Mindy Knows

{Left to right: the elusive Pliny the Younger pictured with Pliny the Elder and Blind Pig – Russian River Brewery’s triple, double, and single IPAs, respectively.}

When we received an invitation to join some friends on their 3rd annual quest for Pliny the Younger, I was intrigued. Albeit only a rookie beer drinker myself, I recognize the Elder as a favorite of Shaun’s and had heard legend of the elusive Younger – a triple IPA by Russian River Brewery in Santa Rosa and only available in limited supply two weeks out of the whole year. Details of the tapping are oft conveyed much like folklore due to its rarity and, too, because it’s one helluva beer - some argue the best in the world. Fan(atic)s fly in from as far away as Australia and Japan for a taste of this liquid gold, which come February happens to be available in my backyard. I’m so glad we went with seasoned Russian River Brewery beer buffs who knew the keys to ensuring our quest’s success.

Due to the beer’s limited supply & distribution plus growing popularity, camping out or at least getting in line obscenely early has become requisite. The Russian River brew pub opens at 11a and seats only X amount of people, whatever their capacity is. Those few who get in reward themselves by marinating and drinking to their heart’s desire. (It helps that the food is good here, too!) Only once those people close out and vacate their seats are more allowed in. I was told it’s not unheard of for the line to wrap around city blocks. Some sad souls wait all day and don’t get in before the day’s supply runs dry as they allot only a certain amount per day to make sure it lasts the entire two weeks. Albeit extremely rare, we didn’t want to take any chances. To be guaranteed a table in the first seating, we needed to be in line no later than 8a.

On Saturday, Shaun and I were up at 5a to make the 2 hour drive north to Santa Rosa. We were fortunate enough to score an early checkin when we called ahead – they had one room available and it was actually an upgrade from what we paid in advance. (FYI: The Hyatt Vineyard Creek was a wonderful hotel convenience- and comfort-wise. I’d definitely stay again!) We tossed our bags in our room, grabbed some supplies (water bottle, Pocket Chair, snacks, gloves, warm jacket) and hoofed it the half mile from the hotel to Russian River Brewery arriving with 20 minutes to spare. And so it began:

{The scene when we arrived at 7:40a – folks camped out in anticipation of the Pliny tapping. Temps dropped to 33* each night that week! SB – please note how few people are NOT in line ahead of us at this point.}

Within minutes these characters joined us in line – we had 11 strong!

We passed the 3 hour wait hanging out together, playing Cards Against Humanity, and running back forth in shifts to the Starbucks and Peets Coffee across the street. Many, hot, caffeinated beverages and breakfast sandwiches were consumed.

{My Pocket Chair came in extremely handy!}

By 1030a – 30 minutes before the brew pub opened – the line had substantially swelled and snaked around the entire city block.

At 11a we made it in! And scored a sweet spot all together outside on the patio. Great friends, good food, sunshine, and BEER!

In addition to countless Pliny the Youngers, we had a few samplers – adore how they use bottle caps to label beers – and conducted a vertical tasting of their single, double, and triple IPAs. The triple, Younger, won with certainty. For a 10.6% alcohol beer, it was delightful! Crisp and smooth. Made the entire getting up early just to stand in the line in the cold for 3 hours abundantly more worth it since the other beers are available year round without the hassle. Tho the hoops we jumped through makes for a more memorable experience, I think. Truly, couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend start that Saturday! 

After 4 hours of beer bliss, we parted ways for a bit. While half headed back to the hotel for a siesta, I kidnapped Chrissy from her husband and we headed to a wine tasting & food pairing. The wine and food was just ‘meh’ but it was nice to chill out with my friend in a quiet setting. I also only paid $25 for the $50 tasting for 2 – thank you, Groupon. (Whenever I make pre-arranged travel plans I make a point to check out the local Groupons/Living Social/Bloomspot/Travel Zoo deals in advance just in case there’s something worthwhile.)

Afterwards, we met up with Matt and Shaun who had both moved on to whisky. Food was definitely in order, so we headed to Jackson’s on 4th street. It was WONDERFUL. Ambience, food, the service – the works! Chrissy and I each ordered an outstanding whisky martini with an almond rim to go with our table’s charcuterie board, oysters on the half shell, truffle fries, calamari, and crab cakes. Hands down that was the best food I had all weekend.

Around 7 we progressed to Jack and Tony’s Restaurant and Whisky Bar where our group had an 8p dinner reservation.

The restaurant wasn’t too busy and our table was already set up and waiting for us. ((In hindsight, perhaps we should’ve taken that as a sign…) Chrissy, Matt, Shaun and I were quite satisfied from feasting at the last place, so we stuck with light apps like dungeness crab soup, salad, and truffle mac n’ cheese paired with our whisky flights. When our friends finally rejoined and ordered entrees, they unfortunately were disappointing all around (from what I understood, several plates were cold, cooked, improperly, and the lobster potpie had shells in them, etc.). Which kind of matched the service which left much to be desired. (You can’t call yourself a whisky bar and not have the servers be up on their whiskies!) Anyways, we were there with friends so in the end I still had a good time! And played it smart – sober by the time I went to bed + plenty of water + vitamins meant I could play the next day.

On Sunday, Chrissy and I rallied Matt and Shaun for some wine tasting at De Loach and lunch at Lagunitas on the way home.

Lagunitas was already one of my favorite breweries just based on my Trader Joe’s beer runs, so it was really fun actually going there. Great atmosphere and I got a kick out of their sign about keeping kids in check!  I have to say, tho, while the beer is tasty, the food – not so much. And the service was slow. RRB has got them beat, for sure. Still, didn’t stop us from picking up some slick souvenirs. I got a tee and Shaun got a cool beer tray.

 {Source.}

Upon returning home, I was very enthusiastic about getting the beer I’d fallen in love with over the weekend in my friends’ and family’s hands. Upon checking out RRB’s distribution, I discovered that I’d definitely been taking for granted how abundantly available their beer is here in the South Bay. Many of the pubs and restaurants we frequent have something on the menu which is how we became familiar with them. (Or maybe that says a lot about the pubs we go to…) In sum, I had no idea it was that limited. Too bad for my folks – RRB just recently pulled distribution to Washington. Although, they’re pulling all that fresh seafood in from their actual backyard, so don’t feel too bad for them. It’s also incentive to come visit. My mom has already expressed interest in another SF/Sonoma girls’ weekend  in April so I may just have to insert a brewery stop in amongst all the wineries. In fact, it’s a must.

Hyatt Vineyard Creek Hotel & Spa - 170 Railroad St, Santa Rosa, CA 95401

Russian River Brewing Company - 725 4th Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95404

Jackson’s Bar and Oven - 135 4th Street, Santa Rosa

Lagunitas Brewing Company - 1280 N. McDowell Boulevard, Petaluma, CA 94954

Backyard Breweries: Pliny the Younger or Bust