Pliny the Younger - Philly?

I'd call before going. I was in Philly this past weekend and used Philly tap finder to try to get blind pig and it said monks and another place had it. Went to both and both didn't have it. Wasn't the first time that happened to me.

 

Coming in April, there won't any PtY. Monks may have PtE, but impossible to say. Monks is often packed though, may not be a place you want spend a lot of time. For low key old school bar, you're in luck. Two blocks north of Broad & Vine is Prohibition Taproom. Also, Alla Spina is a little further up Broad St, also would meet your requirements. If you want REAL old-school, go to McGlinchey's (15th & Locust-ish).

 

You have to look at the last updated date on PTF. If it's a harder to find beer like PtE, call the bar before heading over if the list is a day old. I always call regardless, unless I'm ready to be drinking whatever else a given place may have. I saw a PTF post on FB for DDG (yes, Duck Duck Gooze) at Monk's. Called them just to make sure and they said unlikely to kick in the next 1/2 hour. Got there 20 minutes later and was 5 minutes late for the last pour. Couldn't be any more disappointed, but at least I had a chance with PTF to a least know roughly when and where.

 

PTF for the Younger hasn't updated in over a month. In previous years does this update at the last minute? Monk's is still tentative for the 3rd at this point.

 

I generally get info and post on the blog several days in advance of the tappings. You're right that the kegs go very quickly. If you want PtY, with few exceptions, you're going to have to jump through some hoops (get up early, stand in a line, buy a ticket, etc.). Good luck PtY hunters. Hope that my info gives you some leads.

 

PhillyTapFinder is the best! When can we expect the next bottleshare?

 

Not sure. I have some ideas, but I haven't set anything up yet. Let's shoot for Spring.

 

To expand on this, the places that do silent tappings will usually let their regulars quietly know when it is being tapped. The amount of "regulars" varies from place to place. I've gone to PTY tappings and arrived within 5 minutes of the announcement and there are already 50 people there. No complaints, as I've also been on the other side. Having said all that, this beer is purely about the hype. Great beer to be sure, but no better than some other well knowns.

 

Now that Monk's has set the date for their event on 3/10, how early do you need to be on line that day? I'm considering driving to Philly that morning. By 9am does it already look like the line outside an Apple store for the latest I-Phone? And to those who have gone to this in previous years is it possible to hang out afterwards? I know Monk's is a crowded shoebox on a normal day.

 

Younger is reported to be delivered to Philly Friday...deliveries are reported to begin early next week...

 

I was there about 5 years ago and got in line about 1 - 2 hours ahead of time. Missed a spot at the bar, but got a table I shared with some others. Got PTY and then drank PTE and the RR sours for another 3 hours. The system has changed since then though, so I dont know if this info is still valid. I think they get a half of PTY.

 

Since this is a fundraiser, more often as of late, Tom Peters has had some beers available for takeout. In my experience they have been cash only with inflated prices. I've always been happy to pay these prices. Once again, these sales were all going to the charity (to-go bottles of Firestone PNC Buckwheat stout and Framboise for a Cure). Tom is great about announcing these things ahead of time. So, keep an eye on the site/Join the mailing list. They always have great beers on draft in addition to the show stoppers. Typically, cash only for special beers, a little more expensive, but all money goes to the charity of the day. In this case, the charity is Alex's Lemonade Stand.

- Joe

 

This sounds like the new norm as people never lined up outside of Shangys for Hopslam before either. Hard to find beers are becoming a nightmare anymore.

 

Definitely the new norm - this is serious business for some people.

 

Monks all day long, only place you need to know