Bourbon & Beyond: Music, Bourbon, and VIP—Was It Worth It?
Dan and Steph recap their Bourbon & Beyond weekend, sharing festival highlights, bourbon tastings, artist discoveries, and an honest comparison of the event’s VIP options. They also offer practical tips for anyone planning a future festival trip.
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What we cover
* Preparing for the festival by previewing unfamiliar artists
* How the Derek Trucks interview and media passes came together
* Comparing general admission, Mint VIP, and Angels Envy Beyond VIP
* VIP perks—including food, drinks, lockers, restrooms, and stage access—and where expectations fell short
* A memorable bottle share featuring rare and distinctive pours at Monk's Road Boiler House
* Meeting bourbon personalities and fellow enthusiasts: JD Fritzges, Derek Trucks, Brewzle, Fred Minnick, Preston Van Winkle...
* Standout music moments, from Hootie and the Blowfish to Chris Stapleton and Dave Matthews Band
* Festival food, walking, weather, and crowd experience
* Whether the weekend—and VIP—was worth it
Festival tips
Wear comfortable shoes, bring ear protection, and consider getting a locker. Expect plenty of walking and changing temperatures. Before choosing a VIP tier, weigh the amenities against the access you’ll actually use.
Timestamps
00:00 Festival intro
03:19 Previewing bands on the drive down
04:47 The Derek Trucks interview
06:23 Media passes and VIP wristbands
07:51 VIP food, drinks, and amenities
10:42 Mint VIP crowding
15:54 Thursday’s headliners
17:10 The Monks Road Boiler House bottle share
22:21 Mumford & Sons
23:21 Red Clay Strays and ear protection
27:46 Meeting Fred Minnick
31:00 Hootie and the Blowfish
32:21 Dave Matthews Band
34:49 Standout discovery acts
36:46 Bottle share pours
43:15 Bourbon programming and festival encounters
49:25 Festival food
51:22 Comfort, walking, and weather
53:33 Final festival ratings
60:33 Listener callout and giveaway tease
65:45 Closing thoughts
Memorable moments
“Bourbon’s not about the bourbon. Bourbon’s about meeting people and drinking bourbon with other people.”
“Hootie and the Blowfish were the surprise of the whole festival for me.”
Bourbon, Brass & Beyond- https://www.bourbonbrassandbeyond.com
Bourbon & Beyond - https://www.bourbonandbeyond.com
Monk's Road Bourbon - https://www.logstilldistillery.com
Ass Pocket Whiskey - https://asspocketwhiskey.com