Pliny the Younger (beer)
A triple IPA released annually in a two-week February event.
Pliny the Younger, a triple IPA from Russian River Brewing Company, first appeared in 2005 as a winter seasonal companion to the brewery’s double IPA, Pliny the Elder. It was named after the Roman author and, at its debut, was the first beer of its kind. The beer is an amplified version of Pliny the Elder, with more hops, malt, and a higher alcohol content—typically around 10.25% ABV—and is dry hopped.
The release now happens annually over two weeks starting the first Friday in February, drawing visitors from around the world and generating millions for Sonoma County. Initially, in 2010, the beer gained massive attention after ranking second on Beer Advocate and RateBeer; all 620 gallons sold out in eight hours. In response, the brewery shifted to a controlled, limited release. Until 2020, it was only available on draft in 10-ounce glasses, with a three-per-person limit at the pub, leading to long lines and overnight camping. A few bars and restaurants also received kegs, usually tapping them during San Francisco Beer Week.
In 2020, Russian River sold 510 ml bottles of Younger for the first time at its pub locations. The following year, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the release online, where it sold out in five minutes. Co-owner Natalie Cilurzo noted the brewery had previously avoided bottling due to fears of a black market, but after the 2020 trial, they found only a small number of resales. In 2022, the pandemic delayed the release until March 25, but bottles and draft were available at both pub locations.
The Sonoma County Economic Development Board studies the economic impact of the February release each year. In 2018, visitors who traveled specifically for the beer brought $3.36 million to the county, coming from 17 countries and 40 states. In 2019, with a second location added in Windsor, the impact rose to $4.16 million, with visitors from 14 countries and 42 states. By 2020, the figure reached $5.1 million, with over 23,000 visitors from 14 countries and 47 states.
- Abv
- around 10.25%
- First brewed
- 2005
- Brewery
- Russian River Brewing Company
- Style
- triple IPA
- Release period
- two weeks beginning the first Friday in February
- 2020 economic impact
- $5.1 million
- 2020 visitors
- more than 23,000 from 14 countries and 47 states
Lore & Background
Russian River Brewing Company debuted Pliny the Younger in 2005 as a winter beer complement to their double IPA, Pliny the Elder. It is named after Pliny the Younger. At the time it was brewed, it was the first triple IPA. In 2010, it landed on the number 2 spot on beer rating websites Beer Advocate and RateBeer; the result was all 620 gallons brewer Vinnie Cilurzo had made were gone in eight hours. Since then, Russian River Brewing Company has created a controlled release over a two-week period beginning the first Friday in February. Until 2020, it was only available on tap, in 10-ounce glasses, with a limit of three per person at the pub. As it became popular, people began camping outside the pub and waiting hours in line to get a pour. A handful of bar and restaurant accounts also receive kegs, and tap them typically in conjunction with San Francisco Beer Week activities. In 2020, Russian River sold 510 ml bottles of Younger for the first time at their pub locations. In 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the release online; it sold out in 5 minutes. Russian River co-owner Natalie Cilurzo says they had previously avoided bottling it for fears of a black market online, but found in 2020 that there were a few sales but not as many as she'd feared. In 2022, the pandemic delayed the release at the brewery until March 25, but it was available in both bottles and on tap at both pub locations. Pliny the Younger is an expanded version of Russian River's double IPA Pliny the Elder, with more hops, malt, and higher alcohol; typically, Younger's ABV is around 10.25%. It is dry hopped.
Reader's Guide
The annual release of Pliny the Younger has become a significant cultural and economic event for Sonoma County. The Sonoma County Economic Development Board studies the impact of the February release every year. In 2018, the study determined the Younger release brought an economic impact of $3.36 million to Sonoma County from visitors who traveled to the county specifically for the release, with people coming from 17 countries and 40 states. In 2019, the study found the Younger release brought $4.16 million in economic impact, helped by the addition of a second location: the original bar in Santa Rosa and the new larger brewing facility in Windsor. Visitors came from 14 countries and 42 states. In 2020, the number rose to $5.1 million, with more than 23,000 visitors from 14 countries and 47 states. The beer's controlled release, initially only on tap and later in bottles, has drawn international attendees and generated millions of dollars for the local community. The 2020 bottling was a first for the beer, which had previously been avoided due to fears of a black market online, though those fears proved largely unfounded.
Did You Know?
- Pliny the Younger was the first triple IPA when it was brewed in 2005.
- In 2010, all 620 gallons of Pliny the Younger sold out in eight hours after it ranked number 2 on Beer Advocate and RateBeer.
- The 2021 online release of Pliny the Younger sold out in 5 minutes.
- In 2020, the beer's release brought an economic impact of $5.1 million to Sonoma County.
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