Pliny the Younger Hits SoCal: Where To Find It

February 3,2012 marked yet another year of Younger Days, the annual release date of Russian Rivers’ most esteemed brew Pliny the Younger. For many craft beer fans, PTY is akin to a mythical beast like a unicorn or Bigfoot. However, for a couple of hundred brew-hounds, the appearance of Pliny the Younger on that particular day meant waiting as long as five hours for a pint of what is often considered one of the best beers in the world. Shortly after the release, lucky folks attending various SF Beer Week events were able to score a taste and it has since been making its way south.

A close relative to Pliny the Elder (his adopted son, historically speaking),the Younger is a Triple IPA that has garnered 100-point reviews across the board. In the next week or so, this special brew will be popping up in very limited amounts at some of southern California’s most beloved brewpubs. Check out the list below for release information and if you’ve got any hot tips, feel free to leave them in the comments for all of you folks on Hopwatch 2012.

*Not listed are events that have already occured as well as kegs that were announced and kicked within minutes (there are reports of the kegs at Stone kicking in under 30 minutes!)

LA//OC//IE:
Beachwood BBQ’s Pliny Fights Cancer Charity Raffle (tickets available until 2/18 at 10 p.m., winners selected randomly on 2/20): Purchase $5 raffle tickets from either Beachwood BBQ in Seal Beach and Beachwood BBQ & Brewing in Long Beach for a chance to win a pint of Pliny the Younger redeemable any
time during business hours within 10 days of the raffle. 100% of proceeds will go to the Melanoma Research Foundation in memory of their friend Tony Carbone. (Click here for more information via New Brew Thursday)

2/15: Tustin Brewing Company will be selling tickets today at 1 p.m. (one per person) that will entitle you to one 8 ounce pour at 3 p.m. tustinbrewery.com // (714) 665-2337

2/16: Mohawk Bend in Echo Park will be pouring the Younger during lunch hours beginning at 12 p.m. mohawk.la

2/18: Anthill Pub & Grille will be selling tickets at the door at 7 p.m. which will entitle you to one 5 ounce pour for $4. Here is their Facebook event for more info.

2/20: Hollingshead’s Deli will begin pouring when they open at 10 a.m also on a first-come first-serve basis. hollingsheadsdeli.com // (714) 978-9467 

2/20: Haven Gastropub (Orange County) will begin pouring 8 ounce pours to the first 100 customers at 11 a.m. They are currently planning some sort of ticketing system, but show up early and be within the first 100 and you should be okay. At 5 p.m., Haven’s Pasadena location will also pour another 100. havengastropub.com // (714) 221-0680 (Orange) or (626) 768-9555 (Pasadena)

2/20: Verdugo Bar will be pouring Pliny the Younger at a time TBA (follow them on Facebook for details). All we know so far is that it will be on a first-come first-serve basis. verdugobar.com // (323) 257- 3408

2/20: Selma’s Chicago Pizzeria & Tap Room (Rancho Santa Margarita) is scheduled to have a five-gallon keg this week, but have not officially released when and what time, so keep an eye out on their Facebook page. selmaspizza.com // (949) 709-8165

2/21: The Surly Goat will have the Younger on tap along with a handful of other beers on the Russian River roster begining at 6 p.m. The event is first come first serve, although Surly Goat Passport holders with over 40 stamps will have an extra hour of access at 5 p.m. Pours are 8 ounces. surlygoat.com // ( 323) 650-4628

2/25: 38 Degrees Ale House & Grill will be handing out tickets on a first come first serve basis that will allow you to purchase their Russian River flights featuring Pliny the Younger. These (amazing) flights will be the only way to try this beer at 38 Degrees, but with a full RR lineup, can you really complain? I think not. Approximately 350 flights will be available (1 per person) until 1 p.m, after which a second flight will be available for purchase while supplies last. Check the Facebook event.

2/26: The folks behind ColLAboration, LA’s pop-up mobile beer gardens will be taking their show inside the historic Belasco Theatre for a special edition of ColLAb to make up for their winter fest cancellation last December. Tony’s Darts Away’s Facebook confirmed that the Younger will be making an appearance- when when and how much they have is unknown, so if you’re hoping to grab a taste on this day, we advise you pop in early (the event goes from 12-5 p.m.) Facebook event can be found here.

2/27: Selma’s Ladera Ranch location will host an event that will feature an 8 ounce pour of the Younger and a Selma’s t-shirt (w/ Pliny the Younger logo) for $15. Tickets will be available at 4 p.m. for the 6 p.m. event. Check Facebook for more details.

2/28: (Thanks for the tip, Gabriel) The Bottle Room in Whittier will have Pliny the Younger on tap at 3 p.m. Limited to two half pints per customer (not sure if they’ll let you order a pint straight up). They’ll have a 1/2 barrel keg (approx. 250 pours). thebottleroombar.com // (562) 696-8000

San Diego County:

2/17: Downtown Johnny Brown’s will host a Mini Russian River Night starting at 5 p.m. and word on the street is they will have Pliny the Younger available (as they did at last year’s event). Check back on their website for up-to-date information.

2/24: O’Brien’s Pub will have two additional kegs of Pliny the Younger available. The first keg will tap during lunch hours on this day with 10 ounce pours. The second keg will only be available to the first 150 people to sign up for a special charity fundraiser they are doing for the San Diego Humane Society. More information on that will be released on their website.

2/27: El Take It Easy will be hosting a special chef’s dinner featuring food pairings with rare beers including Pliny the Younger. Seating is incredibly limited to 50 people, so make your reservations here and be sure to note that you would like to have the Chef’s Beer Dinner.

3/3: Churchill’s Renaissance Rare Beer Fest will also feature the Younger alongside a great list of rare brews. Not much other information is available, but the event starts at 11 a.m. Check here for details.(760) 471-8773