Pliny the Elder in Concord? What!?

Maybe it was Concord, CA.

 

Probably second hand Pliny if true. Russian River's closest place that they distribute is Philly AFAIK

 

This happens sometimes. Some stores bootleg a couple cases in and mark it up 3 or 4 times. I wouldn't give them my patronage if that's the case. If you want it, trade for it. It's pretty easy to get, usually just locals will do it.

 

Not really. If you have a regular trading partner in Cali, sure, but if you post up a thread in the trading forum, I doubt you're going to get much of a response.

OP, any Pliny that makes it outside of the few states that RR distributes to was traded for/bought on the secondary market. There is at least one place that has had it in Charlotte as well. If these places care about maintaining their liquor licenses, they won't be selling it to people though. I think the place in Charlotte got around the law by pouring it at a beer dinner, although even that is probably questionable.

 

Well, maybe not "locals" but you can trade for it for $4$ on-shelf beers that aren't available in California. An example is Founders Breakfast Stout. Sits on the shelves around here, but I've traded it for PtE easily. Not sure I could do Sweetwater IPA for PtE.

 

Concord is a beer desert. More likely someone is confusing Concord, NC with Concord, CA.

 

I don't doubt for a second that someone at Lil' Robert's could trade for Pliny and share with regulars. I know of a bar in Charlotte that's done this, though they've never sold it.

Edit: Sam and I are likely thinking of the same bar.

 

If I'm also thinking of the same place they have actually served Pliny though as part of a flight on IPA day.... which is totally illegal. In NC bars don't have the Liberty to pour or serve anything for any reason that isn't approved by the ABC and distributed legally in the state.

 

ALE will look past things like this for good establishments who do not break the real laws of drinking (ie serving to underage patrons)

 

The reason places get away with it is because ALE doesn't have the manpower to enforce it OR the funding to train it's officers on every brand that is legally distributed. It isn't because they look the other way. It wouldn't surprise me at all if an officer was sitting at the bar while they were pouring it and didn't notice it

 

If Concord is a beer desert, than Lil' Robert's is a fantastic oasis. Great spot in downtown, great selection of bottles, good use of taps. Total commitment to high quality craft. Would fit in well with the upper level craft spots in CLT or Raleigh. There's a tavern a block or two down that also has good craft and awesome burgers.