Beer Me

The Pliny Madness Reaches Fever Pitch

Pliny the Younger
Pliny the Younger Photo: Steve Ganz via Flickr

Look out beer nerds: As if you haven’t heard already, one of the most highly coveted and extremely rare (especially around these parts) American beers, Russian River Brewing Company’s super hopped-up triple IPA Pliny the Younger is now on our turf. A dozen or so barrels of the seldom-seen, limited release elixir are currently chilling in area bar’s coolers. Two have already been tapped! And though we never believed it could happen here, because you know, it’s more of a West Coast thing, it seems as if the Pliny fever is approaching epidemic levels amongst the thirsty masses.

Grey Lodge Pub’s Grand Poobah, Mike “Scoats” Scotese casually tweeted the other night that he’d already put the Pliny on tap. Teresa’s Next Door also tapped its allotment with little fanfare, according to Eater Philly.

Going forward, Pinocchio’s in Media tapped the Younger this morning, and Capone’s in Norristown will start pouring it on Saturday. And the rest will play out over the course of the next few weeks. Here’s what it’s looking like now:

Monk’s Cafe
On Monday, March 5, it’s Monk’s Mad Monday Russian River benefit for Alex’s Lemonade. The Pliny gets tapped at 11:30 a.m. sharp. Six ounce glasses will be $15. Joining it on draught will be additional Russian River rarities, like Pliny the Elder, Consecration, Damnation and Blind Pig. Monk’s will also be raffling off some impressive beer packages, including a basket of Lambic beers culled from the cellars, and another with Trappist ales. Monk’s is only accepting cash for all sales.

City Tap House
Of course University City’s behemoth house of brews got its hands on one of the few Pliny barrels that made their way East. And they expect to put it on tap on Monday. They’re selling tickets beginning at 6 p.m., with the Pliny pouring at 7 p.m. Each $8 ticket is good for one 8 ounce pour.

Resurrection Ale House
The G-Ho watering hole invited 50 regulars and VIPs in for the first pours at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 6. Everyone else is welcomed to come in for a taste at noon. That is provided that there’s any left.

South Philadelphia Tap Room
SPTR announced that it’s putting on the Pliny at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 6.

Bishop’s Collar
According to Drink Philly, the Fairmount bar will tap its keg at 4:20 (it’s a California thing) p.m. on Wednesday, March 7.

Sidecar Bar and Grille
Another G-Ho fixture has the brew and says it’s going to start pouring it on Friday, March 9.

Philly Tap Finder says Good Dog, Khyber Pass Pub, Pub on Passyunk East, Tria, Local 44 and Jose Pistola’s are among the other area bars that are also holding the Pliny.

The Pliny Madness Reaches Fever Pitch