Infamous Pliny the Elder and elusive Pliny the Younger
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Pliny the Elder, an Imperial IPA from Santa Rosa’s Russian River Brewing, has had Northern California IPA drinkers drooling and panting for more, since first introduced, six years ago. By now, true craft beer connoisseurs around the world have heard the stories, read the reviews, or even had the chance to down a few pints of Pliny. Throughout San Francisco beer bars, you will hear a very common inquiry by patrons; “Got any Pliny?” Surprisingly, finding a Pliny is not as easy as you’d think. According to the brewery, there is a waiting list of 200+ establishments, chomping-at-the-bit for this hoppy nectar, and Russian River has no plans to expand, or increase production. The ‘Elder’ has built a solid reputation of becoming the IPA drinker’s IPA-of-choice; maybe because of its intense flowery nose, spicy hop finish or cleverly hidden 8% ABV. Within San Francisco, the number of beer bars carrying Pliny on tap, is increasing, but the individual 500ml ‘dinner’ bottles for retail sale, still need to be hunted-down. Even though Russian River Brewery will flash you its list of retailers, it’s far from accurate; the list is at least 3 months old, and it’s a list of anyone who has ever carried any Russian River beers, regardless if bottled or kegged.
So, here are a few SF spots I know regularly carry Pliny the Elder:
- City Beer Store (500ml bottles)
- The Jug Shop (500ml bottles and an enticing case price)
- Whole Foods (500ml bottles)
- Rainbow Grocery (500ml bottles)
- The Mini Bar (500ml bottles – don’t miss $4 Tuesdays)
- Toronado (500ml bottles and proper pints)
- The Page (proper pints)
- Murio’s Trophy Room (12oz tulips)
OK, Pliny the Elder is a must try (and repeat), and lucky Russian River makes it, somewhat, easy to find, but what about the highly elusive Pliny the Younger? To most IPA drinkers, the ‘Younger’ is the stuff myth and legends are made of. Although history would dictate that Pliny the Younger became known simply by riding on the coat-tails of his heroic Uncle, by taking his name and documenting many of the ‘Elder’s’ humanitarian accomplishments, this Imperial IPA is far from second best. Rumor also has it, that Pliny the Younger is a ‘better’ beer…whatever that might mean. At an astounding 11% ABV, this beer is said to be smoother, just as delicious, and possibly twice as dangerous as its famous uncle.
Now, where to find the ‘Younger’ is a completely different tale, than the above. Usually available in early Spring, I have heard it from the utmost authority, that the first 2010 keg of Pliny the Younger will be tapped at Russian River Brewery, at 11 AM on Friday, February 5th. It is no coincidence that this is also the first day of SF Beer Week, so the chances that other SF establishments (Toronado) will also be pouring pints of the ‘Younger’, are very high. So, call-in sick to work, get out your pup-tent, and camp-out on Haight Street, or 4th Street in Santa Rosa; do not miss your chance to taste a legend. Cheers.
City Beer Store
1168 Folsom Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
phone: (415) 503-1033
The Jug Shop
1567 Pacific Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94109
phone: (415) 885-2922
Whole Foods Market
1765 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
phone: (415) 674-0500
Rainbow Grocery CO-OP
1745 Folsom Stree
San Francisco, CA
phone: (415) 863-0620
Mini Bar
837 Divisadero Street
San Francisco, CA 94117
phone: (415) 525-3565
Toronado
547 Haight St.
San Francisco, CA 94117
phone: (415) 863-2276
The Page
298 Divisadero
San Francisco, CA 94117
phone: (415) 225-6101
Murio's Trophy Room
1811 Haight Street
San Francisco, CA 94117-2711
phone: (415) 752-297
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