BTN: Pliny the Younger '19

I was downtown at B&N this afternoon and noticed that the line at Russian River Brewery was pretty short. On a whim, I joined it. It only took about half an hour to get in, and as a solo, I was seated at the bar. So Pliny the Younger it was.
A very nice IPA. Citruis and something peppery, plus the traditional hops flavor. Lighter than the Pliny the Elder I've had in the past. Very good beer. Smooth enough to want more.
So I enjoyed 2 glasses (the limit is 3) and a good conversation with the lady next to me, and staggered on home.
20 oz of 10.25% alcohol is a whole lot for me.

Hello,

I've just logged in to this forum for the first time so excuse my lack of etiquette.

It's Beer Week in Oakland and the lines for beer are very short. No issue with the long waits to have a pint of PtY.

IMSO, I don't find this beer spectacular and struggle to find a use for it. In general, I find that IPAs with high ABV a little fatiguing since they are rather too hoppy to be a quaffable winter beer and too alcoholic to be a food-friendly beverage. I'd simply prefer to have a 6oz-pour as an aperitif and move to something else.

That said, I find it well made. There is good balance and the hop selection was very fresh and in good equilibrium.

Also, all this buzz for a >10% ABV beer that's served in 20oz-glasswear and then you are limited to the quantity you can order, seems a bit illogical. But then again, that's what craft beer seems to have become, illlogical.

[David M. Bueker]

Cult everything is illogical.

Small production, expensive wines that get served in glasses the size of a basketball.

Welcome, Matthew!
I've lived within walking distance of Russian River and a few other breweries here in Santa Rosa for 9 years now. Yesterday was the first time I saw an opportunity to taste Pliny the Younger, just to see what it was all about.
So I found out, and walked home with a bit of a buzz.
It's good beer, but like you, I can't quite see what all the hype is about. I like two or three of their other beers better.
But then I'm mostly a wino anyway.

The Screagle of the beer world?

-Paul W.

Paul, That's another thing I haven't tasted. At least the beer isn't all that costly. $5.50 for 10 ounces. About the same as much worse beer on an airplane.