WOW! What a day! Don't hate us, cause you anus! (Interview reference)
Friend swung by house at 7AM and we were in Santa Rosa a little after 8AM. We parked the truck the cruised over. I guessed the line was a little more than 100 people when we got there. My buddy went to the front and asked how long the 1st in liners had been there = since 2AM! He did a prelim count on the way back and came up with 109. Turns out he was pretty accurate given invariably some peeps out getting coffee / taking the Browns to the Superbowl, etc..
We took turns wandering and holding down the fort in line. By 9AM, the line had extend behind us all the way to the intersection and around the corner. By the time it started moving at 11AM I would guess another 200-300 people were behind us in line!
As the line started moving, I was able to see some of the signs for the "rules" of the Younger line:
Even closer:
By the time we got to the pavilion / shade thing it was clear we would be RIGHT on the cusp. The importance of that is if you don't make the first 135, you have to wait for people to leave to get seated. They have 3 hours to burn, so it can be a LONG wait!
We got our wrist bands and were offered THE LAST TABLE still open.
Directly next to the line outside. I was ready to say, "Let's do this!" but my friend asked, "Any chance we could share a table inside with someone?" The hostess came back and said they had found someone who would be willing to share. Woot!
Made the introductions and realized just how small the world really is! One of the guys was the best friend of the husband of one of my coworkers! The other was a diehard Seahawks fan. The conversation went something like this, "I Like Beer. HEY, I like beer too! I know someone you know! I like the Seahawks as well! Let's be best friends!"
Sat down and fired off Tab 1 of 3 tabs on the wrist band for my first pint of the Younger. I wanted a clean pallet given the effort and time. Server came out with our first pints:
Clinked glasses, and took the first sip. The reaction?
DAMN!!! Like the Elder but without a definite more kick at 10%. It had a nice mouth feel and body. The hops were actually not as hoppy as I expected but still a nice strong bitter and aromatic. It was pretty awesome for sure! Not a person reading this wouldn't have enjoyed it, even if you're not a hop head.
It actually didn't take long before I tore off my 3rd tab and downed what I thought would be my last quaff of the nectar. It was time to see what other offerings were on the board. Other than the Younger, I was most excited about the sours!
Which lead to:
Actually we did the full flight twice. What better way to wash down the 42 sampler? A pint of The Elder. Yummmm! Ordered a pizza, as you can tell by the picture I was feelin' it if you know what I mean!
Went to take a piss and snapped a shot of the packedness!
Just when I thought we were slowing down, a dude popped over and randomly offered me one of his tabs! WOOT!
I split it up amongst the table and we all put down our last taste of the Younger. Was a great way to end the drinking...at RR
Spent a few duckets getting 2 growlers of the Elder, a shirt, and a 6 pack of Concentration and Supplication. So frickin' good! I honestly like Concentration better the the Elder to be truthful!
Went to the truck and dropped off the loot and decided neither of us was in any condition to drive. Decided to watch a movie to sober up. Bought tickets and had a few minutes to burn, so stopped by Aleworks and had another beer
Watched / slept through the movie, still wasn't sober, so hit Aleworks again. Man for a Tuesday this place was hopping!
Finally with something in our stomachs other than beer, it was time to head out. It was only 10 PM, lol! Got home at 11:45 PM, crashed, had to wake up much too soon for work, worked all day today, and now am at home reflecting on the awesome times! Can't wait till next year!
Yeah...it was worth it
