Russian River Brewing
Pliny the Younger will finally be bottled in 2020
One of the most sought after India pale ales on planet Earth – Pliny the Younger, will finally be bottled for the first time in 2020.
California’s Russian River Brewing has achieved platinum status in the craft brewing industry, in both the sour/wild ale category and the India pale ale category. Most notably, three epic IPAs – Blind Pig, Pliny the Elder, and once a year – Pliny the Younger. Each unique and forever memorable in their own right – each making a pretty massive impression on the beer world. None garner so much fanfare and fervor like Pliny the Younger
Once a year, lines form in late winter, for the once-a-year taste of the “Younger,” which finds those in attendance wondering if Russian River Brewing ever bottle this- the most elusive IPA in the industry, will ever be bottled.
We have our answer.
Russian River Pliny the Younger will be available in bottles on February 7th, 2020.
On the 16th release of this triple IPA, always tapped and celebrated on first Friday in February… Younger will be available in bottles. Even Russian River let their faithful to believe they probably would never see this day.
Thanks to the added capacity, space, and production ability with Russian River’s Windsor, California location they opened in the past year, Pliny the Younger in bottles is officially a reality. Younger will be available at both brewpubs on February 7th-20th, 2020. Guests will be able to buy 2 bottles at either brewpub, tracked by a fourth tab on the wristband they receive upon entering.
There will be no distribution of Younger bottles. Draft distribution starts the second week of February 2020.
Debut Week: Creature Comforts collaborates with Russian River on new IPA
Creature Comforts has teamed up with California’s Russian River Brewing Company, benefitting the brewery’s “Get Comfortable” campaign.
At the 2018 Firestone Walker Invitational, Creature Comfort’s Adam Beauchamp was having a beer with Russian River’s Vinnie Cilurzo. Beauchamp mentioned Creature Comfort’s ‘Get Comfortable’ Campaign, their annual community outreach program. Creature Comforts helped raise funds to help folks affected by the 2017 Sonoma fires, so Cilurzo couldn’t wait to get involved.
The two breweries collaborated on an India pale ale, brewed with Strata, Amarillo, Comet, and Pahto hops. “Get Comfortable IPA” finishes at 7.2% alcohol by volume.
This year, Creature Comforts has chosen the following nonprofits to benefit from the funds raised from sales of the collaboration: Action Ministries, Advantage Behavioral Health, The Ark, Athens Community Council on Aging, Bigger Vision, Chess & Community, College Factory, Family Connection-Communities in Schools, and Mercy Health Center. These nine non-profits will be highlighted throughout the 2019 Get Comfortable campaign season, which wraps up in November.
Creature Comforts Russian River Get Comfortable IPA is available in 16-ounce cans and draft throughout the duration of the campaign.
Style: IPA
Hops: Strata, Comet, Amarillo, Pahto
Availability: 16oz Cans, Draft. February-November 2019
Debut: February 2019
7.2% ABV
Firestone Walker & Russian River finally collaborate
Firestone Walker has teamed up with Russian River to create a new draft offering – STiVO.
As the name suggests, STiVO is a mashup of pilsners they both produce – Firestone Walker Pivo and Russian River STS.
This release is 10 years in the making, born out of mutual respect for each other’s breweries. Brewmaster Matt Brynildson regularly advised Russian River’s Vinnie and Natalie Ciluruzo as they were building their brewery. Brynildson conversely called upon the Ciluruzos when Firestone Walker built their barrelhouse. The great friendship was born out of
This beer has 10 years in the making,” said Brewmaster Matt Brynildson. “Vinnie and I respect each other immensely as brewers, but more important, we’re good friends.”
For years, fans have been calling for a Firestone Walker/Russian River collaboration. It all came down to finally making something that really just fit at the right time. What might take fans by surprise is that the final collaboration is not an over the top hoppy beer (like you slammed together Pliny the Elder and Double Jack).
Neither brewery started out brewing pilsners, but have come to love the style overtime.
STiVO is a blend of both breweries water and malt philosophies that compliment this light style, with a collaborative approach to hopping. The two breweries basically split the hops down the middle, using Pivo’s German Saphir hops, and STS’s Alsatian Aramis hops. The end result is a new age Pilsner.
STiVO will debut at the Firestone Walker Invitational on June 4th. Draft will be making its way around the U.S. In Firestone Walker’s markets shortly after.
Style: Pilsner
Availability: Draft only
Release: June, 2016
6.3% ABV
Allagash Wild Friendship Blend Tasting Opportunity Now Open
Not too long ago, Allagash Brewing (Portland, ME) and Russian River Brewing (Santa Rosa, CA) created a very special collaboration with world renown Belgian brewery, Brasserie Cantillon.
Wild Friendship Blend, born in Belgium, is a three way blend of 3 year old Cantillon Lambic, 2 1/2 year old Allagash Coolship, and 2 year old Russian River Sonambic.
