Beer lovers know that when February arrives love is in the air.
But this isn’t romantic love, this is all about the love of beer because this is the time of year when Russian River Brewing in Santa Rosa releases its widely popular and highly sought after limited release of Pliny the Younger at local bars, pubs and breweries.
The triple IPA, which has been brewed once a year since 2005, comes in at 10.25% alcohol by volume and is released only at the Russian River Brewing’s Santa Rosa and Windsor locations.
This year’s release is set for March 24 to April 6 and that’s when hundreds of Pliny fans are expected to line up for hours to get the coveted IPA.
“We’re just so grateful that even after all these years people are still so excited about Pliny the Younger, especially with so many new trendy beers out now, but people still love our beer,” said Natalie Cilurzo who co-owns the brewery with her husband, Vinnie.
While many take the pilgrimage to Santa Rosa, the beer is released here in Southern California in kegs in very limited amounts at a few selected bars, pubs and breweries, with each spot maybe getting a keg or two to distribute locally before supplies run out until next year.
“We have a lot of old-time accounts along the L.A. and Orange County and Southern California area that have supported us for decades and continue to support us and those are the accounts that will get Pliny the Younger,” she said.
“A lot of accounts keep it on the down-low too because they don’t want hordes of people coming,” she added with a laugh.
So is it worth all the hype?
Yep, says beer expert Gary Magnone, the founder of Hopped, a website that’s all about local beer and breweries that also lists some of the local spots pouring the beer.
“It came out a while back before beers like that were commonplace,” he said. “Nowadays local breweries are making triple IPAs that are smooth and flavorful, but this one is still at the top of its game. You…
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