For some, going to Darkness Day weekend is all about being in the moment, and just letting the whole experience wash over you like a river made of imperial stouts. For others, it’s about making sure this guy, who we’ll call Terry, knows where the bottle shop is, when the bands are playing, and if he’s the big spoon or little spoon.

It’s OK, we’re here to help with all that. Outside of the spoon situation, that’s between you and Terry. Here are the answers to your most frequently asked questions about Darkness Day 2019.

TICKETS

Q. Can I still buy a ticket for Darkness Day? Will bottles be available for purchase at Darkness Day?
A. Online ticket sales end Thurs., Sept. 26 at Noon. After this time, you’ll be able to purchase tickets at the box office on the event grounds. The box office will be open at the following times:
• Friday, Sept. 27 – Noon – 9:00 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 28 – 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
A very (VERY) limited number of variant packages will be available for purchase at the gate.

Q. Can I still take the shuttle from the Destination Brewery? Where does the shuttle pick me up?
A. Yes, you can purchase shuttle tickets at any time before getting on the shuttle. You will need to show the shuttle driver your ticket before getting on the bus. Shuttle tickets are $15 plus service fees. They are round trip. Link: https://www.tempotickets.com/darknessday2019

Look for shuttle signs at Surly and in Somerset for shuttle pick-up/drop-off locations. There will be enough shuttles to accommodate everyone that purchased a shuttle ticket. We will not abandon you in Wisconsin. That’s the Surly Promise. The shuttle schedule is as follows:

• Friday:
Departs Surly @ 5:00 p.m.
Departs Somerset @ 9:30 p.m.
• Saturday:
Departs Surly @ 10:30 a.m. and Noon
Departs Somerset @ 3:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

If you plan to take the shuttle out Friday and return on the Saturday shuttle, you can park in the Surly Brewing lot overnight.

Q. Can tickets be reimbursed?
A. No, all tickets are non-refundable. You can transfer your ticket to someone else if you’re unable to use it because the dog got sick, the wedding you thought you could skip turned out to be mandatory, etc.

Q. What if I can’t find my digital ticket?
A. Your digital ticket was sent to you from Tempo Tickets. If you can’t find it, need to change your ticket, or have a question about your ticket, email [email protected].

CAMPING

Q. Can I bring my trailer to the campgrounds?
A. Campers, trailers and RVs are allowed in the GA camping area. Electrical upgrades can be purchased through the ticketing website prior to the event for $30 while space is available. There are only a handful left, so get those now if you absolutely want one. You will not be able to upgrade to an electrical site at the event.

Q. What’s the campfire situation?
A.  You can have bonfires at your campsites. You will need to bring your own wood and protective ring to control the fire. Staff will be selling firewood (and ice) via roving golf cart but there are no guarantees they’ll pass by your camping spot, so it’s best to be on the safe side and bring your own. Be prepared.

Q. Does the event space have re-entry if you go back to your campsite during the event?
A. Yes, you can go in and out of the event space/campgrounds.

Q. Can I rent camping gear for Darkness Day?
A. Yes, we are partnering with Wooded Nomad once again this year to provide camping gear at Darkness Day. To purchase items for the weekend, visit: https://www.woodednomad.com/shop/

Camping gear will be dropped off and picked up by Wooded Nomad at Darkness Day. For pick-up location, please check in at the box office when you arrive.

Q. Can I park/camp next to my friend if we arrive separately?
A. If you want to park/camp next to each other, you either need to arrive at the same time. All campsites are first come, first served. You will not be able to reserve spots. Don’t just leave a blanket on the ground like it’s a parade. All camping spots have a strict one vehicle policy. However, you can have multiple tents on a campsite.

You can access the campgrounds starting at noon on Friday, Sept. 27.

Q. How will we be able to find folks participating in the bottle share at Darkness Day?
A. When you check- in to your campsite, you will receive a yard sign with an open spot to write in whatever bottle information you’d like to share. This sign will also include your campsite number. We encourage you to place this on the edge of your space so your friends and fellow beer enthusiasts can find you.

