Russian River Row 2 Hill 56 Ale

I had the (way unexpected) pleasure of trying this at O'Brien's Pub in Kearny Mesa (North San Diego) on the night they were tapping the last cask of Toronado's 25th (aka Alpine Double Nelson). I was fairly lit, with a long drive to OC ahead of me, so I didn't even finish it. But I thought it was delish.
If you get a chance, drop some coin...

 

This stuff is fucking good

 

I was not the biggest fan of this beer. I have had 3 so far, just b/c I bought them all at the same time. I just doesnt have enough flavor for me. I prefer hoppier APA like Zombie Dust or Daisy Cutter.

 

Did you drink it recently out of a bottle? Because those bottles are stupid old by now.

 

When I had Row 2 both out of a growler and on tap, it was very hoppy, just like Zombie Dust. I actually have arguments with myself about which of the two is a better beer. At least I win every time.

 

Yea, just saw some bottles for sale around here - still got the same old (old, old) 6/26/2012 date on em. Yeesh.

 

Maybe I'm crazy, but ZD has never been that impressive to me. Every time I've had it I'd rather have weeks-old Row 2, or even 1500. I'm wondering if I'm just never getting it fresh or what (and I have no way to tell), but it has no Citra odor or taste.

 

Probably a problem with your supplier or just personal preference. The only 6pk of ZD I've had a problem with is the one that somehow got lost in my dad's garage for an unknown amount of time. I just blended it with fresh Columbus IPA and went on with my evening.

 

Could be. Could also be that hoppy beers just don't ship unless they're canned (I've pretty much given up on trading for hoppy beers, they're almost universally a letdown). Whatever it is, I'm just glad I can get kegs of 1500 whenever the hell I want, good luck doing that with ZD!

 

I drank one a couple weeks after it was out. Whenever they first landed in Orange County. Early to Mid July at the latest.

 

ZD out of a bottle is just as good as on tap IMO. Maybe Row 2 on tap was better, wasnt the biggest fan of it w/ the bottles i got. They were from 3 different stores too. Since it was 1 bottle limit when it hit.

 

I didn't realize this was such a limited release. I got 2 bottles of this and Pliny sent to me in Michigan and i'll tell you what... It's a wonderful beer and a perfect segue to a bottle of Pliny. Thanks bignuke61!

 

R2H56 was good, but it cannot hold up to Pliny or ZD, and my bottles came from RR.

 

It's a pale ale.

 

Yeah I Agree!

So is ZD. We've been talking about the difference for awhile now. LOL

 

I think it got hyped up to be "limited" then after awhile you could find it everywhere. At first just a few cases here and there. That is So Cal for you.

 

O RLY?