This is my second time having Pliny the Elder. The first was on tap at Monks in Philly. I think it was much better on tap. Jon acquired this in a trade with one of our friends from the west coast. Still an amazing beer, regardless of how you enjoy it.
Pliny the Elder is brewed with Amarillo, Centennial, CTZ, and Simcoe hops. It is well-balanced with malt, hops, and alcohol, slightly bitter with a fresh hop aroma of floral, citrus, and pine. Best enjoyed FRESH! That is why we make it in such limited supply. Actual bottling date is printed on each bottle!
Where did we come up with this name? Back in the year 2000, our friend, Vic Kralj, who owns the Bistro in Hayward, California, decided to have his first ever Double IPA festival. Vic invited 10 breweries, 6 of whom (including us) had to brew something special for him since we had nothing that would fall under this style category. Vinnie had made a Double IPA at Blind Pig in 1994, but was not brewing one at Russian River Brewing at the time. He had an idea for the recipe, but not a name. After much research in beer books, brainstorming, and deliberation, we came up with “Pliny the Elder”. Pliny, the man, lived in the first century- 23 to 79 A.D. According to our brewing references, he and his contemporaries either created the botanical name or at least wrote about Lupus Salictarius, or hops, currently known as Humulus Lupulus. That was a very early reference to an important part of any Double IPA! Pliny the beer has now become one of our flagship brews!
Pliny the Elder was immortalized by his nephew, Pliny the Younger, who wrote about his uncle succumbing to ash and smoke during the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D. while rescuing people. Cheers to the scholar, historian, officer, writer, and Roman Naturalist- Pliny the Elder!
Snip credited to Russian River Website
I couldn’t imagine having this stuff at my fingertips when I wanted it. Given we have some great stuff around us in NYC (Ithaca – Flower Power wooo, Kane – Head High). I also would kill to get my hands on some younger. I need to make the trip out to RR for the release, or drive down to philly for the madness charity day they do at Monks
As you can see from the pic below, it pours a nice Golden color and has a pugnet fruity aroma mixed with the piney / floral tones that you get from your DIPA’s. Rolling right into a nice bitter citrusey taste balanced very well. Overall I can see why its rated so high and sought after. It’s drinkable and just has flavors that appeal to me(maybe not for everyone)!
without further ado… here she is:
