was a disaster. Thousands of people descended upon the entrance just before 2:00, and two massive ad hoc lines formed. With no signage or employee guidance, we waited in the wrong line for 10 minutes before realizing there was a separate line for those who had purchased tickets in advance. Buying our tickets in advance turned out to be a mistake. All tickets purchased in advance were at will call, and the gate attendants had to look each person up by name. Thirty minutes later, we were in, armed with our complimentary glasses and scarves. The glass had two lines: a 1 oz. line for whiskey and a taller (maybe 4 oz.?) line for beer.
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| The sampling glasses |
After filling up on BBQ, we were ready for the other two-thirds of the festival experience. Despite all of the room at the special event space at Atlantic Station, the beer and bourbon were being doled out at tables jammed into a tent roughly the size of a basketball court. There was another similar sized tent for VIP ticket holders. The remainder of the day was spent in the following manner: (1) identify beer or bourbon to sample; (2) elbow your way through hoards of people in front of you, many of whom are trying to chat up the distillery/brewery reps about how their product was simply their fraternity's favorite drink; (3) get sample of whiskey or beer; (4) repeat.
At the Heaven Hill tent, while waiting for a sample of Elijah Craig 12 year, the gentleman in front of me was giving his buddy a persuasive evaluation of the superiority of Evan Williams Cinnamon to his previous favorite, Fireball. During this exegesis, the pair remained at the front of the line until they received at least 4 refills of the flavored whiskey.
Despite the challenges with the crowds, there was some good beer and bourbon to be had. I went back several times to the High West table, which had the delicious Rendezvous Rye (blend of 6 and 16 year MGP/LDI sourced rye) and Campfire (blend of bourbon, rye, and peated scotch of unknown origin). That table became less interesting after someone vomited in front of it.
Other notable whiskies were Noah's Mill (Willett), Blanton's (Buffalo Trace), Eagle Rare (Buffalo Trace), Evan Williams Single Barrel (Heaven Hill), and Elijah Craig 12 year (Heaven Hill). Unfortunately, Four Roses, which was offering both the Small Batch and Single Barrel, ran out of whiskey before I got to their table. I cannot recommend enough that nobody try the Jesse James American Outlaw Bourbon, which had strong notes of paint thinner. Perhaps it was aged in an oil drum at Jesse's shop.
My favorite beer was the Ballast Point Sculpin IPA, which has recently hit the shelves in Atlanta. I'm also a fan of the local Monday Night Brewing Drafty Kilt Scotch Ale. Other great breweries, such as Allagash and Green Flash, were also there.
I would be remiss if I did not mention the major upset in the beer belly competition that took place in the entertainment tent. The reigning champion was dethroned by a truly massive man from Oklahoma. There was an audible gasp from the 75-100 people that were willing to take a break from the booze when the champion's belly was measured at well over four feet.
The Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival was as cramped and crowded as the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival but without the payoff of exceptional food and drink. The people watching, however, was unrivaled, and I kind of knew what I was in for. There are worse ways to spend a Saturday, I suppose.
Other notable whiskies were Noah's Mill (Willett), Blanton's (Buffalo Trace), Eagle Rare (Buffalo Trace), Evan Williams Single Barrel (Heaven Hill), and Elijah Craig 12 year (Heaven Hill). Unfortunately, Four Roses, which was offering both the Small Batch and Single Barrel, ran out of whiskey before I got to their table. I cannot recommend enough that nobody try the Jesse James American Outlaw Bourbon, which had strong notes of paint thinner. Perhaps it was aged in an oil drum at Jesse's shop.
My favorite beer was the Ballast Point Sculpin IPA, which has recently hit the shelves in Atlanta. I'm also a fan of the local Monday Night Brewing Drafty Kilt Scotch Ale. Other great breweries, such as Allagash and Green Flash, were also there.
I would be remiss if I did not mention the major upset in the beer belly competition that took place in the entertainment tent. The reigning champion was dethroned by a truly massive man from Oklahoma. There was an audible gasp from the 75-100 people that were willing to take a break from the booze when the champion's belly was measured at well over four feet.
The Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival was as cramped and crowded as the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival but without the payoff of exceptional food and drink. The people watching, however, was unrivaled, and I kind of knew what I was in for. There are worse ways to spend a Saturday, I suppose.
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