Sure to be a very limited release, is Allagash’s version of Wild Friendship Blend, brewed/blended again with beer from Cantillon and Russian River. All the breweries agreed that this special collaboration would only be poured at special events.
On Saturday, May 9, 2015, Allagash will host Wild Friendship Celebration, where Wild Friendship Blend will finally be served. Attendees of the Wild Friendship Celebration will get to taste this small-batch brew of which only 1500 bottles were produced. No bottles will be sold. Additionally, three other rare beers from each brewery will be offered.
Brewery founders Jean Van Roy (Cantillon), Vinnie Cilurzo (Russian River), and Rob Tod (Allagash) will all be in attendance. “Full Plates Full Potential,” an initiative to end childhood hunger in Maine, will receive a portion of the proceeds from the Wild Friendship Celebration.
Tickets will be available at WildFriendshipBlend.com starting on March 16 through March 23. Those wishing to attend can submit their email address for the random ticket selection process – 350 addresses will be randomly chosen to purchase two tickets.
Details about the event:
- The event is Saturday, May 9 at Allagash Brewing Company in Portland, Maine. There will be two separate sessions: 1-4 pm and 5-8 pm.
- Tickets for this event are $100 (plus ticket service fees) and include a souvenir glass from the event.
- Attendees will receive 4 ounces of each of the 10 beers being poured at the event (including Wild Friendship Blend). Admission also includes food from 3 prominent local restaurants/caterers
- 350 tickets per session will be available, and sold through a random ticket selection process.
- Ticket buyers and attendees must be 21 years of age. Proof of age and tickets must be presented at the door at time of entry to the event.
- If you are selected to purchase a ticket, information on parking & transportation arrangements will be available at time of ticket purchase.
Style: American Wild Ale (Oak Aged)
Availability: 12.7oz Bottles
6.4% ABV
Image via Allagash Brewing
Russian River Pliny The Younger Returns February 6th, 2015 [UPDATED]
One of the most sought after beers in the world, Russian River Pliny the Younger returns again on February 6th, 2015.
Russian River calls it a “triple” ipa, basically for the motherlode of hops and big ABV that goes along with each glass. Younger is only available on draft (typically in 10oz pours) and never available for growler fills. 2015 marks the 11th year for this brew.
The hops used in this year’s recipe are of excellent quality from the 2014 harvest: Simcoe, Warrior, Chinook, Centennial, Amarillo, Northern Brewer, and Tomahawk.
Extremely limited release of Russian River Pliny the Younger begins the week of February 6th, 2015, and over the course of two weeks at the pub after the first day. Pliny the Younger draft distribution starts February 9th in and around Sonoma County and the Bay Area. Stone will receive their shipment for Southern California that week.
Kegs had to Russian River distributors in San Jose, Sacramento, Oregon, Colorado, and Philadelphia sometime in February, ship dates TBD. Those going to the Russian River pub for the release, read over these details about lines, etc.
Style: Imperial IPA
Availability: Draft only
Arrivals: 2/6/2015 (at Russian River). Extremely limited other markets, Late- Feb.
10% ABV
This article was updated for the 2015 release.
Avery Collaboration Not Litigation Ale Returns
Back in 2004, Avery Brewing Company and Russian River Brewing figured out they both made beer dubbed Salvation. What do you do then? Sue each other? Nope. You blend the two beers together, and call it Collaboration, not Litigation Ale. In 2006, the beer came to fruition.
Since then, Avery Brewing has released the blend when the time is right. A Belgian-style strong ale, a perfect blend of Avery’s Belgian-style golden ale, and Russian River’s Belgian-style strong dark.
Look for 22oz bottles of Collaboration, not Litigation Ale across Avery’s distribution network in January, 2015.
Style: Belgian-style Strong Dark Ale
Availability: 22oz Bottles
Distribution: CO, AZ, CA, FL, GA, IL, KS, KY, MA, MO, NC, NY, OH, OK, PA, TX, VA, WA, WI
Return: January, 2015
8.7% ABV
Sierra Nevada Collaborates with Russian River
Sierra Nevada’s Beer Camp mixed pack arrives in July, featuring twelve different collaborations with breweries coast to coast.
One of the bottles is a collaboration with another very well known California brewery, Russian River. Yvan, refers to Belgian brewing great Yvan De Baets, of Brasserie De la Senne.
This genre-bending beer has the bright, resinous hop profile of an American IPA blended with the dry and complex yeast character of a Belgian farmhouse ale. Yvan the Great is a perfect combination of the two brewing styles—hoppy, dry, spicy, and impressive.
Sierra Nevada Yvan the Great joins eleven other offerings coming this July in the Beer Camp Across America Mixed Pack.
Style: Blonde Ale
Hops: Brewer’s Gold, Strisselspalt, Celeia
Malts: Two Row Pale, Golden Promise, Acidulated
Yeast: Belgian Ale
Availability: 12oz bottles, Draft. Beer Camp 12-pack.
Arrival: July, 2014
6.3% ABV
