{"id":7038978,"date":"2026-08-16T07:27:25","date_gmt":"2026-08-16T07:27:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/uncategorized\/everything-you-need-to-know-about-pliny-the-younger\/"},"modified":"2026-08-16T07:27:25","modified_gmt":"2026-08-16T07:27:25","slug":"everything-you-need-to-know-about-pliny-the-younger","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7038978","title":{"rendered":"Everything You Need to Know About Pliny The Younger"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Pliny the Younger, Russian River Brewing Company\u2019s super-hoppy triple India pale ale, will be released Friday, March 20. It will be available until April 2 and is expected to bring thousands of self-proclaimed beer geeks to Russian River Brewing Company\u2019s Santa Rosa and Windsor brewpubs.<\/p>\n

This year marks the 22nd anniversary of the Pliny release<\/a>, which select local bars and restaurants had on tap in February<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

To get you primed for Pliny time, we\u2019ve answered some of the most common questions about the coveted brew. Click through the above gallery for photos from previous Pliny releases, plus some quick facts.<\/p>\n

\"A
A freshly bottled Pliny the Younger at Russian River Brewing Company in Windsor, Monday, March 19, 2025. (Beth Schlanker \/ The Press Democrat)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
What\u2019s the big deal?<\/b><\/h5>\n

Russian River brewmaster Vinnie Cilurzo first brewed \u201cYounger\u201d in 2005. At the time, it was the only beer of its kind: the first triple IPA. It is only available for a limited time at the brewery\u2019s Santa Rosa and Windsor brewpubs. Until 2022, it was released in February. Since then, it has been released in March. (Since 2022, it has also been released to a selection of bars and restaurants before its official in-person release.) At the brewpubs, Pliny is only available on draft and is served in 10-ounce glasses. Patrons can also buy and take home bottles of the coveted beer \u2014 three bottles per guest are sold on a first-come, first-served basis, only available at the brewpubs.<\/p>\n

OK, when can I get my hands on some Pliny?<\/b><\/h5>\n

Russian River Brewing Co.\u2019s brewpubs in Santa Rosa and Windsor will be pouring Pliny from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, March 20 through April 2. The beer will be available each day until the brewpub runs out of that day\u2019s allocation. Pliny pilgrims can expect long waits to get into the brewpubs; lines start to form around 5 a.m. Once inside, guests are allotted two and a half hours at the pub, three \u201cYoungers\u201d (10-ounce pours) and three bottles of Pliny to take home.<\/p>\n

\"A
A group of friends traveled from Germany for the first day release of Pliny the Younger triple IPA at the Russian River Brewery in Windsor. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
If Pliny is so popular, why not just make more of it?\u00a0<\/b><\/h5>\n

According to Russian River Brewing, Pliny the Younger is a very time consuming and expensive beer to brew. It requires an exceptionally large amount of raw materials \u2014 malt and hops in particular \u2014 and takes up significant tank space at the brewery. In other words, it\u2019s just not worth the money and effort to make more Pliny \u2014 especially when the limited supply seems to be working out just fine.<\/p>\n

Is there any way to skip the line?<\/b><\/h5>\n

In 2018, for the first time in Younger history, a lucky few got to cut the line. Following the wildfires in October 2017, Russian River Brewing launched Sonoma Pride, which raised funds for fire relief efforts in part through $25 donations for a chance to win Pliny line-cutting privileges. Since then, however, there are no cuts allowed. For the best shot at a short wait, the time to come is midweek during the evening (Windsor is your best bet). But, believe it or not, a lot of people actually want to experience the line \u2014 come rain or shine \u2014 because \u201cthat\u2019s where the event is.\u201d But standing in lines has rules\u2026<\/p>\n

How do I master the line (and not get kicked out)?\u00a0<\/b><\/h5>\n

No matter how pumped you are about Pliny, waiting in line for hours can be boring, and bored people do silly things. Therefore, there are rules: no smoking, no drinking, no bottle sharing (in line or inside the brewpub), no camping in front of businesses (leave your pop-up tents and easy-ups at home) and come with your entire party \u2014 don\u2019t cut in front of people who have been waiting for hours because \u201cyour friends saved your spot;\u201d that\u2019s not cool.<\/p>\n

\"Pliny
The Russian River Brewing Co. 20th anniversary 2024 Pliny the Younger triple IPA is filtered and ready for bottles and kegs in Windsor, Monday, March 18, 2024. (John Burgess \/ The Press Democrat)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
What happens once I get inside?\u00a0<\/b><\/h5>\n

