I'm tired of all of this "Pliny the Elder" this and "Westvleteren" that. Are these legendary (mythical?) beers really that much better than a craft barley pop found at a local nanobrewery or Safeway beer case?
Yes, I consider myself a beer connoisseur and am even making strides toward becoming a decent brewer. Further, I am co-owner of Seattle's own Flying Bike co-op brewery (which any schmo with a few bills burning a hole in their pocket can also aspire to). So, I guess it is imperative that I strive for finding and tasting the excellence that is [insert fanfare, cue majestic movie trailer voice] Pliny the Elder and Westvleteren XII.
Pliny the Elder is a double IPA (also known as an Imperial IPA) brewed out of Santa Rosa, CA's own Russian River Brewing Co. They keep the batches of Pliny small both to ensure fresh consumption and to avoid the risk of altering the much-praised result, what many call the perfect beer.
In contrast, Westvleteren beers are brewed at a Belgian abbey by Trappist monks. Named by their batch number, these beers are also made in limited quantities and, apparently, are only being sold stateside for now to pay for some abbey upgrades (perhaps a remodeled silent home theater room?). Once sold out, they will return to "reservation only" sales.
The kudos for these godly ales have been repeated ad nauseum. Accolades like "100 out of 100," "A+," "Beer of the Year," "Best Beer in the World" have been bestowed by such publications as RateBeer.com, BeerAdvocate.com, Zymurgy magazine, et al. and re-printed by the likes of the Huffington Post, the Chicago Reader, and that bellwether of modern journalism, the Sacramento News & Review (thanks for selling us your Kings, by the way).
But can these beers really stand that far apart from a good Lagunitas or a Bridgeport? A Scuttlebutt or a Stone? An Elysian or a Deschutes? Even a FoggyNoggin or a Brickyard (shout out to Woodinville)?
Yes, I brew so I get that there are almost countless variables that go into making a batch (many more than wine; take that, oenologists) and when stars align and these variables mesh, you notice. But is there really that big a difference between "great" beers and these legends? Or, is it all hype? Is there money changing hands between the beer makers and raters (never trust a Belgian monk)? Is it all in the name? Are there underground, masterful marketers at these breweries who have found the formula through print and social media for creating the perfect hype machine?
When I eventually do get my hands on these ales (and I recently missed another chance for Pliny at Seattle's Taphouse Grill, d'oh!), it is almost certain that I will be disappointed given the height of the pedestal on which I have placed them. But, I hold onto the thought that maybe, just maybe, something transcendent will happen when I take that first sip. Thus, I will stay on Bottleworks Twitterfeed. I will continue to monitor eBay and scoff at the ridiculous reserves. I will continue to ask staff and patrons of local home brew stores. These are small prices to pay to continue the search for the incomparable quaff.
Until then, I will enjoy my latest home brew, an as-of-yet-named winter ale, and choose to believe that it is, in its own right, a legend...in my own mind.
Stay tuned for my next post where I will vilify all beers that violate Reinheitsgebot (and attempt to pronounce it). Black Raven Brewing, my eyes are on you!
