Tasting Notes

The aroma leads with assertive piney resin and grapefruit pith, backed by a clean floral note that keeps it from smelling one-dimensional. On the palate, the bitterness is firm and sustained but never harsh, layered over a malt backbone substantial enough to provide balance without sweetness getting in the way. The body is medium-full, with enough weight to carry the hop load. The finish is dry and long, with resinous bitterness that lingers well past the last sip.

About the Brewery

Russian River is based in Santa Rosa, California, with a second location in Windsor, and has been operating since the early 2000s after founder Vinnie Cilurzo bought the brand from Korbel. The brewery built its national reputation on hop-forward beers and its barrel-aging program, and it remains one of the most influential craft breweries in the country. Its limited-release Pliny the Younger draws annual lines that stretch around the block.

Food Pairings

Sharp, aged cheddar works well because the fat and funk absorb the bitterness without competing with it. Spicy dishes like Thai green curry find a counterpoint in the resinous hops, which cut through chile heat rather than amplifying it. Grilled or smoked sausage benefits from the beer's dryness cleaning the palate between bites. A burger with caramelized onions mirrors the malt backbone while letting the hops do the lifting on flavor contrast.

Style Guide

American Double or Imperial IPA is essentially a bigger, more aggressive version of the American IPA — more hops, more malt to balance them, and an ABV that typically runs from around 7.5% to 10%. The style emerged from American craft brewing in the late 1990s and early 2000s, with Pliny the Elder itself often cited as a foundational example. Where a standard IPA aims for balance at moderate strength, the Double IPA leans into intensity, prioritizing hop aroma and bitterness at a scale that requires noticeably more malt structure to hold together.