Russian River help

I hate to be the boring "don't bother with PTY" guy as that's not what you want to hear probably, but honestly if I were going to be in sf for only two days during sf beer week I really wouldn't bother going to RR. For one, there is much better beer out there (year round for that matter). You will drink better beer with less stress by just staying in sf or the east bay. If you do really want PTY, there are tappings from sf to San Jose throughout the week. I even had some last year in San Jose and I just walked right up to the bar to drink it (OG). Granted many places don't release when they are tapping it.. so right time right place is the option some times.

Anyway, long post. But there is incredible beer in and around that city (Cellarmaker, Altamont, Fieldwork, Temescal, all make IPAs/DIPAs/TIPAs that are as good or better). However! If you do go to Santa Rosa, stop at Cooperage - they are amazing.

 

Not going to disagree, but still. PtY is a good TIPA. It's probably the only one I like.

 

It sort of sounds like getting PtY would be a bonus for him since he mentioned going the next day. If just checking off RR is the goal don't fight the crowds imo.

 

have you tried dragonsaddle or socrates? those are really great TIPA

 

Have not. I don't actually enjoy high alcohol beers all that much (even DIPAs), but I have tried

Alvarado Street Triple Cone
Moonraker Extremis
Boneyard Notorious

... and definitely did not like any of those.

Lagunitas Waldo was my first craft beer obsession, but I thought it was awful this year.

 

Ok I’ll try to answer the question:

If you go on 2/15 and it’s around 12 or basically any time after it’s going to be a long wait to get in. My blind guess would be between 3 and 4 hours. Pty is a great beer and the whole experience is something cool to do once. But if you are with people who are not crazy about beer it is a big ask to wait 4 hours for a beer. You cannot go into the brewery on a younger day without standing in that line. Sometimes on weekday nights the wait is small towards closing, but my best guess is since it’s the last day for it, this won’t be the case.

If you go on 2/16 right at opening you should get a table no problem and you will still find a bunch of great beers to try. By the afternoon, since it’s a Friday there will probably still be a wait.

 

Toronado is the best intersection of selection and price (HH everyday before 6p even weekends). Cash only. You can always find Pliny the Elder there, and when you're visiting, probably PtY too (but runs out within 20 minutes of tapping). This is crazy divey though, which it sounds like you don't like. but because they've been around 30 years, they have the most/best accounts with breweries.

Crafty Fox usually has an amazing taplist, and they have food. And some to-go cans/bottles sometimes. On the pricier side though. (~$8/pint) If you're more into modern ambiance, this is probably more what you're looking for.

City Beer Store also can get some rare stuff, and a lot of SF Beer Week events will be held there. But they have a small taproom with only 10? taps. You should definitely visit though, even if just for their bottles/cans. They will be moving to a larger location shortly after SFBW18 though.

Mikkeller SF is another modern/trendy craft beer bar and restaurant. Half their taps are dedicated to Mikkeller and Mikkeller San Diego brews, but the other half is a mix of guest beers. Also on the pricey side. ($~8/pint)

As far as SF/Bay Area breweries, these are the best of the best.

Cellarmaker - if you don't go, you've wasted a trip
Moonraker - best NE-style haze in California. Hell, I like them more than TreeHouse/Trillium personally.
Sante Adairius Rustic Ales - world famous for their great saisons, sours. But honestly, their hoppy game is severely underrated. I'd pick them over most other breweries known for their IPAs

After that...

Bartlett Hall - tourist trap restaurant, with an unknown but killer brewing program.
Cooperage - I visited once and loved it. It's supposedly where the Russian River folk go to have a drink.
Fieldwork - people love them a lot more than I do. they can do good beer, but I find them really hit/miss.
Alvarado Street - people love them a lot more than I do. I straight up think they can't brew, but BA will tell you otherwise...
The Rare Barrel - the only Bay Area place who only does sours. I find them to be a little too sour and samey, but I do like it when they do collabs... their Cellarmaker ones have all been killer

 

I'll be in town too that week but LA/Anaheim area. Anyone know if PtY makes it that far south and to any bars? Anything else I should be on the lookout for?

 

Yes, multiple locations in LA/OC/San Diego. Best to watch this forum after the new year for specifics. Anaheim you're looking at Haven/Provisions and Hollingshead both in Orange. Both can be sh*tshows with hours long lines.

 

Here's a list of all the places that got Younger this year so good chance these will be the places that get it next year too.

https://thefullpint.com/beer-news/pliny-the-younger-2017/

 

Just to echo what was said above to reiterate this - go to Cellarmaker. If you are in SF and like beer, skipping Cellarmaker would be a massive mistake. There should be no other priority on your list ranked higher than Cellarmaker. I would go to sf solely to drink their beer.. anyway, you get it.

 

Go to Santa Rosa/sonoma/nappa during the 1st day. Hit up some wineries (iron horse for bubbles and a great view) and go to Russian river about 7 or 8. Younger should still be on tap and shouldn't have to deal with much of a wait( less than 30 min) Get younger, elder, blind pig and a bunch of sours while the wife works off the bubbles then back to the city. Perfect day/evening. Bonus if you pack or pick up some cheese and meats for an afternoon snack

 

Just FYI, Moonraker isn't really near the Bay Area; it's up in Auburn east of Sacramento, about 120 miles east of San Francisco. With any luck you'll find some taps of their beers in SF though!