SF Beer Week 2012 is about to kick-off on February 10th. Don’t miss out on your only time of the year to try one of the World’s Best Beers: Pliny the Younger.

Russian River Brewing Company, based out of Santa Rosa, is already regarded as one of the country’s pre-eminent microbreweries. But every year during Beer Week with the release of their extremely-limited Triple IPA, the place takes on a cult-like following of beer geeks from around the globe that descend upon the Bay Area to wait in ever-expanding lines for the opportunity to soak up 10 oz. pours of this potent libation.

Typically ranging between 12-13 percent alcohol by volume, Pliny the Younger packs a serious punch, yet lacks the overwhelmingly sweet flavor that normally dominates a triple IPA. Instead what you get with Pliny is the exquisitely well-balanced aroma of citrus complimented by tones of fresh pine stemming from the generous portions of Northwestern hops used in its delicate brewing process.

Although many craft beer aficionados will avoid ‘Younger Craze,’ due to its perceived overhyped nature–it’s only a beer after all–they are always secretly jealous of their friends that were able to go out and procure some without having to deal with a mob scene. Pliny the Younger is anything but a mere IPA, and like another Northern Californian sensation, Burning Man, it’s something that needs to be experienced at least once in your life. However, if you’re not smart about it, you could end up being stuck in lines lasting upwards of 4 hours! Check out more about the phenomenon here, and be sure to follow @BRAPHE on Twitter to get up-to-the-minute updates on where it’ll be tapped throughout this exciting week. Cheers!

• Tag: Bars, beer, Beer Week, Best of, Crazes, Pliny, Pliny the Younger, Russian River, San Francisco, sf beer week