A bit of a downer on Friday...no Pliny!! I can only find this stuff at one place in town and their shipments are erratic at best. The beer buyer said he's lucky to get it once a month and having met the guys from Russian River Brewing, it's done on purpose.
He's not so sure it's craft-brewing at it's finest/purest or really working the laws of supply and demand. It seems the workers at this spot are also Pliny fans (who isn't?) and take most of the limited stock that makes it in. Nice fringe benefit. Anyway, there were some new IPAs to try, making for an enjoyable weekend. All were 22-24oz bottles.
1. Sierrra Nevada Hoptimum-described as a "whole cone" Imperial IPA. This one hits you in the mouth hard with big hoppiness/bitterness up front. Not sweet at all, this is a true west coast style IPA will citrus/hops/bitterness from the front to the back of your mouth. I really enjoyed it but my wife found it a bit too harsh and bitter. $8 for a 24oz bottle.
2. Lucky B*stard from Stone Brewing. My wife's fave of the weekend. It's a blend of Arrogant B*stard, Double B*stard and Oaked Arrogant B, made to celebrate their 13th anniversary. Nice and dry and hoppy but good hints of malt and very smooth. Very drinkable. If you like each of the 3 Stone beers it contains, you'll love the blend. On sale for $6.50.
3. Stone Cali-Belgie IPA. This one is basically Stone IPA brewed with a special Belgian yeast strain. Tastes like they took Stone IPA and cut it 50/50 with a good Belgian-style beer like a Saison. Think a slightly lighter/more tart Stone IPA. Just okay for me but my wife didn't like the tartness at all. $6.50 on sale.
4. Beer Valley Brewing Leafer Madness Imperial IPA. My least fave of the weekend. This one was on the sweeter/peppery side of the IPA spectrum, which doesn't do it for me. It's also unfiltered and there was a ton of sediment floating around my glass. This is the kind of beer my wife calls "chewy", almost feels like you are driking liquid bread. $4 on sale.
Not sure how many of these will be available outside California but I would certainly recommende the Hoptimum and Lucky B.