Pliny the Younger is Worth the Wait – Today Is Last Chance to Taste It

Here's the inside scoop from this year's Pliny the Younger release.


By Jess Poshepny Vallery

It’s week two of  “Younger” and people are still flocking from all over the world to taste the limited-release beer at Russian River Brewing Company (RRBC) in Santa Rosa. During week one, beer lovers defied winter rain and as the sun came out by the beginning of the second week, the line wrapped around the buildings on 4th Street and continued all the way to 5th Street at the back of the brewery. Visitors and locals alike patiently waited to see if the beloved beer is all it’s cracked up to be – and, believe me, it is. If you haven’t yet experienced this epic brew, call in sick, do whatever you have to, and get yourself to RRBC! Here’s the inside scoop from this year’s release (and here’s 10 things you need to know about Pliny the Younger).

The line for Pliny the Younger, to get into Russian River Brewing on day 9 of the two week release. Taken from the rooftop of the RRNC building. This is the back side of the building, leading into the parking lot on 5th Street. (Photo from RRBC Facebook page)
Day 9 of the two-week Pliny the Younger release: the line stretches to the backside of the Russian River Brewing Co. (RRBC) building in Santa Rosa.  (Photo from RRBC Facebook page)
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Sherry and Nick Shish wait in line to drink Pliny the Younger at Russian River Brewing Co. in Santa Rosa. (Beth Schlanker)
Russian River Brewing Company owners Natalie, left, and Vinnie Cilurzo raise glasses of Pliny the Younger with their staff before opening their doors to customers in Santa Rosa, on Friday, February 3, 2017. (Christopher Chung
Russian River Brewing Company owners Natalie, left, and Vinnie Cilurzo raise glasses of Pliny the Younger with their staff before opening their doors to customers in Santa Rosa, on Friday, February 3. (Christopher Chung)
First things first: order your pints! Rounds of Younger all around when people enter the pub. (Photo by Tim Vallery) Server Grant Baker brings out a tray of Pliny the Younger at the Russian River Brewing Company, in Santa Rosa, on Friday, February 3, 2017. (Christopher Chung
First things first: order your pints! Server Grant Baker brings out a tray of Pliny the Younger at the Russian River Brewing Company, in Santa Rosa. (Christopher Chung)
Bartenders pouring hundreds of pints of Younger a day. (Photo by Tim Vallery)
RRBC bartenders pour hundreds of pints of Younger each day of the two week release. (Tim Vallery)

Russian River Brewing Co. guests are allotted a three hour slot to enjoy their three Youngers, brewery bites, and any other beers they may like to try. After waiting in line for hours, people take advantage of their time inside: beers and bites and pizzas are flowing non-stop.

The brewpub is so controlled and pleasant to be in during Younger - everyone has a seat to sit in and it's easy to move around; it's almost quiet in a way.
During the Younger craze, the Santa Rosa brewpub is controlled and pleasant. Everyone has an assigned seat and it’s easy to move around; it’s almost quiet.
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Beer lovers enjoy Pliny the Younger and the full board of beers at the Russian River Brewpub. Other new beers include Jake Break IPA and She’s So Italian. (Tim Vallery)
Audrey Cilurzo, mother of Russian River Brewing Company owner Vinnie Cilurzo, samples a glass of Pliny the Younger in Santa Rosa, on Friday, February 3, 2017. (Christopher Chung/ The Press Democrat) Pliny the Younger
Audrey Cilurzo, mother of Russian River Brewing Company owner Vinnie Cilurzo, samples a glass of Pliny the Younger in Santa Rosa. (Christopher Chung)
Chef Matt Hoffman prepares the chicken wings for service. The chicken wings with the savage sauce are a huge hit and a local favorite. (Photo by Tim Vallery)
RRBC chef Matt Hoffman prepares chicken wings, a local favorite. (Tim Vallery)
Long Beach visitor Sara Adriana chats it up with brewer/owner Vinnie Cilurzo on day one of Pliny the Younger. Vinnie and Natalie Cilurzo often make appearances to say hello to guests and thank them for waiting in line and coming to the brewpub. (Photo by Tim Vallery)
Long Beach visitor Sara Adriana chats with RRBC brewer/owner Vinnie Cilurzo on day one of Pliny the Younger. Vinnie and Natalie Cilurzo often make appearances to say hello to guests and thank them for waiting in line and coming to the brewpub. (Tim Vallery)
Russian River Brewing Company owners Natalie, left, and Vinnie Cilurzo raise glasses of Pliny the Younger with their staff before opening their doors to customers in Santa Rosa, on Friday, February 3, 2017. (Christopher Chung
Russian River Brewing Company owner Vinnie Cilurzo, right, talks beer with Boots Byrd and Jerremy Waisman, both from Ventura, at his pub in Santa Rosa. Byrd and Waisman were the first in line for this year’s release of Pliny the Younger. (Christopher Chung)
Visitors enjoying their brews with beer bites and pizza at Russian River Brewing Company. Three hours may seem like a long time, but it's not when the beer and bites are so delicious! Order right away so you have more time to enjoy! (Photo by Tim Vallery)
RRBC visitors enjoy their brews with beer bites and pizza. Three hours may seem like a long time but, when the beer and bites are so delicious, it’s not! Make sure to place your orders first thing, so you have more time to enjoy the food and drinks. (Tim Vallery)