In Line For Pliny the Younger!!

[wardens355]

This thread turned into something very different than one guy asking if anyone else is in line for Pliny the Younger...

 

[Psylocide]

This thread turned into something very different than one guy asking if anyone else is in line for Pliny the Younger...

Everyone's a critic.

I'm comfortable enough in my own skin that I don't have to talk down to others for doing something they enjoy... little bit of that Golden Rule stuff people seem to forget about once they leave kindygarten.

 

[orangehero]

Everyone's a critic.

I'm comfortable enough in my own skin that I don't have to talk down to others for doing something they enjoy... little bit of that Golden Rule stuff people seem to forget about once they leave kindygarten.

Was that supposed to be ironic?

 

[Psylocide]

Was that supposed to be ironic?

Did it seem ironic... me being ashamed of people who have to rain all over someone else's parade for no good reason, other than to mount up on some high horse, looking down on the lowly peasants who would dare to do something they might enjoy?

If you think that's ironic then, that's just like... your opinion man.

 

[Roughster]

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

 

[Yooper]

Great write up! Thank you so much. I got to live vicariously through you, and it sounds like a great time.

Again, thanks!

 

[lowtones84]

Awesome man, sounds like fun! I don't like doing things like that very often, but I think that would be really fun to do once. I would be one of those there at 2 AM

 

[72hw]

WOW! What a day! Don't hate us, cause you anus! (Interview reference)

Can't wait till next year!

Yeah...it was worth it

:rockin:

I have to drive up from L.A. to visit this little gem of a pizza place, but yeah, let me know you plans for 2016 and I will be there to celebrate this event that has zero marketing and is put on by a true brewer who lives his craft and loves the people who are willing to stand in line to experience it!

I might have a mustache, but am far from a hipster here. Just really enjoy the company of folks who value the finer things. Those who don't wanna stand in line can stay home - more for us!

So glad you had a great time!

 

[SnakeRidge]

Thanks for that. Sounds like a fun way to spend a day off work

 

[Gentlemans_Ale]

I get it, its a big socialite thing where everyone can be all +1 cause they've had it and "experienced" it. I'd rather be in some dark hollow, 1000 miles away from any of that nonsense. I'm sure everyone in line was twirling their curly mustaches and crying on flakebook about the budweiser super bowl commercial too. Just because someone drinks/pursues (good) beer, does not make them some kind of automatic friend to me. I've ran into some pure bred a$$holes at beer festivals, and craft beer bars. I realize I sound like a dick (no coincidence), but these lineup events are everywhere now. Do the people in line realize they are just buying into hype and cheesy marketing for an overpriced glass of beer? Do what you want with your free time, people should, by all means, do as they please. I just find it hard not to chime in on this topic because I feel like the pretentious, elitist B.S. has surrounded the so called "craft beer" industry these days. Proverbial "'chasing the dragon"...and the dealers are the only ones who stand to benefit...

At the same time, I hope OP got one and it was the best beer ever.

Haha...you sound like a garage dweller

 

[72hw]

I hate to further derail this thread, but it's kinda got me riled up...

I just find it hard not to chime in on this topic because I feel like the pretentious, elitist B.S. has surrounded the so called "craft beer" industry these days. Proverbial "'chasing the dragon"...and the dealers are the only ones who stand to benefit...

Through the many other gaping holes in your theory, the one about cheesy advertising shone brightest. I mean really, how big was the RR advertising budget in 2014? I honestly don't know, but I live in California and frequent the Bay Area and have yet to see a RR advertisement, much less one touting PTY.

That said, your entirely baseless accusation that the 'dealers' are the only ones to benefit from people lining up to take part in what might be considered a true paradigm shift in American culture is a discredit not only to you, but to everyone on HBT who supports the Craft Brew industry.

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/business/3478726-181/pliny-release-brings-economic-windfall

You stay home in your dark hollow, support only yourself, take no heed of the other small businesses surrounding your local brewery.

I'm sure the Shock Top flows freely in your neck of the desert. Right between the Starbucks and the Subway.

Ok, so Sonoma County is not the epitome of destitute, but how dare you promote the feeling that supporting local, honest businesses is anything less than heroic?


