 |
| The Pliny line in 2011. |
I'm not sure if anyone has pointed this out, but there's quite the fan-boy aspect craft beer these days. I read comics and graphic novels quite a bit back in the mid to late 1980s. I've watched and enjoyed a number of Star Wars and Star Trek films. Through all that, I've avoided the waiting in lines. I've never felt compelled to do so. (This does not mean that I am not a fan-boy; I definitely am.)
When I say fan-boy, I'm being mostly complimentary. There is an infectious, youthful enthusiasm in the crowd that gathers for this event. But there is a dark side. When you combine alcohol and the mania around something so rare and fleeting, it brings out the dark side of some. (Or maybe just a Ferengi-like quality; it's not a perfect analogy.)
In 2010 when Pliny the Younger was released, the brewery figured there was enough to last a couple of weeks. The supply ran out the first day as folks came in and filled their growlers. This was followed by said growlers going up on eBay and being sold for upwards of hundreds of dollars. My problem with this is twofold. First, there's no guarantee of what is actually in the bottle. Second, is that there is no guarantee of quality. (temperature, air, etc)
In 2011, the brewery announced that they would not be selling growlers of Pliny the Younger. There was some hue and cry, but folks who respect beer and its brewers understood. Still, there were people trying to get beer out of the pub. Patrons were attempting to put it in water bottles and such. A 12 ounce bottle of PtY was posted on eBay, reported and taken down within a day or so of the release. (I was one of the folks who narc'd on the dude.)
My experience at the RRBC last year was great. I went down there after lunchtime. There was a lull in the line and it only went up the sidewalk in front of the Asian restaurant across the alley from the pub. I was new to Santa Rosa and met some great folks while waiting. We got inside and took pictures of ourselves with our Plinys. It was delightful. The hops were big, but its smoothness hid the 11% ABV. I had the one and needed to get home and cook dinner. Guests were coming over.
It was almost a week before I had another. When I went back in for my second, I felt like Charlie Bucket having only had one of the coveted Wonka bars.
One last thing on the whole beer fan-boy thing. There is great beer everywhere. Everywhere! Not just good beer, but seriously amazing beer. You won't even have to wait in a long line to get it. My home state of Maine has Maine Beer Company. (Their Lunch IPA was one of the finest beers I had last year.) Utah, once known for its convoluted laws around alcohol has GABF award winning Epic Brewing. Chances are you are near a world class beer and aren't even aware of it.
Great beer is everywhere. You don't have to be in a big city. Go to one of the great beer sites like Beer Advocate and search for a beer bar in your area. Most major cities have at least one. Get to know your publican or bartender. Ask them what they recommend. Tip your server/bartender well.
Drink with passion, be responsible and respect beer.
