Russian River - Pliny The Younger (2014)

I got in line yesterday around 8am. Got into the brewery at 2:30, wait wasn't too bad since it wasn't raining hard yet. Got my fill of PtY, beatification, 2010 Sanctification, and a few other ones. Met great people in line and once we were inside, the wait was forgotten. PtY was excellent, not the best beer in the world, but tbh, I don't think that exists anyways. Definitely worth a trip once just for the overall experience.

 

Forget it. Entry into the pub is on a line whether you want PTY or just a glass of water. There are stores and bars pouring The Elder and other beers, however - Bottle Barn, the liquor store in Santa Rosa usually has a good bottle stock. Cal-Mart in Calistoga, over in Napa County, usually has a surprisingly ample supply of Elder and several other RR beers in bottles as well.

 

Went in the opening day. Was in line for about 8 hours in the rain. We had MORE than enough PTY on tap. They didn't have any 3x10 oz rules. People were getting 6-7 PTY's all night. The whole experience was fun. I met lots of cool people in line, and even made a friend there. However, was PTY worth it? Frankly, no. It is VERY similar to the Simtra everyone is talking about. The friend I made there agreed to. We both think the Simtra triple IPA is AWESOME and just as good as PTY. My wife also agrees.

If anyone wants to know what PTY tastes like, get the Simtra triple. I actually think it's even better. It's definitely boozier, for sure, without tasting like it. I can't really taste that 11%+ ABV, and neither could I taste the 10% ABV from PTY. Although, I do think PTY 2014 was excessively bitter. The aroma and flavor profile to Simtra was near identical. But, I think PTY was hit with an extra dose of aspirin-like bitterness. That's something a bit more refined in the Simtra, I think.

 

1. When did the allocations run out the first two days?
2. How's the line today?

 

Had this at the SF Beer Week opening gala. It was better last year, more fruity.

 

The only time I'll wait in any line for a beer is if I'm buying bottles at a release to take home. Otherwise, I want to go to bar, order a beer, chat with a friend, and enjoy my time there. It is very possible to do this with PtY, you just have to be in Southern California at the right time of year and have a few bartenders on your twitter feed.

 

About 7

I got in line at 8:30 and got in at 12:30

 

The best thing about PtY week(s) in Southern California is that so many other breweries release equal (and sometimes better) II/IIIPA's at the same time. They know that the appetite is at it's highest. Expect to see fresh beers from Knee Deep, High Water, Noble, Alpine, Stone, Ballast Point, Beachwood, etc. on tap lists all over SoCal. Because once the Pliny's gone, people gots to drink somethin'.

 

I'm so goddamn excited. Approximately 42 hours until my face gets melted.

 

So, as a relatively new local here in SF, what bars should I frequent this week to have a chance of getting a pint of PTY? Toronado, Public House, Magnolia?

 

First time went 2011. Arrived first Tuesday half hour before open. No one else around. Visited book store, used facilities, wandered back still no one. First ones in. After a few days in SFO returned. Showed up in the afternoon walked right in. Returned each year since to witness progressively worse but not bad. Last year we waited about 30 minutes but that goes by quickly meeting new friends and the weather was nice.
This is insane. Glad we decided to stop going.
Zwickelmania is looking like a good alternative this year.

 

Anyone know how it is today?

 

Someone said recently that they are getting near the front at the four hour mark. The two waiting are trying to re-evaluate their sanity.

 

They just got in - 5 hours. As I said before, I'll pass.

 

Wow. I knew at-brewery demand would grow, based on the increase in "craft beer tourism" in the past year alone. But damn. This is why so many bars around SD are keeping their PtY close to the chest.

 

Is there ever not a huge line?

 

Yes, during the Super Bowl...except the release period didn't span the SB this year like in previous years.

 

I'd try at about 8pm. My buddy and I went last night....we refused to battle the 5-8 hour lines. Got in after waiting 5 min and had our first Younger at 9:05 pm. They ran out about 15 min later. It sure seems they're pouring it way later into the evenings this time round.

We flew all the way from Vancouver to try it, so we had a Plan B, which was to head there early this morning. We figured a Monday would be safe? Don't people work? The lines was over 200 strong around the building by 9am. We hit the road and drove to San Fran and had a final pinto of Pliny (the Elder) at the Toronado. Good luck!

 

Wow. the events in Portland sound 10x better than California......crazy.

My first time was 3 years ago and I walked right in to a bar and was served two 10oz wine glassed of week old PtY. That was the exception, as most bars/bottle shops will have lines for "PtY day". But I have never waited more than 20-30 minutes, and last year at APEX I think I had 6 glasses.

 

This