Bay Area Thread

[oowtfmate]

Looks like CC for released today.

ABSTRACTlegend handle that!

 

[matedog]

Yes. On-premise only.

Younger too, apparently. Toro is just piling on the shitshow.

 

[Sage1]

Going to Rare Barrel this Saturday (I would prefer right at opening on Friday, but I don’t think I can swing it). I realize it’s going to be a bit nuts there all day, especially with the public bottle release, but is there a historically less-worse time to go? I was thinking of maybe 3:30ish, which is when I’d expect the first wave of bottle-hunters to go away, but dunno if that’s what actually happens.

 

[bdogg1]

Going to Rare Barrel this Saturday (I would prefer right at opening on Friday, but I don’t think I can swing it). I realize it’s going to be a bit nuts there all day, especially with the public bottle release, but is there a historically less-worse time to go? I was thinking of maybe 3:30ish, which is when I’d expect the first wave of bottle-hunters to go away, but dunno if that’s what actually happens.

Rare Barrel does a pretty good job of their releases. SInce they open at 2, and you arent too worried about the bottle I am assuming, maybe around 4ish. I have gone later int he evening on a Saturday bottle release and it wasnt too bad.

 

[drgarage1]

Younger too, apparently. Toro is just piling on the shitshow.

loeyjarko
What's the scene? (I'm obviously not there and can't go...)

 

[loeyjarko]

loeyjarko
What's the scene? (I'm obviously not there and can't go...)

I just drank 2 youngers. No line, pretty decent crowd. Going back at 5pm for that cable car.

 

[loeyjarko]

Also just to add, thought last year's younger was rather grassy and not so great. Massive improvement this year, more on par with 2013. Still not worth sitting in line for. People are idiots.

 

[jedwards]

The 2014 CC out the bottle was very sulfery/bottle-shocked (not too different from fresh bottles I've had before). 2009 is tasting great and my favorite of the afternoon, 2010 has a cool mineral thing on the finish, 2012 is intensely citric with a slight phenolic nose.

 

[mychalg91]

Does Rare Barrel get really crowded on Friday afternoon/evenings? Will be out in Berkeley and figured I should hit it.

 

[loeyjarko]

The 2014 CC out the bottle was very sulfery/bottle-shocked (not too different from fresh bottles I've had before). 2009 is tasting great and my favorite of the afternoon, 2010 has a cool mineral thing on the finish, 2012 is intensely citric with a slight phenolic nose.

Bummer I missed ya!

 

[jedwards]

Bummer I missed ya!

Likewise! I was drinking in the back but not for that long, left fairly soon after Younger was tapped. Will probably be back later on this evening (7-8 or so) to meet some friends.

 

[abecall98]

Does Rare Barrel get really crowded on Friday afternoon/evenings? Will be out in Berkeley and figured I should hit it.

Nope, usually pretty calm after 7 or so.

 

[loeyjarko]

Likewise! I was drinking in the back but not for that long, left fairly soon after Younger was tapped. Will probably be back later on this evening (7-8 or so) to meet some friends.

Same here. I'll holler if I see ya!

 

[matedog]

The 2014 CC out the bottle was very sulfery/bottle-shocked (not too different from fresh bottles I've had before). 2009 is tasting great and my favorite of the afternoon, 2010 has a cool mineral thing on the finish, 2012 is intensely citric with a slight phenolic nose.

Of course today is the day I can't do any beer events. Interesting to hear 09 is still one of the best vintages. 08 has fallen off hard. I only have 12 and 13 in my fridge, so I'm glad to hear 12 is still tasting great (I had it last fall and it was awesome).

 

[Sage1]

Rare Barrel does a pretty good job of their releases. SInce they open at 2, and you arent too worried about the bottle I am assuming, maybe around 4ish. I have gone later int he evening on a Saturday bottle release and it wasnt too bad.

Many thanks!

And *sigh*…

(Works fine if you’re NOT logged in, which is useless since I use the itinerary thing.)

 

[ABSTRACTlegend]

ABSTRACTlegend handle that!

