Pliny the Younger

I have heard of people lining up at the Russian River Brewery to get a taste of the annual release of Pliny the Younger so I figured it would be good to try it if it was convenient enough.

Sorry - I’m not going to line up anywhere for a beer but if they make it easy for me to get to - sure - I’m game to taste beer.

Over the past week, O’Flaherty’s in downtown SJ (also a Ronin Approved Hangout) had a Russian River tap takeover. I’ve been told that several other places in the Bay Area also had a keg or two of Pliny the Younger as well.

As for the beer itself, it is very good (not “lining up good” but no beer is for me). It is very hoppy as you would expect but finishes very clean and does not smack you in the face with the 10.25% ABV. I would not have figured it was that high an ABV unless someone told me as it tasted more mellow on the alcohol front.

I’m glad I tasted it but I also have a belief that scarcity marketing works for adult beverages. Whether it is Pliny or Pappy or whatever, people want what they can’t get. I’m sure some people who own rare bourbons don’t truly appreciate them, it’s just a trophy to wave at other people.

I’m curious to see what happens to Pliny the Elder as it is becoming more and more available especially around here in the Bay Area. I wonder if the demand will wane a bit just because people won’t covet the rarity of it.

PSA - if you like the Pliny style - you should really go for Bell’s Two Hearted IPA. It has been long loved in the Midwest but due to the arcane distribution rules in the country you couldn’t get it in California. It is starting to show up in stores now out here. (You’re welcome).