Russian River Pliny the Younger

Brewed by Russian River Brewing
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
Santa Rosa, California USA

On tap. Feels great to finally have had this one. Color was amber with a big off white head. Aroma of citrus, grapefruit and flowers. Just bursting with aroma. Flavor was really nice as well and it was insanely easy to drink despite the style and abv. Citrus, pine, caramel, with something akin to mesquite-ish wood. Great stuff.

Handbottle. Aroma of peach, pineapple, grass, mango, generally tropical, pine kicks in as it warms, and always sweet malt there too, seemingly also throwing in some similarly citrusy esters, but really, it’s hard for me to say what notes are the hops versus the esters here. Big, in any case. Flavor resinous, extremely bitter, despite the huge malt that tries so hard to balance it out. I must say it’s a bit on the hot side, but there’s so much else here that I’m more noting than complaining. Though based on this handbottle sample I’d say I prefer the Elder, who really cares with a 4.3 score.

Handbottle courtesy of iowaherkeye (thanks Joey!!!). Pours a clear orange with a small white head. Aroma of citrus, garlicky, grassy hops and sweat. Flavor is quite malty AND hoppy. Light citrus dominates as the beer warms. A very full palate, perhaps a touch on the heavy side, but very enjoyable. Super smooth for such a strong IIPA and super balanced for what it is. I’m really glad I got to try this! 8/4/8/4/16 (4.0/5)

Got to try this on tap at Capone’s. Pours orange with a thick white head. Aroma of nice hop oils and crackery malt. Flavor is quite malty with a sweet finish. A bit heavy and harsh at times and not as citrusy as the growler version I had. Certainly not as citrusy as Elder. Second time around I was less impressed by this one. It is a heavy IIPA and at times overbearing. Fun to try, but I think I’m done seeking out this one. 8/4/8/4/15 (3.9/5)

Man, another crazy rare beer shared by the Indy Crew at FootSex. Thanks, bros!!! Been wanting to try the Younger for a while and it certainly lives up to expectations. Blam! Nice glowing pour of dark orange, with a stick head. Extremely dank aroma, almost daring you to dive into the nicely sticky beer. Piney and resinous, just as you’d want, with malt balance perfectly achieved. Without wanting to shift philosophical categories too much, perhaps the Platonic form of a DIPA?

Oh man I’m actually reviewing PTY after waiting all year to try this stuff. I thought the day would never come. So did it live up to the hype? In a word, yes. This is a sweet hoppy nectar of the gods. It really just doesn’t get much better than this. Had it on tap at Toronado in SF. Golden amber color with a nice white head. Really piney and floral hoppy aroma with sweet caramel malt. Flavor is a piney hop explosion with a huge backbone of sweet malt to balance perfectly. Syrupy mouthfeel, alcohol hides itself well for an 11-percenter.

Resin, earth, malt, toast and grapefruit nose. Medium body, light orange color. Caramel, toast, orange and grapefruit flavor. Finishes smooth, not too bitter. This beer hides its warmth quite well.

Bistro DIPA Fest. Pours golden amber, floral, caramel, hoppy, malty, citrus, spice.

Thanks to Bobby91w for the handbottle. Hazy bright yellow pour with a fluffy white head. Pungent resinous citrus nose. Excellent hop profile flavor dominated by tropical fruit and sweet malts. Extremely well balanced