PtY Queue Information

Wow. Impressive.

I don't know what time the line starts but since you want to get in on the first weekend I am sure it is early. I've heard for the very first tapping, they just go the night before enjoy their evening there and then start the line for the next morning after the pub closes. Don't know if its true.

Since you are traveling so far, why not try to get tickets for the opening gala. They will have some there for sure and you can enjoy all the other highlights of the event. Then try to get back into the the Russian River one more time before you leave.

But maybe the locals there who have more experience can give some pointers. Here in San Diego, I just buy tickets for the Pliny events ahead of time. Last event, I got a free pour from the last of the keg!

 

Be prepared for Americans not getting the queue correct.

 

That's because we don't call it a queue... damn Queen's English.

 

The correct word is "shitshow."

 

I guess if you want the experience then go to RR. Or you can get to the Gala early, or go to the DIPA fest in hayward. Both had PtY and the waits werent bad.

 

I've been for the past 5 years, and it's gotten progressively worse every year. I always go on the first Friday. Last year I arrived at 8am and was in line for about 7.5 hours before we got in. This was in the rain. Rain did not deter anyone as I had anticipated.

This year my plan is to get in line between 5 and 6am. My goal is to be in the first wave, and if not then get in shortly after they open at 11.

I'm hoping this is the balancing point, but who knows.

 

I was there for the opening day of Younger this year. My party and I got in line at around 4am, which put us behind roughly 30-40 people.
I couldn't tell you what time the last person who made it into the initial 200 or so got in line, but I can tell you I had an amazing time talking beer for 6 hours with strangers whom I'm now good friends with!
Have fun! I may be there this year as well.

 

Bring your mac and rubbers!

 

Wellies

 

I went this year for my first time. I got there on opening day at 10:40am. They opened 20 minutes later but I didn't get in until 7:40pm! 9 hours and it rained the entire time. Real rain unlike what I'm used to. If I go again it will be much earlier.
The red X is the door. The blue X is where the end of the line was when I got there.

 

Don't listen to all these Bloody Chinese Whispers. It's a Crikey of a good time.

 

My wife and I came out in 2013 and had a great time. We got in line around 8:20am (and were number 8 & 9 I think) on the second Friday as we figured we'd rather wait for the place to open than wait for people to leave. We became friends with the people in line in front of us and ended up sharing a table with them (side note: I still talk to them on BA from time to time). As soon as the doors opened at 11:00 grabbed a table and ordered the sampler, a pizza and a round of Youngers. About five hours later we left with a bunch of RR bottles and merchandise in hand. The early wait did suck, but overall the trip was great.

Make sure you hit Lagunitas and Bear Republic as well. Have fun.

 

Don't waste your time. You can get beer that is just as good and/or better without the unnecessary hype and corresponding loss of time.

 

In 2014 lining up at 8:20 AM on Fridays and weekends would probably get you in the door somewhere between 2:00 - 4:00 pm. I did not go up when I saw the videos of lines and reports on here. I would recommend most definitely not going until a weekday after the first weekend, but even then getting there at least four hours before opening. Honestly there's no way to know how crazy the lines are this year, but they will definitely be crazy. OP if you just want to bite the bullet and go on the first day (and apparently don't mind up to eight hours of waiting) knock yourself out but the first day pre-opening lineup will definitely be the biggest and you can probably get more bang for your time by waiting doing other things in the area for that first weekend.

 

While I agree with you, some folks are really into the event/experience. Super confusing! I'd much rather sit on the deck at home with a few friends.

 

If your trip extends through the week after beer week, you can always "like" all of the FB pages of the places that receive RR beers and wait for the PtY announcement. There will still be a crowd, but nothing like what happens in Santa Rosa. This is what the locals have been doing for the past couple years, but some places are trying to minimize the crowding by throwing it on with little or no advance notice. Another option, if you just want a taste of this legendary beer, is going to the DIPA fest in Hayward. You'll also get to try Kern Citra and a few others that my be on your hitlist.

 

This has gotten to be a bit of a zoo too, but still nothing like RR on a release day. All of beer week is pretty epic, especially for UK folks used to more low-ABV beers. Ending up at Toronado where there are 10+ beers you *really* want to try, all over 10%.