You can also join the Darkness Day Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/739013716546901/

Q. Where is the bottle share happening?
A. The bottle share will happen in each campsite. Keep an eye out for the signs that indicate campsite numbers if you’re meeting up with folks. The plan is to have the big ass bonfire in the GA campgrounds so it might be a good spot to set up your bottles.

Q. Where can I take a shower at Darkness Day?
A. Showers are available in the electrical upgrade campground. It’s a short walk from the GA campgrounds or you can jump on a shuttle. Warm water is NOT guaranteed. We speak from personal experience.

CAMPGROUNDS

• You can bring bottles to Friday’s bottle share. Arrangements have been made to lift the glass ban. Obviously, be mindful of people that will use the site once you leave.
• You can have grills, smokers, camp stoves, etc. Just take them with you when you pack up and head home.
• You can have your own food and drinks in the campgrounds.

BEER

Q. When can I get my bottles if I purchased a bottle package?
A. If you purchased a bottle package, you will only be able to pick-up your bottles on Saturday, Sept. 28 between 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. at Darkness Day. When you enter the event, you will receive a wristband. This wristband will be removed when you pick up your bottles.

Q. What if I can’t make it to Darkness Day and I purchased a bottle package?
A. You can only pick up your bottles at Darkness Day on Sat., Sept. 28. No, you can’t pick your bottles up at the brewery if you can’t make it. However, you can ask a friend to pick up your bottles for you. They will need your ticket and a valid 21+ ID.

Q. Will I have to purchase drink tickets to buy beer at Darkness Day?
A. Yes, if you’d like to buy a beer, you will need to purchase beer tickets. Beer tickets will be available in the box office and saloon for purchase on Friday and Saturday. Guest breweries will be pouring samples at Friday night’s Dawn of Darkness beer festival; no drink tickets will be needed for the samples. The Saloon Bar will be open if you’d like to get your Darkness fix as well. Guest brewery samples are included in your ticket price if you purchased a weekend ticket package or Friday night ticket package.

Q. Who are the guest breweries at Dawn of Darkness? When will guest beers be available? How much will beer cost?
A. The Dawn of Darkness beer festival will take place on Friday, Sept. 27 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. We currently have 24 breweries from across the country that are otherwise unavailable in Minnesota or western Wisconsin joining us. Guest brewery beers will only be available on Friday night. This will be a traditional beer fest, with each brewery pouring samples. Admission to the beer fest can be purchased through a weekend ticket package or Friday night-only ticket package. All guest beer samples are included in your ticket price. Link to see current beer menu and purchase tickets: https://surlydarknessday.com/dawn-of-darkness/

Guest breweries include:
• Aslin Beer Co. (Herndon, WA)
• Brickstone Brewery (Bourbonnais, IL)
• Burial Beer Co. (Asheville, NC)
• Casa Agria Specialty Ales (Oxnard, CA)
• Casey Brewing and Blending (Glenwood Springs, CO)
• Champion Brewing Co. (Charlottesville, VA)
• Culmination Brewing (Portland, OR)
• Ecliptic Brewing (Portland, OR)
• Great Notion Brewing (Portland, OR)
• Hailstorm brewing Co. (Tinley Park, IL)
• Hops and Grain (Austin, TX)
• Mikerphone Brewing (Elk Grove Village, IL)
• Other Half Brewing (Brooklyn, NY)
• Outer Range Brewing Co. (Frisco, CO)
• Phase Three Brewing (Chicago, IL)
• Southern Grist (Nashville, TN)
• Sun King Brewery (Indianapolis, IN)
• Superstition Meadery (Prescott, AZ)
• Taxman Brewing Co. (Bargersville, IN)
• The Rare Barrel (Berkeley, CA)
• Three Weavers Brewing (Inglewood, CA)
• Wiley Roots (Greeley, CO)
• Wren House Brewing Co. (Phoenix, AZ)

Q. What are the variants for this year?
A. We have three new 2019 Darkness variants. They are:

• Mole Darkness: Bourbon Barrel-aged Russian Imperial Stout brewed with vanilla beans, chocolate, cinnamon and chilis
• Double Stuffed Darkness: Rum Barrel-aged Russian Imperial Stout with vanilla bean and cacao added
• Old Fashioned Darkness: Rye Barrel-aged Russian Imperial Stout with Moroccan sweet orange peel added

Variant bottles are only available through the weekend ticket package with bottles. Variant bottles will NOT be sold a la carte at the event or after the event.