Russian River Brewing Company keeps track of allotted time and pours with a four-tabbed wristband \u2014 not, disappointingly, with chalk marks like meter maids. Tabs are removed as Youngers are poured; the fourth tap is for purchasing Pliny bottles. Draft pours are not transferable, but bottle allocations can be transferred to other people in your party. Inside, Plinys can be paired with pub fare. Naturally, \u201cPliny\u201d bites are the most popular pick, but \u201cDrew\u201d bites are also worth a try. The Windsor brewpub has more food options.<\/p>\n

What does Pliny taste like?\u00a0<\/b><\/h5>\n

Pliny the Younger is a rendition of other Russian River Brewing Company favorite Pliny the Elder, except with more hops, malt and higher alcohol (the beer finishes around 10.25% AVB). The hops used in the recipe include Amarillo, Citra, Mosaic, Nectaron, Simcoe, Warrior and Tangier. According to those in the know (and Russian River Brewing Company\u2019s website), it is loaded with hop flavors and is surprisingly smooth and dry for the amount of alcohol and malt.<\/p>\n

Who is this Pliny character anyway? And how do I pronounce Pliny?\u00a0<\/b><\/h5>\n

Gaius Plinius Caecilius Secundus, a.k.a Pliny the Younger, was a lawyer, author and magistrate of ancient Rome. Pliny\u2019s uncle, Pliny the Elder (also a Russian River beer), helped raise and educate him, and later adopted him. Pliny Jr. and Pliny Sr. witnessed the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD, which took Pliny the Elder\u2019s life. While most people pronounce the popular beer \u201cply-knee,\u201d the \u201ccorrect\u201d Latin pronunciation is actually \u201cplih-nee\u201d \u2013 rhyming with \u201cmini.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"(Portrait
Portrait of Pliny the Younger, on the marble retained after the Giovio palace in the city of Como, vintage engraved illustration. Magasin Pittoresque 1847. (Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
What\u2019s the Windsor brewery like?\u00a0<\/b><\/h5>\n

The Windsor brewpub can accommodate up to 200 Pliny enthusiasts (the Santa Rosa pub\u2019s capacity is 135). The food menu offers more options than the Santa Rosa location, including burgers, double-fried Kennebec fries, fish and chips, salmon, schnitzel and salads. If you need some fresh air, you can step out on a year-round patio and 1-acre pet-friendly beer garden. In addition to Pliny the Younger, visitors can sample other popular Russian River Brewing beers.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m from out of town; where is a good place to stay? And how do I get around after I\u2019ve had my share of Plinys?\u00a0<\/b><\/h5>\n

Russian River Brewing Company has partnered with a number of local hotels that are offering \u201cSpecial Younger Rates\u201d during the two-week release: Art House Hotel<\/a>, Courtyard Marriott<\/span><\/a>, Hotel E<\/span><\/a>, Hampton Inn & Suites<\/span><\/a>, Vintners Resort<\/a>\u00a0and The Astro Motel<\/a>\u00a0in Santa Rosa, Hampton Inn and Suites<\/span><\/a> in Windsor and DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel<\/span><\/a>\u00a0in Rohnert Park.<\/p>\n

Want to explore Sonoma County post Pliny? Uber and Lyft are available in Santa Rosa and Windsor. The\u00a0SMART train<\/span><\/a>\u00a0is another good option.<\/p>\n

\"Tap
Tap handles for Pliny the Younger and Pliny the Elder in the tasting room at the Russian River Brewing Company production facility in Santa Rosa. (Christopher Chung \/ The Press Democrat)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
What if I am pining for Pliny, but am not willing to wait in line for hours?\u00a0<\/b><\/h5>\n

No worries. Pliny the Younger\u2019s close relation, Pliny the Elder, is available year-round \u2014 bottled or on tap. You can also check out local restaurants and bars<\/span><\/a> that may have some Younger left on tap.<\/p>\n

Where to get Pliny the Younger<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Russian River Brewing Co. <\/strong>Santa Rosa: 725 Fourth St.; 707-545-2337. Windsor: 700 Mitchell Lane; 707-545-2337.<\/p>\n

Hours:<\/strong> Both brewpubs will be open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. from March 20 through April 2. Pliny will be available each day until the brewpub runs out of that day\u2019s allocation. Customers can expect long wait times, with lines starting to form around 5 a.m. or earlier.<\/p>\n

Information:<\/strong> russianriverbrewing.com\/pliny-the-younger-release<\/a><\/p>\n

Sarah Doyle, Sofia Englund, Maci Martell, Jess Poshepny-Vallery and Christi Warren contributed to this article.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n