Only 25 deep? I'm surprised - I figured there would be hundreds there. There were last year by the time they opened. I'm in the same boat as Nano - was too busy at work. I'll survive.
Got in line at Pizza Port today. Was 2 deep when I got there at 1:20. Ordered a glass of Thruster 3x IPA. Could have had a few more if I didn't have to drive home.
Pro tip for those in Northern California (or those visiting during beer week): don't wait in line for Pliny the Younger. Do one of a few things: wait until the end of beer week or directly thereafter, and check out Toronado (SF) as they tend to be pouring it (they had a keg on today, after having ran out of Elder; the irony). Hell, even Russian River may not be that crazy after beer week proper, though those nearer Santa Rosa could speak better to this. Another option is to do Celebrator. Younger has been there for the past two years, so I'd imagine it's a trend. A $60 ticketed event (at Trumer this year, in Oakland last year, likely to remain at the former for years going forward), it's really mellow by beer week standards and there are a lot of fun pours. I went straight for the Beachwood stand myself (pouring Hop Jitsu, Tovarish, and Hops of Fury), then eventually went into the Younger line after it died down a bit. Younger blew before the end of the event, but there was ample time for multiple pours. Plus, good food! Can't recommend this event enough; I hate shit shows, so this is my favorite beer week event. Lastly (and this is the one I'm loathe to share as it's a tradition for friend and me, but here you are!): hit up Bobby G's Pizzeria in Berkeley on the Friday during beer week. They generally have one keg, and ticket the buys so you only get one pour, but if you get there a mere two hours early (and enjoy a lot of great beer in the meantime; that's the difference between waiting in line and simply waiting at an establishment where you can enjoy yourself otherwise), you'll almost certainly guarantee yourself a pour and a good time. Compared to the wait in line at RR where you a) can't drink (legally anyway) and b) will likely be there forever, it's a much better way. Not to mention they had on Faction Blitzen IIIPA, Heretic EVIL3, Pliny the Elder, Drake's Hopocalypse, Lagunitas Fusion 20, and others during the event. (The only real shit show I did this year was Toronado 'Tion Night, which was loads of fun, but I got there at 4PM and a friend and I were lucky enough to snag seats at the bar and form a space with our other two friends who arrived a bit later. Awesome beers and at $5 a pour no complaining, but very crowded.)
I was there Wednesday to pick up some beers and decided to wait in line and give it a shot. I first drove by at 1PM and the line was to the fountain. Hadn't had lunch yet so I figured I would get food then come back hoping it would settle some. When I returned it was still at the same spot, meaning people kept coming throughout the day. I got in line at 1:45 and was in the doors and served by 2:30. I remember the timing exactly because I was worried about feeding the meter. If you're there just to buy beers, you could go around back and they give you an orange vest to enter and buy bottles (they won't serve you any beer.) I found this out as I was 5 people from the door, but it was definitely an experience.
