Russian River Brewing Company celebrates 20 years of Pliny the Younger

The release of Russian River Brewing Company's most acclaimed ale came late this year, but the lines remained.

photo credit: Noah Abrams/KRCB
The line for the tap release of Pliny the Younger stretching down the block towards
D Street from Russian River Brewing Company's tap room on 4th Street in downtown
Santa Rosa on Friday, March 22nd, 2024.

The rush for one of Sonoma County’s most renowned beer has begun.

It wasn’t exactly a loud or rowdy line on 4th Street in Downtown Santa Rosa - chalk it up to the fact those waiting hadn’t yet had their beer.

But it certainly started with a long line - half a city block long - for this year’s first pints of Russian River Brewing Company’s coveted Pliny the Younger.

As is customary for the release of the acclaimed India pale ale, patrons flocked from far and wide, and some waiting in line, like Chris, who asked only to share their first name, found their way thanks to happenstance.

"I actually live out in Minnesota," He said. "So I came out to visit...and realized it was during the release time, so here we are."

This year is the 20th anniversary release of Pliny the Younger, named after the Ancient Roman statesman who was witness to the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in the year 79.

In the year 2024, a number of Covid cases amongst Russian River’s staff postponed their usual February release of the limited run triple IPA.

For some, like Santa Rosa’s Henry Heinz, the delay was a blessing.

"I'm in town from school up in Washington," Heinz said. "Last day of Spring Break aligned perfectly."

Heinz said he’s happy to take part in a Sonoma County tradition.

"I've been watching my parents come, parent's friends, everyone in Santa Rosa come here since I was like five," Heinz said. "And this is the first year I've been, been allowed to come and experience it for myself and it's living up to it so far."

The tap release of Pliny the Younger runs from March 22nd through April 4th.