"Beer lovers are well aware that Russian River Brewing Company’s Pliny the Younger is considered the most desirable in the country, due in no small part to its relative scarcity: For 15 years, the brew has only been served for two weeks, starting on the first Friday of February. That’s today, and Russian River confirms that the Pliny will start flowing at 11 a.m., and will be sold through February 20. Pliny’s brewers set fans buzzing late last year when they announced that for the first time ever, the beer would also be made available in bottle form. This is a huge switch from the past, when the only way to quaff Pliny was to drink it as it’s poured at Russian River Brewing Company’s taprooms in Santa Rosa (725 Fourth Street) and Windsor (700 Mitchell Lane). That doesn’t mean Pliny fans can just waddle on down to the 7-11 and pick up a case, however. Russian River is quite firm on the matter, in fact, saying that to buy a bottle, one must still wait in a (one to six hour!) line at their taprooms and take a seat at the bar or a table, where they will be allowed to buy a maximum of two 510 ml bottles to take home — that is, if Russian Rover hasn’t already run out. (It’s worth noting here that this year’s beer is estimated to pack a 10.25 percent ABV punch, so consume wisely.)" - Eve Batey
