Russian River Pliny the Elder

Oh man, this was a dream beer for me. If you like big hoppy IPAs, figure out how to get yourself to the Sonoma Valley to try this one. Big and bold in all aspects. Hops create the syrupy sweetness and bold bitterness that has such a lovely grapefruit and pine blend that I could have died and gone to heaven. Next time I’m here I’ll order a big glass or a pitcher. The sampler was amazing, but I was left wanting more of this one in particular. The waiter mentioned that this was the first double IPA ever??!?

One hell of a birthday gift sent from a friend. Thanks!
Poured from a 10 day old growler. I was worried about it holding up and wanted to get to this promptly and was momentarily worried, when I got no PSSSTTT sound when opening the growler. Poured into a tulip and the head vigorously formed, regardless. Poured a clear, golden amber color with a rich, incredibly long lasting offwhite head that left huge chunks of frothy lacing. Smell was huge piney, fruity, grapefruity, citrusy hoppy deliciousness. Taste is incredibly smooth and clean. Citrusy fresh hops and a hint of a slighly syrupy body, but still just barely medium to full bodied. The drinkability on this was phenomenal and the alcohol was hidden perfectly. Flavor was a touch milder than expected but was still divine and went down like water. Great double IPA.

DLD in a growler brought by a guy from San Fransisco... Thanks man!!! Pours a clear golden with awhite head. Slightly bitter. Lots of hops, perfect profile. Medium to full bodied with a sticky mouthfeel. Also some soy sauce sensations. Also aromas of alcohol and residual sugars. Low carbonation. Bitter finish with a bit of plantsap.

A- Poured on tap at the brewpub. It is a beautiful deep golden color with a small head which sticks around until the bottom of the glass. S- Smells of oily piney hops with a distinct sweet maltiness in the background. T- Tastes of bitter piney hops with a good amount of sweet maltiness to balance it out. A bready doughy flavor is in the background. M- Thick with a lot of carbonation that gives you an awesome kick. Great mouthfeel to say the least D- For an 8 percent abv brew this went down extremely smooth. I drank it so fast in fact that I definitely was feeling the alcohol afterwards that I didn’t taste. All in all a great DIPA.

Wow...some nice guy had a growler of Pliny the Elder at Dark Lord Day. Poured amber with a nice white head. Great aroma. Incredibly bitter and very oily aftertaste. Very well done though, I wish I could get it in Illinois.