Pliny The Elder - Russian River Brewing Company

DrDoitchbig

Michigan

4.93/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

It's finally time for me to sample my first bottle of Pliny. Bottled 4/23, thanks to a very generous trader!

Appearance: Poured a few shades darker than honey, with glimpses of orange and red. The head was off-white and looked quite creamy. It started out at around two fingers, it dissipated within a few minutes there was enough left for some generous lacing to be had. It seems to share the odd quality of it's little brother Blind Pig. Both of them just seem to glow in the right lighting.

Smell: Wow. This is just phenomenal. It's just so lush, juicy and fruity. Tropical fruits come to mind, mango and pineapple specifically. There's also a big kick of grapefruit. Some flowery pine hangs around in the background. If I said I was picking up any malt here, I'd be lying. My novice nose can't get past the wondrous hop explosion.

Taste: Every damn bit as good as the aroma. It might be even stronger. All the tropical fruits are here and I do believe they are even bigger than the smell. The grapefruit is huge and nearly as strong as the tropical fruit punch orgy. I said it before a moment ago, but really I just can't get over how juicy this is. Past that there is some subdued pine along with some grassy tones. I can pick up on the malts in the taste, they're far in the background providing a bit of sweetness. But I can't quite compare them to anything specific.

Mouthfeel: The body is perfect for the style. The carbonation is just right where I want it to be, it's got a nice crisp finish. Awesome creaminess with a bit of slick, resinous jag in there also.

Drinkability: I could drink pints of this stuff until I can't see straight. This is exactly the kind of DIPA that I seek out. I love the tropical and grapefruit vibes and this has them in droves. It's not a palate wrecker either. Just delicious and refreshing.

Overall I do believe I've found my new favorite DIPA. I can't even imagine what it would be like to be able to stroll into my local beer shop and find this on the shelves. If I could do that I'd certainly pick up a couple bottles on every trip. I'm always skeptical about these hyped beers, but this one has earned every bit of it's spot in the Top 10.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2010 05:32:03 | More by DrDoitchbig

duobob

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev -3.2%

05-20-2013 05:09:08 | More by duobob

JReites

Florida

4.75/5  rDev +2.2%

05-20-2013 03:34:14 | More by JReites

UHCougar12

Texas

4.5/5  rDev -3.2%

05-20-2013 02:58:16 | More by UHCougar12

BtownIrish20

Indiana

5/5  rDev +7.5%

05-20-2013 02:18:53 | More by BtownIrish20

Ctrauty

Minnesota

4.75/5  rDev +2.2%

05-20-2013 01:25:31 | More by Ctrauty

jloomis

Florida

4.5/5  rDev -3.2%

05-20-2013 00:22:35 | More by jloomis

IPAFan521

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +2.2%

05-19-2013 23:33:00 | More by IPAFan521

taveerin

California

5/5  rDev +7.5%

05-19-2013 23:25:49 | More by taveerin

MockY

California

4.25/5  rDev -8.6%

05-19-2013 22:04:12 | More by MockY

TreeBeard

Ohio

4/5  rDev -14%

05-19-2013 20:35:13 | More by TreeBeard

Heady978

Massachusetts

4.16/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

Finally got two bottles in mail bottled on 5/9/13 and consumed 5/16/13. Delicious and quintessential, but no way is it even close to Heady Topper, its East coast rival. I have no idea how anyone who has consumed Heady fresh can possibly prefer Pliny. It's essentially a DIPA for non- hopheads who can't handle real hop bombs. Great beer, but not worth the hype and effort to get your hands on it.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 20:08:50 | More by Heady978

Dyelawn

Maine

4.5/5  rDev -3.2%

05-19-2013 19:10:32 | More by Dyelawn

zackb

Oregon

5/5  rDev +7.5%

05-19-2013 15:53:26 | More by zackb

MJSJr

Ohio

5/5  rDev +7.5%

05-19-2013 15:05:25 | More by MJSJr

ShawnMH

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev -8.6%

05-19-2013 14:52:49 | More by ShawnMH

jakeox

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev -8.6%

05-19-2013 00:13:52 | More by jakeox

alanv

California

5/5  rDev +7.5%

05-18-2013 21:22:39 | More by alanv

Petela

New Jersey

4.75/5  rDev +2.2%

05-18-2013 16:50:16 | More by Petela

eyeenjoybeer

Indiana

4.5/5  rDev -3.2%

05-18-2013 16:42:30 | More by eyeenjoybeer

MNishCT77

District of Columbia

4.24/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

17.25 oz. bottle purchased at Ales Unlimited (gotta ask for it!) in San Francisco, CA, bottled on 5/9/13, poured into a hotel style glass and drank over ~30 minutes. Of note, I drank this back-to-back with RR's Blind Pig IPA, so feel free to see that review for comparisons.

A: 4.75 - straw yellow coloration, less hop haze than Bling Pig (could read blurrily through this one), white half-finger head subdues into subtle glass lacing, moderate alcohol legs for a 8% beer

S: 4.25 - after drinking Bind Pig, I was expecting an even bigger hop bomb, and, unfortunately, I liked the hop aroma on Blind Pig much better; nevertheless, there are similar notes: tropical fruit (mango, papaya), pine, resiny, dank with more alcohol in the background

T: 4 - again, less impressed than Blind Pig; on the front of the tongue, there is a moderate pleasant bitterness that subdues pretty quickly into pine, dank notes with a lingering appreciation; I definitely get more booze in the taste than many other DIPAs, which is surprising considering the relatively low ABV for style; yet, it's dry with a balanced biscuity breadiness that I like very much

M: 4.5 - best aspect of the beer, I think; less carbonation than Blind Pig but bigger and chewier; would go well with a nice cigar

O: 4.5 - I think that this is the third time that I've tried this beer, and unfortunately, it doesn't live up the hype for me; there are not enough hops in this one to warrant world-class status for style; I had older batches in the past but this was only bottled about two weeks ago! Anyway, I would consider this more of a single IPA anyway, and it's definitely excellent for that style; I wonder if this is one of those beers that were really great 5-10 years ago, but, now, there are much better examples

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 01:23:23 | More by MNishCT77

GuzzLah

Illinois

4.48/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

A - pours a clear gold with a standard white head. Some lace. Light bubbles.

S - big orange and grapefruit, moderate pine, mild caramel malt and faint floral.

T - is just like the aroma. Juicy, citrusy Centennial and a relatively reserved, piney Simcoe. Excellent balance for the style and really smooth for a highly hopped beer.

M - medium body. Dry for the style. Creamy. Firm bitterness, but very pleasant with a long sustain.

O - a highly rated beer that deserves all the praise it receives. I'm not a fan of sweet DIPAs and this one is far from sweet and not too dry. It's certainly a hoppy beer, but it doesn't destroy your palate. Fantastic beer!

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 22:47:48 | More by GuzzLah

darvinlikemarvin

Iowa

4.5/5  rDev -3.2%

05-17-2013 18:29:29 | More by darvinlikemarvin

eliz108

Wisconsin

5/5  rDev +7.5%

05-17-2013 14:38:06 | More by eliz108

jsmith6051

California

5/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This is definitely one of the best tasting IPAs I have ever had. I wouldn't recommend drinking this first and then following it up with another IPA. The second IPA wouldn't taste right. If you can get your hands on a bottle I wouldn't think twice to get it.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 14:02:45 | More by jsmith6051