Pliny The Younger 2018

On opening Friday, if you're in line by 6am, I think you'll be ok to get in the first wave. 6am seemed last year to be sort of that tipping point where people really started to show up in larger quantities. The line really started to explode at that point. 6:30, might be pushing it...

RR has porta potties on site and a hand washing station. They have a security guard walking the line constantly. Around 5 or 6 am, they'll walk through with stamps/tickets to make sure no one is cutting the line.

Now, having said that, the lines generally have been a little lighter at RR the last several months. The Cantillion event line was smaller than I expected, and several saturdays have been shorter lines than say a year ago. I know the fire had some impact, maybe holidays, maybe they hype is waning... tough to say. I will say that weather doesn't really seem to deter people from standing in line.

Just know the first people in line close the bar and walk right outside to get in line.

 

Great, thanks for the info. When you say close the bar and walk right outside to get in line, you mean the night before right? I would actually consider it, just for the hell of it, but I know 100% others in the group won't. So sounds like 6 AM it is. We are about half-hour drive away so it isn't that bad I guess.

If you just miss the first group, should you realistically expect an extra 3 hours in line?

 

Yes each wave is basically an extra 3 hours. The first wave gets there table for 3 hours. Some do trickle out earlier than that. But not many. And if your group is more than 4 or 5, then you have less available table options and have to wait for the tables with more seats. My advice is make sure you are in the first wave.

 

Is there a list for LA distribution yet? I'll be in DTLA for a conference from Feb 4 - Feb 7 and never had PtY before, seems like it may time out in my favor?

 

I think you'll be a little early, distribution is usually in the weeks following the release at the brewery.

"We will begin distributing Pliny the Younger on draft the week of February 5th in and around Sonoma County and the Bay Area. Stone will likely pick up their shipment for Southern California that week."

 

In the next couple of weeks, the Full Pint will have a full list of SoCal releases. But it’s unlikely you’ll find it here that early; it usually drops here in late Feb through early March.

 

My one and only experience was at the source in Santa Rosa in 2013. After standing in line for about 6 hours, we finally got in and it was Mecca. My friend that I went with has IBS, so he bailed after about 1 1/2 hours (wtf?) and I was left by my lonesome to chug-a-lug! Met so many awesome people, drank so much kick ass beer... I couldn't imagine doing it any other way!

 

Missed the chance to call it Young Younger.

 

It's nothing remarkable. People want it because they can't have it.

 

It's definitely something any IPA lover should try at least once. I agree that it's great but the hype/rarity is what elevates it to that legendary status.

Whenever people ask me if the taste is worth it to make a trip up to Santa Rosa I tell them pretty bluntly: "No, but the experience is."

The beer isn't SO good that it warrants waiting 3+ hours in line, but the experience is really fun. You get to meet cool people in line, build up that anticipation, and then finally have a really well-executed tipa (along with plenty of other great RR beers).

It's a fun once a year trip for me.

 

I mentioned it at the start. It's an old school TIPA, and it still rather tasted like it last time I had a pint.

And that's cool. It's a time machine in a glass.

 

Dangerously easy to drink. It's not hard to get fucked up real quick and/or have your palate obliterated such that subsequent beers are no longer drinkable.

 

Did you really register as a member of BA just to say that?

 

Someone's bitter... (pun intended)

 

Well put!! It’s extremely drinkable. It’s one of, if not the, OG TIPA.. I just got into the craft beer scene several years ago but am impressed that it’s withstood the test of time and is still relevant . since it’s inception was 14 years ago. The hype around it could be compared to that of Dark Lord Day to some degree. Yes there’s tons of other BA stouts out there but this too has withstood the test of time. Marketing is a helpful tool as well in getting people to talk about and want products too. We all have learned this recently with bud light haven’t we. Dilly dilly

Also we’ll put!!

I noticed that too. Hilarious

 

The best batches have definitely been the easiest drinking TIPA I've come across. Your comments describe well my experience, well said John!

 

I've only had it once, but agree with it being the easiest-drinking TIPA I've had — only one other has really come close.

I am going to Santa Rosa this weekend with a friend who's never tried it. It'll be my first time visiting the brewery. I'd like to drink the other RR beers while I'm there — should I do samples of those first to avoid wrecking my palate?

Also, any recommendations for other beer spots to hit while I'm there? I know of several, but I don't know how many I'll be able to hit without over-imbibing, :-)