Q. Will Darkness bottles be available for purchase at Darkness Day?
A. YES! You will be able to purchase as many 2019 Darkness bottles on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. as you would like. All Darkness bottles will be first come, first served and there will be a limited quantity. Variant bottles will not be individually sold; you can only get variants by purchasing a weekend pass with bottles ticket package before the event or at the box office (if any are left). Darkness bottles will only be for sale on Saturday. There will be no Darkness bottles available for purchase on Friday during the Dawn of Darkness beer fest.

In addition to Darkness, exclusive, rare and vintage Surly beers will be available for purchase on both Friday and Saturday. Exclusive beers include:

• At the End of the Internet: A Double Dry-Hopped IPA brewed with El Dorado, Simcoe and Citra hops. 10% ABV
• Campground Beer: A straight-up, easy-drinking pilsner. 5.2% ABV
• None More Black: An imperial kettle sour brewed with black currants and blackberries. 9/4% ABV.

Q. When will Darkness be available in market?
A. 2019 Darkness will be released in all Surly markets around Halloween.

Q. Who is this year’s Darkness artist?
A. This year’s artist is Tim Chapman. He created the six-legged interdimensional undefinable creature you’ll see on 2019 Darkness, 2019 Darkness variants and 2020 BA Darkness. You can see more of his work on Instagram @setadriftart

Q. Can you drink your Darkness bottle inside the event?
A. No, you can’t open your Darkness bottle in the event grounds. You can drink them at your campsite. 2019 Darkness and Variants will be available throughout the weekend in the Saloon and at timed tappings on Saturday.

MUSIC

Q. What are the set times for the bands?
A. 

Friday, Sept. 27
• 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. DJ Lori Barbero from Babes in Toyland

Saturday, Sept. 28
• 11:30 AM – God Came From Space
• 12:45 PM – The Rope
• 2:00 PM – The Blind Shake
• 3:15 PM – The Black Lips
• 4:30 PM – Eyehategod

FOOD TRUCKS

Friday: Dawn of Darkness Beer Festival, 6-9pm

• Surly
• Heavy Metal Grill
• My Burger
• Gastrotruck
• Peace Coffee

Late Night Friday: Campground Trucks, 10pm-midnight

• Surly–Electrical Campground
• Heavy Metal Grill–GA Campground

Early Morning Saturday: Breakfast Campground Trucks, 7am-10am

• Surly–Electrical Campground
• Chicks on Wheels–Electrical Campground
• Potters Pasties–GA Campground
• K Town Street Food–GA Campground
• Peace Coffee–GA Campground

Saturday: Darkness Day, 11am-6pm

• Surly
• Chicks on Wheels
• Potters Pasties
• K Town Street Food
• Brew Pub Pizza
• Sandy’s Grill
• Reverie
• Peace Coffee

EVERYTHING ELSE

Q. Can I bring my backpack into the event? Can I bring a stroller into the event? Can I bring a chair into the event?
A. Yes, backpacks are allowed inside the event area. Yes, strollers are allowed inside the event space. Chairs of any sort are not allowed inside the event area. The grounds are ADA accessible and different seating options are available.

Q. Are kids allowed?
A. Yes, children, pre-teens, and young adults are welcome to join for the weekend. Anyone under 18 is free and must always be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Q. Are dogs/cats/snakes/pets allowed?
A. No pets (dogs, cats, or anything else) are allowed at Darkness Day – the event or the camping area. Service animals are allowed in all event spaces and campsites.

Q. Can you bring outside food and drink into the event grounds?
A. No, outside food and drink is not permitted in the event grounds. Leave your snacks and drinks in the campground area or at home. You can bring an empty water bottle/container and fill it up at water stations throughout the event space.

Q. Is there a place for lactating mothers?
A. If you’re looking for a spot during the event, please check in at the box office. If you’re camping, your best bet for privacy will be in your camping space.