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Russian River Pliny the Elder

Russian River Pliny the Elder

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 Percentile 
100
overall
An Imperial/Double IPA brewed by
Russian River Brewing

Santa Rosa, California USA

bottled
common

on tap
common

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 Ratings  Average  Score  ABV  Style Pctl  Serve in  Advanced 
6094.18/5.04.18/5.08%99.4Snifter, Tulip P  Stats

Commercial Description:
Pliny the Elder was a Roman naturalist, scholar, historian, traveler, officer, and writer. Although not considered his most important work, Pliny and his contemporaries created the botanical name for hops, "lupus Salictarius", meaning wolf among scrubs." Hops at that time grew wild among willows, much like a wolf in the forest. Later the current botanical name, humulus Lupulus, was adopted. Pliny died in 79 AD while observing the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. He was immortalized by his nephew, Pliny the Younger, who continued his uncle's legacy by documenting much of what he observed during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Pliny the Elder, the beer, is brewed with 40% more malt and over twice the amount of hops as compared to our already hoppy IPA.

Most RecentTop RatersHighest Ratings Who's Rated This?
 Mes_and_Sim (4476), Highgate, Greater London, England
4.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
10/104/59/104/518/20

Mar 11, 2007  
A Mes rate: Handbottled sample while at ZBF. A healthy serving was kindly poured into my glass by Mads. Yet another HUGE thank you sir. Jeeeeesus WHAT a smell. More than anything (superb quality of the rest of it aside) this is all about the smell. Imagine a perfect summers day and laying in a field filled with the most aromatic smells that summer has to offer. Pine, spruce and a full rack of even the most impressively stocked kitchens spice and herb rack. Was funny to watch the sheer glee on the face of every one who smelled this. My glass seemed to last a hell of a long time and I eventually realised it was because I was just sat there sniffing at it rather than drinking it. The flavour follows on where the aroma left off. It’s a full on hops fest. All the same stuff as the nose really but who are we to argue. Almost chewy in the body superbly balanced, herbacious, floral and as Mads noted a infinitely satisfying warming finish. Truely sublime on every level but that smell... it is clearly one of the best experiences a man could have. Almost a crime to drink it but hey, its just so tasty. I owe you one Mads.

KneeDeep (5), sdfsd, Tajikistan
does not count click to see why this rating of Russian River Pliny the Elder does not count
1.3 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
3/105/52/101/52/20
Oct 7, 2008  
Rather an unimpressive specemin unfortunately. This much overhyped brew is pleasing on the eye but lacks any real substance. With a particularly disappointing after-finish and comparatively weak punch it doesn’t get my vote at all I’m afraid. Weighing in at a measley 8% this causes the drinker to stay sober for longer that is mean’t to be and we all know that this is not a good thing (any self respecting Diamond White drinker should be well into a four way brawl with members of the law enforcement agencies before even three litres of this can even be consumed). Taste is also a letdown, it simply doesn’t go down well with a vindaloo or a big mac. Three thumbs down. Also has a shit name!


redbarista (36), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
4.4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/104/59/104/518/20
Oct 6, 2008  
Draught at Bella Vista Opening, Phila.: Wow-- this pushed me over the edge. A tremendously tasty, hazed over beer that just fills up your mouth and completely takes over. After two little tasters of it, I made the mistake of going for a whole pint as the party was breaking up. Definitely a powerful but oddly drinkable brew.


 BelgianBeerGal (974), Sabbatical in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
4.3 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/105/518/20
Oct 5, 2008  
Bottled. Phenomenal DIPA, unbelievably easy drinking for the type. Easily the sweetest hops I have ever tasted. Pours a hazy golden orange colour with a small white head and sticky lacing. Arom is ruby red grapefruit hops and mandarin oranges. I was expecting a hop punch in the teeth, but this was super smooth. Try this if at all possible. I can only imagine what it tastes like super fresh at the brewery.


 f351c4v (225), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
3.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/58/104/515/20
Oct 5, 2008  
On draught @ Toronado. Pours a clear golden color with a small white head. Great hop aroma, very crisp, but deep, complex, even some nuttiness to be found. Mildly sticky mouthfeel, body is crisp and refreshing. Not a violent hop assault, very well balanced and drinkable. Great beer.


 beerbill (1312), Laurel, New York, USA
4.3 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
10/104/58/104/517/20
Oct 5, 2008  
First of all, a huge thank you to dirty_martini for scoring me such a fresh bottle. 500 ml bottle dated 9/2/2008. Pours a slightly hazy gold with a large white head that lasted until the end of the glass and left thick coats of lace with each sip. The aroma of this beer is in a word, incredible. It took me four or five minutes to absorb and process everything my nose was receiving. Grapefruit, mango, peaches, and prickly pear cactus are all well represented. The flavor is malt up front, followed by bold pine and grapefruit. The finish is bitter but not astringent with some mild dryness as well. This is a thoroughly enjoyable beer. Thank you again, Larry!




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