LINCOLN PARK — Brett Porter, the brewmaster responsible for nearly 900 people lining up for Goose Island's Bourbon County Day, wants you to know that there's really nothing weird about people waiting in line for 17 hours to buy beer.
"It's not a cult. To call it a cult would be cheapening it," Porter said just minutes before the digital clock on a Goose Island Barrel struck 9 a.m. Friday, signifying the crowd would finally begin entering the Lincoln Park Binny's Beverage Depot for a shot at securing some of the brew.
The line stretched nearly three blocks, spanning the strip mall and heading down Marcey Street before hooking a left at at Wisconsin Street. From the back of the line Binny's was not visible.
"It's the most wonderful feeling. It warms my heart to see all the people in line for this," Porter said.
Porter's heart may have been warmed but Jerome Dennison, the first customer in line at Lincoln Park's Binny's Beverage Depot for the exclusive release of Goose Island's bourbon-barrel aged brew, was nearly frozen.
The 40-year-old man traveled nearly 125 miles from Grand Rapids, Mich. to arrive at Binny's, 1720 N. Marcey St., at 4 p.m. Thanksgiving Day. And the night was far from easy for him, he said.
"My air mattress had a hole in it and deflated so it felt like I was sleeping on the concrete. I had the blankets over my face just to keep warm," Dennison said admitting the bourbon-barrel aged brew was definitely worth it.
Dennison's overnight survival was a community effort, he said, pointing to the new friends he met in line who brought kerosene heaters and fire pits to stay warm.
"I put up my tent and made some great friends. Everyone's just been kind of talking and hanging out for 17 hours for this moment," Dennison said just six minutes before entering the store Friday morning.
Porter said this year's batch doesn't have the "alcohol burn" and its flavor "really excites people with its perfect balance," but the craft beer aficionados in line readily admitted it's not just about the beer.
"It's just cool to be with people who love beer. I've waited in line for different beers but not this long. It's a good community of awesome people," said Richard Emperado, of Jefferson Park.
The 31-year-old took some melatonin Thursday to induce a snooze so he'd be well rested to arrive around 4:30 a.m. Friday. His strategy still left him at the edge of the strip mall parking lot when the doors opened.
The long lines forced Binny's to put limitations on the exclusive release but that didn't bother Emperado, he said.
"There's a lot of out-of-staters. I see Wisconsin, Texas ..." he said, pointing to the diverse collection of license plates on cars lining the streets near the crowd.
"I rather let everyone get to try them rather than keep it all for myself," he said, admitting he'd probably use some of his stash as "trade bait" on Reddit for other exclusive brews.
Though he expected a smaller line and warmer weather, Emperado was still eager to do it all again next year — with a couple changes.
"I'm definitely dressing warmer. And I see a people with grills and heaters — that could be helpful. Oh, and get here earlier," Emperado said.
For those who were unwilling to wait hours on Black Friday for the beer, head to Bottles & Cans, 4109 N. Lincoln Ave. on Sunday for a chance to score some.
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