Pliny the Younger Tappings

Discussion in 'Pacific' started by Zeekage, Feb 10, 2023.

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  1. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Which I always find interesting. It's a courteous thing to do, no doubt, but never made much sense to me from an economic standpoint.

    When I lived back East, younger kegs were a cash cow. A bar could double or triple their normal mark-up and still kill the keg in less than an hour. A normal slow Monday or Tuesday would turn into the best sales day of the week if the bar tapped a keg of Younger that day. Other draft IPAs and DIPA's that typically would be slow movers for the bar would suddenly take off if younger was also on tap. In fact, everything would sell a lot faster if younger was on tap.

    For that reason it was a BIG deal if a bar got a keg of younger in the SEPA area. Generally, any place that had a keg... it's not something they wanted to stay a secret.
     
    #21 John_M, Feb 11, 2023
  2. unlikelyspiderperson

    unlikelyspiderperson Grand Pooh-Bah (3,966) Mar 12, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I think you're underestimating how much marketing still happens with these silent releases. People are well connected these days and word travels fast. All the bar avoids by this technique is being swamped at opening by non regulars.

    My one local source for it doesn't put it on the menu and markets it by the owner sending a form text the day of to any regular whose number he has. The place is swamped when they have it and they sell through the keg in a day even with limited pours per person
     
    #22 unlikelyspiderperson, Feb 11, 2023
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  3. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I've no doubt you're right.... especially as this is something I observed when I lived back East. A lot of places only let folks on the mailing list know about keg tappings. They still got a crowd.

    I think its matter of degree and what you're hoping to accomplish. I don't really think you can go wrong either way, but on the other hand I saw some amazing Younger focused events in SEPA that were well advertised. I literally drove 3 hours to attend the Blue Dog pub event back to 2009 or 2010 and had the time of my life (they had an incredible selection of beers that day, in addition to Younger). Spoke to the owner for a bit, and he indicated the event was so lucrative, they were certain of showing a profit for the entire month, even if they sold nothing else that month (very much like the 72 hours of Belgium beer event in Baltimore every February). I'm sure they would have done just fine otherwise, but the Younger focus really seemed to bring out the crowd.

    Hard not to want to take advantage of that kind of economic locomotive.
     
    #23 John_M, Feb 11, 2023
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  4. fegelFatso

    fegelFatso Pundit (949) Jun 23, 2013 California

    Yeah, this was something they did last year due to Omicron (made a ton of Younger, distroed it all out because they didn’t feel right packing their taprooms due to the surge, so made a second batch for their taprooms in March/April). After getting feedback from everyone, they realized it was a winning bet, so they’re doing it again, and personally, I hope this is the way it goes moving forward. Younger is still precious enough to fangirl over, but at least I don’t have to wait in line for 10+ hours for it (don’t get me wrong, I’m still going to Russian River for it, but it’s on my Spring Break so I can go on a Tuesday afternoon).
     
    #24 fegelFatso, Feb 11, 2023
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  5. unlikelyspiderperson

    unlikelyspiderperson Grand Pooh-Bah (3,966) Mar 12, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    It's definitely a different world (regarding pty especially) than '09-'10. I think a lot of the value in younger these days lies in strengthening the bond between a venue and its regulars.

    I'm curious how they'll play next year. They expanded production again this year, it seems like, and there's obviously some kind of ceiling for demand for a 10%+ ipa. Historically, the hype has struggled to endure the type of growth younger has seen over the last 5 years
     
    #25 unlikelyspiderperson, Feb 11, 2023
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  6. dcgunman

    dcgunman Pooh-Bah (2,682) Jul 1, 2009 California
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I do miss the days of the growler fills of Younger. Limit 6 growlers.
     
    #26 dcgunman, Feb 12, 2023
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  7. unlikelyspiderperson

    unlikelyspiderperson Grand Pooh-Bah (3,966) Mar 12, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Man, I can only imagine trying to work through a growler of younger. A decade ago I would've been up for the challenge for sure
     
    #27 unlikelyspiderperson, Feb 12, 2023
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  8. riko

    riko Pundit (756) Jan 18, 2008 California
    Trader

    Some bars would rather reward their dedicated patrons who come there all the time instead of tickers who swoop in for a pour and photo and leave. By rewarding your regulars, you keep them coming back for the long term, which can bring a better economic payoff long-term.

