I will be in Orange County for a work trip next week...any suggestions where I can pick up some Pliny? Are Alpine bottles available anywhere in the area? Any other general recommendations where I should grab a beer? Thanks.
Orange County is a mighty big place. Hollingshead's Delicatessen usually has Pliny. Alpine might be a bit harder to find. As when they show up to shops, they're out the door quick. But it seems like Pure Hoppiness is making its way to SoCal as I saw Ramirez liquor got some in today. So check around.
Pliny and Alpine can be elusive. Even being local and diligent doesn't always ensure you'll get your hands on some. Knuckle sandwich from Bootleggers should be hitting shops next week so that might be a nice consolation. You can try whichever Whole Foods you're closest to and see if they have Pliny but it tends to sell out within hours of word hitting the street.
Any place that has pliny usually sells out in 3-4 hours. U can try calling all the whole foods and total wines in the area. For alpine best bet is to go there. Any place that alpine distributes to will tell you the same and that they only get shipments 2-3 times a year. I just got back from there and maxed out my allocations for pure happiness and Nelson in bottle and growler. Well worth the long ass drive!
2-3 times a year is a bit under selling it. I know my local bottle shop gets at least 6 of each bottle every couple of weeks/every other month at the very least. That's not to say it's tough or that it sticks around for more than a couple of hours. But it does make it to L.A. often enough as I do see Sunset Brewing company post it on their facebook page frequently enough.
