I'm curious about the line outside of Russian River during Pliny the Younger week, last month. Was there a line outside of the pub during each day of the release?
I went that Monday, and yes, my party and I waited about 45 minutes before we made it in. It was about 11:30 am when we arrived, and a good 30 people in front of us.
Not towards the very end. I was in Santa Rosa the eleventh and twelfth days into the release and there was no line to get in and a very light lunch crowd at opening. Keep in mind that Younger was still tapped out before closing time each day, however.
I went the second day, and I probably don't have to tell you it was madness. I cruised by a couple of times over the next two weeks, and it seemed there was always at least a small line. But then I went two days before the final day at about 1:30 PM and got in no problem. I even was able to grab a seat at the bar. It's probably safe to say that mid-day on a weekday during the second week is a safer bet to go.
I went on Superbowl Sunday thinking there would be nearly no line. Got there around 10:20am and was around 90th in line. They opened at 11am and we had PtY in our hands by 11:15am.
I went the Saturday after it was first released, but it was also the opening Saturday of SF Beer Week. We got there 11am and the wait was 5+ hours long at that point.
Went the same Saturday and skipped it. Came back Monday the 13th and no line at 11:30 am (we waited 20 minutes for a table)...but the line outside started forming by Noon.