    As for pricing, I was told that, at least in San Diego, RR told accounts they couldn't charge more than $1/oz and could not hold charity events/raffles with it.

    Speaking of San Diego tappings, O'Briens will tap it at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, bring your Valentine.
     
    #28 riko, Feb 12, 2023
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  9. dcgunman

    dcgunman Pooh-Bah (2,682) Jul 1, 2009 California
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    For taking it back and sharing with friends and family.
     
    #29 dcgunman, Feb 12, 2023
  10. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Not me. As I recall, the last year they allowed this, they ran out of their entire batch on day one. Wasn't a good year for me. I was entirely shut out that year.
     
    #30 John_M, Feb 12, 2023
  11. dcgunman

    dcgunman Pooh-Bah (2,682) Jul 1, 2009 California
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Any younger tappings today, Super Bowl Sunday? If so where would be the tasting rooms or pubs that would tap younger?
    I got my plans already set for today. Hoppy super Godz day.
     
    #31 dcgunman, Feb 12, 2023
  12. RaulMondesi

    RaulMondesi Grand Pooh-Bah (5,343) Dec 11, 2006 California
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    My places are Hollingsheads in Orange - Feb 20, and Vinnie and Natalie will be there. And Tustin Brewing Company in Tustin Feb 15. You usually stand in line that morning to grab a ticket for a single pour later in the day. Hollingsheads always has leftover the next day, while Tustin Brewing taps a keg with no word later in the week.
     
    #32 RaulMondesi, Feb 12, 2023
  13. theconductor

    theconductor Zealot (739) Nov 4, 2008 California

    Geyserville? Mmmm Catelli's. Jealous.
     
    #33 theconductor, Feb 12, 2023
  14. PatKorn

    PatKorn Pundit (971) Aug 30, 2007 Hawaii

    At both of them? Do you get ketchup with that at least?
     
    #34 PatKorn, Feb 13, 2023
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  15. distantmantra

    distantmantra Pooh-Bah (2,954) May 23, 2011 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    A lot of places in Seattle tapped their kegs over the weekend. Latona Pub in Green Lake will tapping their keg today at 4pm.
     
    #35 distantmantra, Feb 13, 2023
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  16. SDReaper

    SDReaper Pooh-Bah (2,174) Aug 15, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    For Encinitas and Carlsbad ppl still hunting for a PtY pour....


    Carlsbad Brewing Co. - Tuesday 2/14 at 4pm
    Encinitas Alehouse - Thursday 2/16 at 4pm
    Reminder - Natalie & Vinnie will be joining us Tuesday, Feb 21st at Carlsbad Brewing Co at Noon. We will be tapping another fresh one then. More to come in between as well!

    No tickets, just show up.
     
    #36 SDReaper, Feb 13, 2023
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  17. dcgunman

    dcgunman Pooh-Bah (2,682) Jul 1, 2009 California
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Nice to see some places tapping a second keg of younger. The more the hoppier. Peace.
     
    #37 dcgunman, Feb 13, 2023
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  18. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    How did the weekend go? Any luck?
     
    #38 John_M, Feb 13, 2023
  19. SDReaper

    SDReaper Pooh-Bah (2,174) Aug 15, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Get into O'Brien's early tomorrow, if you are looking to get a pour of Russian River Pliny the Younger. We will tap it at 4pm and we know it will get CRAZY so come get some grub while you wait. --HOPNONYMOUS BEER DINNER TICKETS are also available-- Gift someone you love, an evening of great beer and food. February 26th at 6pm.
     
    #39 SDReaper, Feb 14, 2023
  20. asong_net

    asong_net Zealot (598) Jan 26, 2016 California
    Trader

    How’s the crowd at Hollingshead? Have some OC friends who have never had it before but also aren’t the type to want to wait in long lines either
     
    #40 asong_net, Feb 15, 2023
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