Russian River - Pliny The Younger (2014)

Travel day to San Francisco yesterday. Nothing else to do but make it up to Santa Rosa and wait in line for 5 hours. Finally got in at 7:30 and there was still PtY remaining, plus many many other fantastic brews.

 

I just happen to be in town while this is going on. Originally, we just wanted to go to the brewery and enjoy some sours. Now I'm not sure if I want to wait in line for that or not. I'm not big on IPAs :/

If PtY runs dry, do the lines go away? What if we go there around 7 or 8pm ?

 

Are you saying that you arrived yesterday at 2:30 pm and waited in line until 7:30 pm? Was there still a line at 7:30?

Anybody up there today who can say how the crowd is and whether there is a line? I was thinking about a run, but will re-think if the line is that bad.

 

Perhaps some that would turn out are locals who may have overlooked the place and end up becoming regulars if the place is to their liking. If the bar doesn't announce the tapping, then it's likely only locals would show anyways.

 

1) you don't necessarily NEED a table. If a group is small, just stand next to the bar and then grab the seats of people leaving the bar

2) if you must have a table and the wait is near an hour (that you don't want to wait for inside at the bar), you can walk over to Flavor and drink Moonlight or Third Street and drink their beer. They'll call your cell when the table is ready and it is only a 2-3 min walk from either place.

 

Thanks! I really appreciate the reply. We'll sit this one out. I will be back in SF area later this year for work so I'm factoring in some vacation days to visit the brewery at a less busy time. Instead of waiting many hours, I will be looking for specialty beer stores in SF to get some Russian River sours to take home. My Google-Fu says Ales Unlimited will do the trick.

 

Yes, exactly. We were in line at 2:30 pm until 7:30 pm. Took turns walking around town, getting food, going to the RR rear entrance to buy bottles, etc. There were about 40 people in line behind us, and many of them did not get any PtY. I'm glad I got a chance to try it, but I won't be doing that again.

 

Thanks for the response. That seals it. I already had a glass of the Younger at the Bistro, so that will have to do for this year unless I happen upon a local keg.

 

They also had the new Almanac sours last week, so you should try to grab a couple of those too.

 

During the two weeks of the PTY release there is a tiny line at the back door for people who want to fill growlers, buy bottles, etc. Today is the last day so all will be back to normal tomorrow. Hopefully you get to enjoy the other beers because the whole selection is incredible.

 

20 Feb - The last day of Pliny the Younger at RRBP I happened to be first in line again. I had a spur of the moment four day weekend and had nothing else I wanted to do. I arrived at 7am and people quickly filled in behind. The line was only halfway down the block and seemed incredibly short for the last day until the 2015 release. I met some of the finest beer fans. One thing I learned last week, when I visited the first time, was don't get a side of Pliny the Elder to compare because Younger would easily overpower and you wouldn't be able to easily taste the two legitimately. Another great day and until next year!

 

The last couple of days the line has been incredibly reasonable. My buddy went after work the other day and only waited 2 hours. Today I was the first in line, but the line was only half way down the block when they opened at 11 meaning almost all would get in the first pass.

 

I want to try this beer soooooo badly.

 

Friend of mine had it at a bar in Petaluma this past week, 30 min wait for him and the wife, got their two 10 oz pours each, loved it and were out the door...

Saw his check in on untappd, told him to fill a water bottle with PtY and ship it to me! That didn't happen...

 

Which bar? Taps?

 

My cousin got in line about 5pm and got in in 30 min.

(I got in Monday and just walked through the back door because I'm special. I won't wait more than 30 min or so as I said before.)

 

Your friends will love you more if you start your journey in Alpine.