Russian River Pliny the Younger

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

So what do I say? Sessionable? No. Drinkable? I guess.... This is now the most offensive, bitter, chewy, abrasive, theoretical IPAs I’ve had, and I applaud the effort and hype. The aroma is intense and intimidating. The waft of alcohol is met and overcome with dry leafy hops, like I buried my face in the samples given during a brewery tour. Clear gold, nice fluffy head, but nothing abundant here. It’s all flavor. I’ve heard that you can’t discern above a certain IBU rating. Then how do you explain this? It’s like you soaked beer in hops and then pressed the pellets to get all of their oily goodness out. I love the high stimulation this insanely clean bitter beer brings. Never did I think this was astringent. But it made me question my comfort level. And I love that in a beer.

Hand bottled courtesy of iowaherkeye. Pours amber with medium white head. Aroma is pine, citrus, grapefruit, and tons of floral notes. I could sit and sniff this for quite awhile and be content. Slightly sweet and a tiny bit malty up front, but quickly changes over to hop dominanted. Finishes nicely bitter and pretty dry. It has an amazingly robust hop profile. Very drinkable for 11% ABV. Sweet nectar of life. Drinking this makes me want to move to Santa Rosa with Joey.

Amber colour with a white head. Caramel malty, peach, pine, hop aroma and taste. Medium to full body with a very dry hoppy finish. Vell balanced!

I’ll say it. this bear cant live up to the hype. Poured a deep and clear yellow. Fluffy white head that lasts the length of the beer. Smells of pine sol. Tastes just like Hop-15. Lots of piney hops, not much citrus, very sweet on the lips, but extremely bitter. I prefer dry and bitter, not sweet and bitter, but maybe this beer just isnt for me. Not that hot with alcohol, but will warm your cheeks a little. And left a less than pleasant earthy film on my tongue. I drank it all but never actually enjoyed it. I greatly prefer the Elder. This will make me sooo unpopular :)

Tasted this alongside the Older at Naja’s IPA fest. I have to admit that the Elder has a much more fragrant aroma, but the younger has a much more impressive body. Maybe the keg of Younger was an old one held back for the festival. Incredible, incredible flavor profile. Just exactly what hops are all about. BRavo!

Oh YEA!! This was all it was purported to be. had it on tap at Russian River last week. Poured (in a 10 oz. glass) to a brigjht orange-red color with good head and lacing. Strong nose of hoppy citrusy grapefruit hit me as the waitress approached. As I nursed it along, the 11% abv also became much more noticeable. Mouthfeel was very full and slightly tingly, and the taste was a very dominant bitter grapefruit blended perfectly with alcohol and a touch of malt to round things out. I sipped toward the finish, which was long, very smooth and warming. A GREAT beer.

Had on tap at Capone’s. Much like the elder, I just didn’t get the excitement over this. Was very bitter for me.

Aroma is huge hops, grapefruit, citrus and orange. What an amazing aroma. Taste is big and hoppy. Grapefruit, citrus and a hint of pine hops. Smooth and sweet. As much hops that are here it is not overpowering. Delicious.