Calling all Californians. OT

[Swish]

So I am dying to have some Pliny the Elder from Russian River Brewing Company. Problem is, they don't ship cases to us poor saps on the East Coast. There's a wholesale distributor in Philly but they only get it in 1/2 kegs and it's $290.

Why do I need this beer? It's the highest rated on Beer Advocate, which is good enough for me. It's also a double IPA, and I'm a total hop head.

No, I'm not asking one of you to buy me a case and ship it, because we don't allow that in PA...seriously....but I'm wondering how readily available it is in Cali and what they charge for a case.

Danke

[Hyfi]

Swish, They get it at a local pub near me several times a year.

But, if you are looking for the something similar/better, try the Green Flash Pallet Wrecker which is the closest that I found to The Alchemist - Heady Topper from Vermont.

The Jamison Pour House had both Pliny and the Wrecker on tap at the same time a few months ago. I had the Green Flash first and when I got the Pliny, it tasted like water in comparison.

Also, if you have not tried it, Unearthly IPA from Southern Tier is pretty good. I just picked up a mixed case of Imperial Black Ale, 2X IPA, and Unearthly and they are all really good.

[Swish]

Swish, They get it at a local pub near me several times a year.

But, if you are looking for the something similar/better, try the Green Flash Pallet Wrecker which is the closest that I found to The Alchemist - Heady Topper from Vermont.

The Jamison Pour House had both Pliny and the Wrecker on tap at the same time a few months ago. I had the Green Flash first and when I got the Pliny, it tasted like water in comparison.

Also, if you have not tried it, Unearthly IPA from Southern Tier is pretty good. I just picked up a mixed case of Imperial Black Ale, 2X IPA, and Unearthly and they are all really good.

...just to drink, but I always check 'On Tap Philly' to see if anyone has it when I'm there, and so far I've come up empty.

I'm not trying to debate you, but That Pallet Wrecker, while rated fairly high, isn't held in the same regard as Pliny. You can check for yourself; Green Flash Palate Wrecker - Green Flash Brewing Co. - San Diego, CA - BeerAdvocate

I've had the Southern Tier and would agree it's very good. I'm not a huge fan of black IPAs, but the best yet for me was Thornbridge Black Raven that I had on cask at the Bull's Head in Lititz, PA. It was simply fantastic to my taste buds.

[Hyfi]

The other day I had the Great Divide 18th Anniversary and a Fullers IPA. Both were nice.

[jonnyhambone]

I agree that Pliny is outstanding, A friend lives in CA and has a foamed out suitcase just for transporting beer on planes...my Taste Budz beer tasting group is lucky enough to get a few bottles a year. And I'm lucky enough to be going to N. CA in a month or so for a wedding, sans kid... In other words, hello Overindulgence! We do have Southern Tier here in MN so I'll have to try that soon.

[3LB]

Smokey And The Bandit original film trailer - YouTube

try this

[Woochifer]

Man, you sound like you need to trip out to Cali next February when the annual Double IPA Festival happens down in Hayward (about 30 miles southeast of San Francisco, but directly accessible from the BART line). It's part of the SF Beer Week, so there are a lot of other events all around the Bay Area.

12th Annual Double IPA Festival - February 11, 2012 - BeerAdvocate
Schedule of Events | San Francisco Beer Week 2012

I've seen the Russian River Brewing Company brews at local stores, but I haven't tried them. In the Bay Area, it also looks like Whole Foods carries them (that's probably where I've seen them, aside from various bars). Checked their website, and it looks like they do distribute into Philly and a lot of stores, bars, and restaurants carry them. Ah, but I see from your original post that they only get the 1/2 kegs.

Philadelphia Distributor

[Swish]

I agree that Pliny is outstanding, A friend lives in CA and has a foamed out suitcase just for transporting beer on planes...my Taste Budz beer tasting group is lucky enough to get a few bottles a year. And I'm lucky enough to be going to N. CA in a month or so for a wedding, sans kid... In other words, hello Overindulgence! We do have Southern Tier here in MN so I'll have to try that soon.

I won't get into to many specifics, but liquor is only sold in state-owned stores, and you won't find cases of beer in corner stores or grocery stores. It is also illegal to bring beer or other kinds of booze into PA from another state, unless you have it shipped to a licensed entity and pick it up there.

Thousands (if not millions) of PA residents cross the state borders into (especially) MD, NJ and DE to buy booze that's almost always cheaper, even though it's illegal to do so. The chance of being caught is slim to none.

Bringing booze in on an airplane is probably one way to get caught.

[dean_martin]

Before Alabama (control state) passed its Gourmet Beer Act, I had a UPS Store box in Florida for receiving shipments.

[Swish]

Man, you sound like you need to trip out to Cali next February when the annual Double IPA Festival happens down in Hayward (about 30 miles southeast of San Francisco, but directly accessible from the BART line). It's part of the SF Beer Week, so there are a lot of other events all around the Bay Area.

12th Annual Double IPA Festival - February 11, 2012 - BeerAdvocate
Schedule of Events | San Francisco Beer Week 2012

I've seen the Russian River Brewing Company brews at local stores, but I haven't tried them. In the Bay Area, it also looks like Whole Foods carries them (that's probably where I've seen them, aside from various bars). Checked their website, and it looks like they do distribute into Philly and a lot of stores, bars, and restaurants carry them. Ah, but I see from your original post that they only get the 1/2 kegs.

Philadelphia Distributor

I'd really love to pay them a visit sometime in the not-too-distant future, and tying it in with the Double IPA Festival would be really cool. February isn't exactly a great travel month though.

[Swish]

Before Alabama (control state) passed its Gourmet Beer Act, I had a UPS Store box in Florida for receiving shipments.

We have 'State Stores' that sell all liquor and wine on a retail level. If you want a bottle of booze, go to a state-owned store. There are a number of different licenses you can obtain to sell booze by the glass or up to two six-packs of beer (or 4 quarts) for take out, like a restaurant liquor license. We're in the process of opening a 'bottle shop' restaurant where we can sell six-packs or single bottles (along with wine and liquor for consumption in the shop).

Beer distributors (I am part-owner of one) can sell beer by the case or kegs, but we cannot open a case and give you a six-pack or a single bottle. Sound crazy? It is!

[Davey]

Almost embarrassed to say that I've never tried it. So many good beers around.

[Swish]

Almost embarrassed to say that I've never tried it. So many good beers around.

...yours was the one voice I was expecting when I posted this. I'm quite surprised you haven't had this beer, and disappointed as well. Go sit in the corner and no dessert for you today.