With the hope of returning to an on-premise release of Pliny the Younger at Russian River Brewing, the brewery has decided to postpone the official brewery release by eight weeks. Originally set for release at Russian River Brewing in Santa Rosa and Windsor, California on February 4, 2022, the Pliny the Younger release has now been pushed back to Friday, March 25, 2002, continuing through April 7, 2022. 
Pliny the Younger is a Triple IPA, simply meaning that it is higher in alcohol and has tons of hops. The alcohol usually finishes at about 10.25%, although it is remarkably dry for the amount of malt used in this recipe. It is loaded with hop flavors, bitterness, and aromatics. Pliny the Younger was brewed for the first time in 2005 as a winter seasonal beer, building upon the Pliny the Elder recipe while pushing the envelope with malt, hops, and alcohol just to see how far they could go! It is always brewed only once a year and released the first Friday in February, rain or shine…. or except during an ongoing pandemic.
With the spike in COVID cases from the Omnicron variant, the brewery has seen its own challenges in keeping its doors open due to its staff becoming sick. Earlier this month, Russian River Brewing had to close both locations due to a staffing shortage. It’s a challenge everywhere for breweries to keep their doors open.
In addition to the brewery’s internal crisis, on January 12th, Sonoma County issued a new health order banning large gatherings and asking residents to stay at home for the next 30 days. This new health order takes us well into our upcoming Pliny the Younger release. Therefore, Natalie and Vinnie Cilurzo, co-owners of Russian River Brewing decided it would be best to postpone the highly anticipated release of Pliny the Younger.
Barring any additional setbacks, the world’s most popular Triple IPA will see its Santa Rosa and Windsor release on draft and in bottles from March 25 – April 7, 2022. With many visitors traveling from afar, hopefully this is enough notice to alter your travel plans and to stay safe. According to the brewery, many of the recommended hotels have confirmed that its special Younger rates will be honored during the new dates.
For those of us not trekking to Sonoma County, draft distribution of Pliny the Younger is still on target to begin reaching the brewery’s wholesalers the week of February 7th. So, there is still a chance to drink Pliny the Younger at many of the brewery’s draft accounts in California, Oregon, Colorado and Philadelphia! Unfortunately bottles will not be available for distribution.
Stay informed with the latest details on Russian River Brewing’s website HERE!
About The Author
DJ
D.J. is a Portland, Oregon based writer that spent his formative years in the Midwest. With over 25 years under his belt of drinking beer at festivals across America and the world, he has developed a strong appreciation and understanding of craft beer and the industry that surrounds it. He can be found in any of the great breweries or beer bars that make Portland the best beer city in the world. His writing can also be found in the archives of Northwest Brewing News and can be followed on Twitter and Instagram at @hopapalooza.