Pliny The Younger

Its that time of the year. Pliny comes to town. In past years I have tried to get it.

Tried being the key word. People talk about Younger like they talk about their dead heroes. The same sort of respect. Sometimes you hear about a beer like this and it's all hype. I was praying this wasn't the case. I am a huge fan of Elder. It's a good beer. I really haven't had a beer from Russian River that wasn't good.

The game plan was to go to Blind Lady Ale House around 4. Wait in lin

e till 5 to ensure we get it. At 3:30 Mike called. Younger was being released at San Diego Brew Co at 4. I left work instantly. Grabbed Mike and was there when they started pouring. I was number 25 in line. After waiting for my number to be called I got it. The elusive Younger. It was Pretty.

Beer fanatics are an odd breed. Some are business professionals and dress accordingly. Others look to be unemployed or homeless. Some are male. Some are female. Some keep to themselves and in the case of Karen, who we met after receiving our pints was very much outgoing. So much so she came by to discuss prior years releases with us after being repeatedly told that I had never had it. She had also just come from Alpine Brewing's release of Exponential Hoppyness. Needless to say she was drunk and things got awkward.

We savored as quickly as we could and at 4:30 headed over to Blind Lady. Needless to say the line went out the door and around the building and this was 30 minutes before they opened.

What made Blind Lady special was that for $11 you got a glass of Elder and a glass of Younger side by side. It only made you appreciate it all that more. They did serve it in Automatic Brewing glasses.

I am a big stickler for appropriate glassware for the beer. Elder nor Younger is their beer. Serve it in BLAH glasses or non-logo glassware. But I digress.

Younger really is as good as the hype made it to be. I know for fact that even had having it and going to great lengths to get it I will do it again next year.

it is the most balanced 11% beer I have tried. There isn't a hint of alcohol to it. They balance the grins with the hops perfectly to mellow it all out. It is clearly a marvel in brewer dedication.