Pliny the Younger, which Beer Advocate ranks as the second-best beer in the world, will return to a select few Colorado bars this month, where it will be quickly tapped amid much excitement and gone even faster. Made by California's Russian River Brewing, the triple IPA has a cult following that always inspires crowds and controversy. (Update: for all of the tappings that we know of, go to the next page.)

See also: - Get your Pliny the Younger now because the cult beer will be gone...soon - Pliny the Younger, a California cult beer, is on its way to Colorado -- so stop bugging the Falling Rock Taphouse already! - Russian River's Pliny the Younger goes fast at Falling Rock

Last year, only fourteen Colorado establishments got a chance to tap very small, six-gallon kegs of the rare beer, and Russian River owner Vinnie Cilurzo advised all of those locations -- via his distributor, Elite Brands of Colorado -- that the beer should be tapped within two weeks of arriving so that it was fresh.

Tappings are often handled with tickets, and an eight-ounce pour usually ranges from $8 to $10. Customers generally only get one glass each.

The Falling Rock Taphouse typically taps the beer first, although the craft beer mecca hasn't yet announced when that will be (update! see announcement below). But two other restaurants, one in Boulder and one in Denver, have set the dates for their Pliny the Younger tappings. (Stay tuned to Westword's weekly Beer Calendar for Pliny updates throughout the month.)

The Falling Rock Taphouse will pour Pliny the Younger on Saturday, February 16, at 1 p.m. Doors will open at 11 a.m., and tickets will be issued as you arrive to make the process run as smoothly as possible, the establishment says, adding, "you do not pay for the ticket in advance, only at the time of consumption." Falling Rock will tap two additional kegs of Younger on Saturday, February 23, and Sunday, February 24 (see below).

Falling Rock will tap a keg of Younger on Saturday, February 23 at 12:30 p.m. (this allows for folks to 'Get Younger' and then make it over to the Wynkoop for Beer Drinker of the Year Finals at 2 p.m.). Get there early for tickets.

Lucky Pie Pizza in Louisville will also break into its Younger today (Saturday, February 23). Tickets for this 1 p.m. tapping go on sale at 11:30 a.m.; price and ounces are TBA. The restaurant will also be serving Pliny the Elder and Russian River's Blind Pig (which many people prefer to Pliny) all day. Oh, and Lucky Pie adds this disclaimer: "It is the middle of winter and the Russian River trucks have to travel over the mountains to deliver the keg. So if it doesn't get here on time, don't hold it against us!"

Oskar Blues Homemade Liquid and Solids will tap Pliny on Saturday, February 23, from 1 to 6 p.m., but will only serve it to people who showed up earlier in the day to buy a wristband. Wristbands go on sale at 10 a.m.They cost $10 each and you may only one. They will get you a single, ten-ounce pour.

Falling Rock will tap a keg of Younger on Sunday, February 24 at 1 pm. Get there early for tickets.

The Cheeky Monk Belgian Beer Cafe, on Colfax Avenue, will tap a sixtel of Younger on Monday, February 25, at 6:30 and another on Thursday, February 28, at 6:30. The beer will cost $10 a glass/first come, first serve, according to the restaurant.

Backcountry Pizza and Taphouse in Boulder will tap a six-gallon keg at noon on Sunday, February 24. Tickets will be available for purchase at 11 a.m.; $9 for a 10-ounce pour, one ticket per person.

Avery Brewing will tap Younger during its Strong Ale Fest on March 2. Sadly for those who don't already have tickets to the fest, however, it is sold out.

Last year, Pliny the Younger (not to be confused with its bottled cousin, Pliny the Elder) was also poured at Oskar Blues Homemade Liquids and Solids in Longmont, Trinity Brewing in Colorado Springs, Hops & Pie, the Vine Street Pub and Freshcraft, along with a few other locations in Fort Collins and Boulder.

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