Pliny The Younger - Monday February 18th, 2013

[js76wisco]

Pliny The Younger makes its one and only appearance on President's Day. Hollinghead Deli in Orange will have the same shipment as last year. The line started forming around 8am (they open at 10am). The guy I spoke to on the phone said that beer lasted until ~2pm. They implemented a one pint per person policy which allowed more people to enjoy.

I believe Surly Goat will also receive a shipment. I heard the lines here last year were very long.

Has anybody actually had Pliny The Younger? Is it worth making the trek to either place and standing in line for 1 pint? I love Pliny the Elder and ask for it every time I'm at a store that occasionally gets shipments.

[js76wisco]

I arrived at around 9am on Monday and waited in line for 6 hours at Hollingshead. They give out tickets to the first 300 people who are guaranteed a 12oz pour with a Pliny the Younger mug for $15. In addition to Younger they had 5 other Russian River brews on tap.
Pliny The Elder
Consecration
Row 2 Hill 25
I don't remember the other 2.
Pliny the Younger was the best IPA I've ever tasted. 10% alcohol but didn't taste like it at all. Very well balanced and like others have mentioned some notes of an orange creamsicle. Our 2nd favorite was the row 2 hill 25. Yes the line was 6 hours long. I was probably 175 to 200 on line. It was moving very slow because people were eating sandwiches and taking their time. At the end of the day it was not worth the wait but a fun experience.

Did anybody go to any other tastings at Crow Bar or Tustin BBQ? I'm wondering how long the wait was and if they had a better overall experience.

[kevin]

Please update in case there will be any more tastings in early March.

Dang, I really want to try it this year.

Oh, well, maybe I missed the boat on this one.

[sel]

Russian River Brewing has sold out of PtY for 2013. Unless a local place has saved a keg, you indeed "..missed the boat..."!
Sorry Kevin.

[kevin]

Ok, no worries.

[JAB]

In OC, Selma's in Rancho Santa Margarita is tapping it on March 4th and Selma's in Ladera Ranch is tapping it on March 5th both at 11 AM.

[andytseng]

Just wanted to post my experience for people that plan on going in the future...

Tried to go to the event at Haven Gastropub in Pasadena at 10:30. They started at 11 and there was already a long line. Waited around til about 12 and then was told they ran out. My first experience trying to get a taste, so if you're planning on trying it in Pasadena, be sure to get there a few hours ahead of time.

[JAB]

I made reservations for Haven Pas at 11 AM on Open Table thinking that I may have found a loop hole but, an e-mail prior to the date stated that if you didn't wait in line for a ticket then no Younger for you. I quickly cancelled my reservation.

[burntwater]

I've had it quite a few times and there is big difference between the two.

There is a difference in mouth feel, hoppiness and maltiness.

That said, it does not mean one is better then the other.

One is more exclusive then the other and that is what causes the long lines.

If you follow the beer scene you'll find there are places that offer PTY without the fanfare and long lines.

[Phogoff]

This is not true (especially in Orange County). At least it's first come, first served at Hollingshead... Most places have a raffle for an 8 oz pour.

[burntwater]

Sorry, you are right, this is not true.

As you were.....

[JAB]

Please pony up then with the insider information.

[peppermonkey]

Way better than the elder. more finesse. worth it. I don't know why these stupid brewers don't make some thing great available all year. Beer's not supposed to be pretentious

[Searching4Dunny]

+1

[bg90027]

I had it last year at a beer festival. To be honest, I wouldn't have known it wasn't the Elder if I hadn't been told so and there weren't a long line of people geeking out over it. I'm sure that there are subtle differences but I couldn't tell you what they are without being able to do a side by side taste comparison.

[Helper Monkey]

Never tried it but would love to. Not enough to wait 2 hours in line for a pint at 10am, but hopefully someday.

The Elder sure is tasty.

[js76wisco]

I feel the same way. If they only release Younger once per year we'll have to endure the wait at some point. I'll let you know how it compares to Elder.