Russian River Pliny the Elder

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

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.)

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!

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.

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!

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...

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.

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.

a mutha fuckin california classic. a litre or 2 of this will getcha shit right. F-R-E-S-H!