Each March, California’s Russian River Brewing stirs up quite a storm in Philadelphia. Their limited release Pliny the Younger is one of the most highly-rated beers of all time, and it is only available in limited quantites in our area. In fact, in past years, Philly has been the only East Coast city to receive shipments.
The bars that do manage to obtain a Pliny the Younger sixtel are usually mobbed with beer geeks angling to get a sip of the 10.5% ABV triple IPA (Russian River’s double IPA is called Pliny the Elder, after the ancient Roman naturalist, so they named their triple after his nephew). When these sixtels are tapped, they can be drained in less than an hour, so if you plan to get your taste, it’s important to know where and when this will happen. UPDATE: Events that have already passed are now at the bottom of the post.
Tuesday, March 20
2 PM: Bierstube; $9 at the door, all proceeds benefit the Asian Arts Initiative (h/t MealTicket)
5 PM: Eulogy Bar
Saturday, March 24
3:30 PM: Via Marconi's, 1758 Allentown Rd., Lansdale; $8 tickets on sale now, available only in person at the bar
Sunday, March 25
8 PM: Varga Bar is holding a black-tie-only affair; the top 5 users to check in to Facebook each Sunday in March during rare beer tappings will be invited to a special VIP tasting with photographers and a red carpet out at 7 PM, tasting at 7:45 PM (h/t Eater Philly)
Tuesday, April 3
6 PM: Memphis Taproom; this beer dinner runs $90 per person and includes six courses paired with Russian River favorites (including PtY); email them to snag your seat (h/t Philly Beer Scene)
Other bars that reportedly have taken delivery of Pliny the Younger shipments this year:
Good Dog
Local 44
Pub on Passyunk East (P.O.P.E.)
Hulmeville Inn ("middle of March" – h/t @hhkal17)
Isaac Newton's
We’re keeping a running list, and let us know if you hear anything new!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bars that have already kicked their kegs (some with little to no advance notice):
Grey Lodge (h/t @prpourhouse)
Teresa's Next Door (Wayne)
TJ's (Paoli) (h/t @brewlounge)
Pinocchio's (131 E. Baltimore Ave., Media, PA) (h/t @hhkal17)
Capone's (224 W. Germantown Ave., Norristown, PA)
Sunday, March 4
5 PM: Khyber Pass Pub; 45 tickets go on sale for $15 per person (limit 2) for a tulip to be tapped at 11 AM on Wednesday, March 7; all proceeds will go to the Philadelphia Public Library
Monday, March 5
11:30 AM: tapping at Monk’s Cafe; $10 per 6-oz. pour; all proceeds will go to Alex's Lemonade Stand
4 PM: Tria Wash West; $8.50 tickets for the 10-oz. pours sold out this morning after being offered exclusively to email subscribers
6 PM: $8 tickets on sale at the bar at City Tap House (limit one per person), good for a single 8-oz pour; tapping at 7 PM (h/t Foobooz)
Tuesday, March 6
11:30 AM: The first 50 people who emailed Resurrection Ale House will be let in for a glass; open at noon to the masses
2 PM: South Philadelphia Tap Room
Wednesday, March 7
4:20 PM: Bishop’s Collar; also on tap will be Bell's Hopslam and Troegs Nugget Nectar (h/t Philly Tap Finder)
11 AM: Khyber Pass Pub; only available to ticket-holders (see Sunday, March 4, above)
Friday, March 9
3 PM: Sidecar Bar (h/t Eater Philly)
Tuesday, March 13
6:43 PM: Belgian Cafe (announced via Twitter)
10:30 PM Jose Pistolas; first come, first served (h/t Foobooz)
Sunday, March 18
Noon: Side Bar & Restaurant, 10 E. Gay St., West Chester; rare craft kegs & eggs brunch
2 PM: Jamison Pour House, 2160 Old York Rd., Jamison; all proceeds go to the St. Baldrick's Foundation (h/t @hhkal17)
Monday, March 19
11:30 AM: Local 44; the event is a preview to the grand opening of their Bottle Shop, located right next door
