Pliny The Younger - Russian River Brewing Company

jampics2

Ohio

5/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Review #200.

Something I never thought I'd get to try. Big HUGE thanks to Chad for the growler. Huge appreciation and beer karma headed your way! Thanks buddy!!

My inner hop head is mad at me. It's like he showed me this really cool club, vouched for me at the door, and introduced me to everyone. But now a days, I'm too busy hanging out with the Stouts and Wilds to even wave when I see him out. After this experience, I remember how much fun things used to be and I promise to spend more time and effort on the types of beer than got me into craft in the first place.

Which brings us to the actual review. A beautiful growler served cold, poured into open mouth tasting glasses.

Liquid gold in color, small white film of a head.

Smell is amazing. Hops rule this roost - citrus (grapefruit, orange, pineapple) and a touch of mint and alcohol. I could smell this all day; wow is this making my mouth water!

Best hoppy taste ever. A citrus punch in the face - earthy, peachy, pine, grapefruit - fades into a bitter lingering taste that is surprisingly NOT devastating but does score a significant blow on the palette. But the finesse between the hops and linger, and the levels of explosive flavor make this the best hoppy tasting beer I've had. Extreme and refined all in one - a brilliant tight-rope walk.

Mouthfeel was surprising on this one. It had appropriate lack of density and thin viscosity for the style but also felt significant. The carb was perfect and felt sharp when it needed to and creamy when it needed to.

Drinkability - OK, if this is 11%, Vinny is a magician. One sip begs for another. Almost sessionable in its appeal and how quickly the glasses disappear.

After 200 ratings, I guess I'm one of those who aren't afraid to award 5's (in fact, one other beer got a perfect score across the board from me). But this is one of the best 2 beers I've ever had and certainly the best DIPA on the planet. We sat around after a pour and discussed - what could be this beer's flaw. Sure it's strong, but a DIPA should be. It's just so well crafted and the appearance, smell, and taste are so spot-on that it deserves to be rewarded. I'm sure our paths will cross again, Younger!

Cheers and here's to the next 200!

Serving type: growler

02-16-2010 15:36:30 | More by jampics2

peteh2112

Colorado

4/5  rDev -15.1%

06-17-2013 02:42:27 | More by peteh2112

bird22

California

4.75/5  rDev +0.8%

06-16-2013 19:51:40 | More by bird22

ACB

California

4.5/5  rDev -4.5%

06-14-2013 21:39:39 | More by ACB

striker2160

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev -4.5%

06-14-2013 00:00:44 | More by striker2160

djre4orm

Virginia

5/5  rDev +6.2%

06-13-2013 18:19:13 | More by djre4orm

Alduya

California

5/5  rDev +6.2%

06-12-2013 21:33:40 | More by Alduya

JRO

Wisconsin

4.98/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This beer is one of the few that is worth the hype. Had it on a sample flight that included Row-two, Blind Pig, The Elder, and The Younger: all exceptional beers, but the Younger sort of blew them away compared side to side.
Incredible aroma, so smooth and well balanced....really hard to believe this is an 11% beer. Can't really say anything bad about it. If you get a chance, it's worth the wait.

Serving type: on-tap

06-11-2013 17:39:19 | More by JRO

sarge27

California

4.75/5  rDev +0.8%

06-11-2013 04:47:09 | More by sarge27

dhbiker0889

Colorado

4/5  rDev -15.1%

06-10-2013 19:44:05 | More by dhbiker0889

chase2634

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev -4.5%

06-09-2013 14:04:58 | More by chase2634

HoppyLuckyGoGo

California

4.75/5  rDev +0.8%

06-06-2013 18:02:28 | More by HoppyLuckyGoGo

michaellcoates

Ohio

5/5  rDev +6.2%

06-06-2013 03:04:07 | More by michaellcoates

Dabeel

California

4.25/5  rDev -9.8%

06-05-2013 19:45:39 | More by Dabeel

MattAnderson99

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +0.8%

06-05-2013 14:46:23 | More by MattAnderson99

DarrenStory

Oregon

5/5  rDev +6.2%

06-05-2013 03:09:38 | More by DarrenStory

JustinFrey

Oregon

4.5/5  rDev -4.5%

06-05-2013 02:04:07 | More by JustinFrey

mxchap

California

4.5/5  rDev -4.5%

06-04-2013 22:05:58 | More by mxchap

Whatdyisit

California

5/5  rDev +6.2%

06-04-2013 21:56:05 | More by Whatdyisit

epmonster

California

4.5/5  rDev -4.5%

06-04-2013 05:01:30 | More by epmonster

pugartheterrible

California

4.75/5  rDev +0.8%

06-03-2013 09:08:45 | More by pugartheterrible

itsiilegal

California

4.5/5  rDev -4.5%

06-03-2013 02:34:40 | More by itsiilegal

IHeartE30s

Oregon

4.05/5  rDev -14%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

The release of the Younger the last two years was fun; waiting in line with good friends, bars having special food and "IPA tap takeover." That was the highlights though, the Younger is good but I wouldnt wait for it alone especially at 6$ for 4oz's.

It has a lot of complexity and doesnt have that west cost IBU BOOM but it just wasnt for me. At the bar we went to this last year they had plenty of other IPA's I enjoyed more, some of which were very rare in California, like Sculpin Habenaro IPA and Dogfish 120minute on TAP! If it were something readily available like the Elder I could see myself buying it every now and then but I probably wont be waiting in the long lines for a taster any more.

I'd say, its definitely worth a try and find a pub that has an event for the tapping. I wouldnt rank it in the top 25 though.

Serving type: on-tap

06-01-2013 23:43:02 | More by IHeartE30s

Daniel101

California

5/5  rDev +6.2%

05-31-2013 21:27:07 | More by Daniel101

Paccamacca

California

5/5  rDev +6.2%

05-29-2013 23:28:14 | More by Paccamacca