Russian River Pliny the Younger

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

On tap at Naja’s Place in Redondo Beach, CA. I had been fiending for this one for some time now, and finally got a chance to try. This beer starts with an extreme pine aroma coming from the golden liquid in the glass. There is not much malt to detect in the aroma. Flavor is hops, hops, hops. First some tropical fruit, then some grapefruit, and finally some pine. The hops are not balanced by a ton of malt, but I have no problem with that. The body is not too full, and if this wasnt a well hidden 11 % ale, it would be easy to drink quite a few of these. This beer definitley lived up to its hype.

Big thanks to Stoutlover72 for hooking the C-bus crew up! One of the best citrus aroma’s I’ve ever smelled in a beer.Pours a medium gold with a light off white head.Big citrus hops and a great malt balance.Full mouthfeel with a big, very well balanced finish.

I owe Stoutlover72 big time for this beer, thanks Garrett! Great citrus hop aroma really keeps you sniffing the beer for quite some time--just a hint of alcohol is detectable. Gorgeous golden color sparkles in the light. The palate is incredibly full for an IIPA, and is carbonated to perfection. Great balance in flavor! Lovely citrus and piney hop flavors come at you quickly and are held in place by a good dose of caramel malt. This has such a full flavor! Easy to drink despite everything that’s happening--one of the best IIPA’s I’ve had to date.

Shared at C-Bus. Thanks to MoeJuck and Spector!!! The nose of this beer was outstanding. Lots and lots of citrus and grapefruits, pine, and just really dank hops. The taste is very clean and smooth with a little malt coming through mixed in nice with the intense hops. The alcohol is not really too present with this beer at all for being 11%. One of my favorite iipas for sure!!!

Hand Bottle shared by moejuck at C-Bus 6: Clear orange/gold in color with a white head. Aroma, pine, grapefruits, some citrus, a bit of alcohol and some orange. Flavor, some slight caramel up front, loads of citrus and piny. A touch of heat. Incredibly bitter, dripping with juicy hop notes. Some resinous qualities as well. Fantastic beer, I can only imagine what this is like fresh on tap. It would probably dethrone fresh Dreadnaught for me.

Appearance & big aroma that is very similar to Pliny the Elder - medium golden color - sweet, perfumy aroma with citrus & pine/spruce hops. Flavor is pretty heavy and sweet - big malt backbone and bold hop bitterness. Finish is a little prickly and warming with the alcohol. Quite good, but not quite on the level of the Elder.

I like this one alot, because I love hoppy bears. I tried the younger as well as the elder at O’briens in San Diego. I preferred the younger. The aroma was full of citrus an dhops. Watch out for this one, the alcohol will sneak up on you.

Tap at the Drafting Room. Slightly hazy amber/orange. Aroma is grapefruit, tropical fruit, pine and other oily hops. a bit of caramel/sugar sweetness. Nicely bitter ending. No alcohol taste. Quite simply amazing.