RateBeer

Russian River Pliny the Elder

Percentile
100
overall

bottled
common

on tap
common

Broad Distribution
Find this beer

Add Distribution Data
send corrections | shelftag |
RatingsAverageScoreABVStyle PctlServe in
10474.23/5.04.22/5.08%99.6Snifter, Tulip
Commercial Description:
Pliny the Elder was a Roman naturalist, scholar, historian, traveler, officer, and writer. Although not considered his most important work, Pliny and his contemporaries created the botanical name for hops, "lupus Salictarius", meaning wolf among scrubs." Hops at that time grew wild among willows, much like a wolf in the forest. Later the current botanical name, humulus Lupulus, was adopted. Pliny died in 79 AD while observing the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. He was immortalized by his nephew, Pliny the Younger, who continued his uncle's legacy by documenting much of what he observed during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Pliny the Elder, the beer, is brewed with 40% more malt and over twice the amount of hops as compared to our already hoppy IPA.
 Most Recent Top Raters Highest Ratings Who's Rated This?  
ManvsCity (93), Redmond, Washington, USA
4.4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/105/59/105/518/20
Aug 26, 2009  
Bottle dated 7/20/09 from Pete’s of Bellevue, who sell only one bottle per customer, WTF? A couple of weeks older than reccommended, but hey, better than none. Transluscent amber body with a thin, but persistant white head and marvelous lacing. Rich malt takes a back seat to the perfectly orchestrated blend of citriusy hops. There’s a real snap to the taste, and an overall refreshing character that impresses time after time. One of the three Imperial IPAs I would call for if stranded on a desert island. (RR Pliny the Elder, HOTD Blue Dot, & AleSmith Summer YuleSmith.)


 hobbersr (393), Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
4.4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
10/104/59/104/517/20
Aug 26, 2009  
Bottle shared with savvy1982 on August 24, the 1930th anniversary of the Mount Vesuvius eruption. Thanks Kyle! Pours a golden yellow with a nice white head that laces in sheets. The aroma is PINE... Wow, it’s like being in the forrest. Resin, pine, honey, caramel, soft fruit, did I say pine, herbs, juniper, spruce and PINE. Damn that smells great. The taste is not as intense as the aroma... But is still great. It tastes like taking all the elements of the forest, putting them in a blender and making a delicious coniferous smoothie. Earth, juniper, spruce, pine, resin, honey, grapefruit, lemon, soft fruit and a little caramel. Nice mouth feel. Absolutely fantastic stuff!


 timsilvia32 (446), from Michigan now in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
3.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/57/103/517/20
Aug 25, 2009  
Received in trade from nomomentwasted, 2 weeks old not bad at all, especially since 5 of those days were spent in transit. Golden/orange pour, substantial white head. Sticks to the side pretty well as well. Is that a Christmas tree I smell? With a fruit basket under it. Surprising amount of malt characteristics. Citrus fruits, especially grapefruit and herbal piney hops. The hops really stay in control though, which seems so hard to find these days with all the hop nukes around. Really doesn’t linger much in the throat, but you know you drank it, especially if you feel the need to belch. Wow is this a great balanced DIPA and the alcohol being just a hint lower is nice to. Can easily drink a whole bottle by ones self. Had little 2 oz. tastings before, but this is the first substantial quantity I’ve had and it does not disappoint.


budallpro (18), , Missouri, USA
4.4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/104/59/104/518/20
Aug 24, 2009  
Bottle poured clear blond-bronze colour with a little white foam. Very hoppy aroma, Resiney, pine needles, cheese and grapefruit; good malt body, clean palate. Very bitter and a long lasting fruity bitterness. Very robust but never aggressive, more lingering resiney notes - a GREAT beer!


 MrBunn (1525), Western, Pennsylvania, USA
4.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
10/104/59/105/518/20
Aug 23, 2009  
Bottle with huge thanks to coyotehunter. Pours a clearish golden orange with a large head. Aromas are spectacular... a simply amazing mix of spruce, pine, resin and fruits like mangos and peaches. Flavor is similarly impressive. There is a lovely mix of the hops (similar tastes to aromas) with malty sweetness that is reminiscent of honey buns or something like that. Neither one is too out of control and the alcohol is detectable, but fits in nicely. World class...


 ChristianScheffel (4481), Odense, Denmark
3.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/58/104/516/20
Aug 23, 2009  
Slightly hazy orange with a lasting off-white head. Big hoppy aroma of pine and peach, with some alcohol noticed. Bitter and quite fruity flavour with wooden and pine hop notes. Complex and very well balanced for a very bitter beer.


 mcc5468 (103), USA
4.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/59/104/518/20
Aug 21, 2009  
I was prepared for a "man vs beer" moment for this one as I had read that it was one of the best DIPAs out there. Had it on tap at the Taphouse in Seattle. Aroma was citrus hops. Head was medium. I would call it pretty well carbonated. The alcohol was well hidden. The taste was definitely an IPA to the point that I would call it hoppy on the IPA side rather than a DIPA. Pretty damn good. Definitely citrus hops. A really good IPA with the alcohol of a DIPA. Nicely done.


 wavers1 (129), novato, California, USA
4.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/104/59/105/518/20
Aug 20, 2009  
a mutha fuckin california classic. a litre or 2 of this will getcha shit right. F-R-E-S-H!



CONSIDER FREE RATEBEER MEMBERSHIP



Join us! RateBeer is made by beer enthusiasts for the craft beer community. Your basic membership is free and allows you to read all beer ratings. Click here to create your account... and give your opinion!

SIGN UP NOW »

View Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105


About RateBeer | Add A Beer | Log In | Edit Personal Info | 100 Beer Club | FAQ | Feedback?
Copyright © 2000-2009, RateBeer LLC