Cause that's what you just did.

 

[Calfj60]

Sounds like a great day, beer, friends and a story for life. I hope to make the journey someday.

 

[LandoLincoln]

I've scoured the internet, phoned friends and stopped at every beer store along my way to find a beer, but floc standing in line like that.

You guys are a bunch of sissies. On the day after Thanksgiving my beer nerd friends stand in line for two hours for Bourbon County Stout in WAY COLDER TEMPS than freaking Vacaville, CA can dish out in mid February.

 

[normonster]

What is Pliny? Does it compare to Bud Light in its ability to refresh a man who's waited in a long line hoping for a fine handmade lager to drink?

 

[LandoLincoln]

I realize I sound like a dick

You sure do.

I don't understand the hype with Beyoncé concerts, but if people get really excited about them and it pleases them, I'll not begrudge them that experience.

 

[hunter_le five]

.....but how dare you promote the feeling that supporting local, honest businesses is anything less than heroic?

Supporting local businesses is a great thing. Calling it "heroic" is a pretty big stretch.

You're buying a product, not saving a bus load of orphans from a fire.

 

[Grannyknot]

Sounds like a good time.
I hope you tried some of their sour beers while you were there.
The Temptation is right up there with the Pliny beers, IMO.

Don't forget to update your untapped app.

 

[mtnagel]

Sounds like a fun day. I think I'd be passed out on the floor if I drank as much as you (or I would have at least fell asleep during the movie). Despite how much fun it looked, I still wouldn't wait that long, but that's cool that you thought it was worth it.

 

[Hello]

Sounds like a lot of fun and you did a good job documenting it. I would have failed halfway through and maybe been on the floor.

 

[treacheroustexan]

Nice! Would love to go someday. I like the way you think "Well still not sober enough to drive home.. might as well have another beer". haha.

 

[DarthCitra]

Younger is all hype and i feel sorry for all of your newly converted craft beer drinkers that think its worth the wait. Let me tell you, its not. There are plenty of beers that are at par and a lot that are better. Sorry fan boys!

 

[Calichusetts]

 

[TheDudeLebowski]

People hanging out short sleeved, on a sunny day, enjoying the day on a snow bank free sidewalk? I hate you for other reasons but not for waiting for PTY. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Grannyknot]

You shouldn't have much trouble finding a plethora of his opinions.

Instagram & Untapped: DarthCitra

I bet he is even a level 20 IPA Sith. Hence the name "DarthCitra".

 

[DarthCitra]

You shouldn't have much trouble finding a plethora of his opinions.



I bet he is even a level 20 IPA Sith. Hence the name "DarthCitra".

you country boys have fun drooling over the younger and elder. LOL all i was doing was trying to save your mouth from going dry over a over hyped beer. no harm

and its level 21 IPA sith...granny(?)

 

[Seven]

Congrats on scoring some Pliny the Younger at RR. I've never had it and would love to try it some day. I also drooled over the tap list photo you posted. Some Consecration on tap would be awesome right now!

 

[Gentlemans_Ale]

Looked fun. Thanks for documenting it!

 

[LandoLincoln]

you country boys have fun drooling over the younger and elder. LOL all i was doing was trying to save your mouth from going dry over a over hyped beer. no harm

and its level 21 IPA sith...granny(?)

Well, if some guy on the Internet told me Pliny the Younger is over-hypred then I'll go with that, because...

 

[Rock_Toy]

I've done it before and it's always great. If nothing else, how often can you dedicate a day to just drinking great beer?!?!? My friends are all heading up there tomorrow morning and I can't make it. Enjoying all of the great beer options here in the city though with SF Beer Week. DogFish Head Tap Takeover tomorrow night!!!! Looking forward to the 120

 

[Grannyknot]

Well, if some guy on the Internet told me Pliny the Younger is over-hypred then I'll go with that, because...

The internet alone can't be trusted. An untapped app is the only way to find unsolicited opinions from certified level 30 brew wizards who have achieved the status of "hoppier than heaven" (that is the equivalent of a 10th dan black belt if martial arts is your thing, also known as a unicorn).