I ******* wish!

 

[loeyjarko]

More draft-only releases please, beer world.

 

[axeman91821]

So what's the deal with Cable Car, will it last until tomorrow? Any word on how Toronado is doing their Younger tappings/ I know last year they tapped one keg per morning while I was out there...

 

[schwartzoid]

So what's the deal with Cable Car, will it last until tomorrow? Any word on how Toronado is doing their Younger tappings/ I know last year they tapped one keg per morning while I was out there...

"Tuesday morning we will have a keg of Pliny the Younger at 11:30. Don't feel you need to stand in the first day's line for this; we'll have a keg a day well into next week, and the crowd will be much more pleasant later."

Not sure on CC though. I'd imagine they will still have '14 for on-site, but no idea about vintages.

 

[stupac2]

Cable Car batches are typically pretty large, hundreds, if not thousands, of bottles. With it being on-site only it'll last for months even if people make a concerted effort to try it, which they didn't when it was previously on-site only so I don't know why they would now. The only variable is if they decide to stop being lazy asses and keep it stocked, who knows there.

 

[axeman91821]

"Tuesday morning we will have a keg of Pliny the Younger at 11:30. Don't feel you need to stand in the first day's line for this; we'll have a keg a day well into next week, and the crowd will be much more pleasant later."

Not sure on CC though. I'd imagine they will still have '14 for on-site, but no idea about vintages.

Good to know on the PtY. Last year that was pretty handy, got there ~30 minutes before they opened and walked in and ordered as many glasses as I could carry away.

I didn't even know they were selling vintages in addition to '14. I'm sure they're painfully expensive.

 

[matedog]

Vintages were $80, new was $60. So an 09 for $80 seems like a pretty good deal relative to the new vintage being $60.

 

[axeman91821]

Vintages were $80, new was $60. So an 09 for $80 seems like a pretty good deal relative to the new vintage being $60.

That's not bad at all. Guess I'm spending more money this week than I had planned.

 

[schwartzoid]

Good to know on the PtY. Last year that was pretty handy, got there ~30 minutes before they opened and walked in and ordered as many glasses as I could carry away.

I didn't even know they were selling vintages in addition to '14. I'm sure they're painfully expensive.

As Andrew reported, very reasonable pricing and I would recommend 09 and 12 after having tasted 09-14 yesterday.

 

[loeyjarko]

09 is gone. Sorry lads.

 

[axeman91821]

Another question, what are the Rare Barrel bottle releases like? Trying to gauge if there will be enough time to check out the Toronado barleywine festival and then head over and still get bottles.

 

[RyanG1]

Another question, what are the Rare Barrel bottle releases like? Trying to gauge if there will be enough time to check out the Toronado barleywine festival and then head over and still get bottles.

Well run and bottles usually hang around later in the day or following day(s). The barleywine festival is packed and you should make that your priority if you wish. Rare Barrel bottles are meh and easy to trade for.

 

[bdogg1]

Well run and bottles usually hang around later in the day or following day(s). The barleywine festival is packed and you should make that your priority if you wish. Rare Barrel bottles are meh and easy to trade for.

Don't agree on the meh part but spot on with everything else, lol.

 

[RyanG1]

Don't agree on the meh part but spot on with everything else, lol.

I think some of their bottle and tap offerings are great, but those are far and few between. And even with the bottles I like, I have gotten some really flat/non-carbed ones. Skipped membership this year for that reason and plus the cost of bottles is overpriced. Like the taproom and will visit frequently, because I do like the environment and draft offerings.

 

[bdogg1]

I think some of their bottle and tap offerings are great, but those are far and few between. And even with the bottles I like, I have gotten some really flat/non-carbed ones. Skipped membership this year for that reason and plus the cost of bottles is overpriced. Like the taproom and will visit frequently, because I do like the environment and draft offerings.

I have not experienced a bad bottle from them yet. As far as cost, I def agree, they are pricey. Seems to be the norm these days (except those boys up in Oregon). The taproom is a lot of fun but even that can be pricey hahha