Pliny the Younger: The Good, The Bad and the Upcoming

The Good:

I woke up early last Saturday to a cold, grey overcast day, grabbed a quick breakfast, kissed the mysterious Kelleigh good-bye and headed out. My destination, Capone's restaurant for the unveiling of Russian River's Pliny the Younger. Proclaimed by BA the "Best Beer on the Planet". This is a DIPA most BAers and RBers would smack their mamas to get.

I arrived at Capone's 40 minutes before they were scheduled to open and I was greeted by a line of at least 20 people who were smart enough to wake up earlier than me. By the time the doors unlocked the line had grown to nearly 40 chilled beer souls waiting for their hop fix. Once inside it couldn't have been more orderly. One reason for the lack of beer madness was the brilliant idea to sell tickets for the first beer while people were in line outside and also to have beers already poured. This guarantied that everyone arriving early received at least one glass of Younger. No panicked rush to the bar, no pushing and no flailing arms to get the attention of a stressed out bartender. Very nice.

The Bad:

After a bumper to bumper drive to the city I dropped off the mysterious Kelleigh at work and headed over to Monk's Cafe for Russian River Mad Monday. I arrived early enough to find a metered spot 1/2 a block from the bar, grab a coffee and get in line more than an hour before the event. This time there were only 8 people between me and the "Best Beer on the Planet". A good start, however once the doors opened everything went downhill.

Take note I love Monk's. What Tom Peters , Fergus Carey and crew have accomplished with beer and food is amazing. When I do make it in I expect crowds. No problem. The place is small and more popular than ever. However, with the stir that Pliny the Younger creates a game plan better than opening the door and saying, "have at it" is needed. The crowd quickly filled the entire bar 4 deep and in 40 minutes the Younger was down and out. I know for a fact that several people who were seated just after the doors opened and ordered thought the waitress were S.O.L when it came to getting even 1 Pliny. Maybe the staff were caught off guard by the number of devoted Pliny fans willing to drink on a Monday afternoon. Not likely. Whatever the case next time Monk's please put a little thought to creative crowd control. It seems to work for other places. Anything is better than a complete free-for-all.

The Upcoming:

Mar 3rd

Resurrection Ale House

Noon

When the word went out the first 20 people to respond to the email were invited to come in at 11:30 to drink PtY in peace. At the strike of noon the remaining beer fanatics attack the bar. Also look for hop bombs Pliny the Elder and Hop Stoopid.

Mar 4th

The Bishop's Collar

5:00pm

First come first serve. Get it if you can.

Mar 5th

Memphis Taproom

11:30am

Much like the set up for Resurrection. After the devoted emailers get theirs at 11:00 the doors open and the PtY madness ensues.

Mar 12th

Sidecar Bar & Grille

The Younger is just one of many great IPA/DIPAs being offered this weekend during IPAs Greatest Hits.

Thanks Bryan for catching that one.

Mar 13th

Tria (Rittenhouse & Washington Square)

Noon

First come first serve.

Mar 20th

Tj's

4pm tap time

Get there at 2pm to get a ticket and return at 4pm for your beer. 1 PtY per person. Expect an amazing draft list.

April 3rd

Union Jack's on the Manatawny

Noon

It's Easter HopFest time. Hop fanatics rejoice this is your promised land.