Pliny The Elder - Russian River Brewing Company

gfthree7

California

4.55/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pliny the Elder finally makes it's way to Apple Valley, CA! At $10 per pint it's not cheap, but I can't pass up the opportunity to try one for the first time.

I've shared a couple Ellder Plinys with friends, but this time I have the whole pint to myself, poured into a chilled chalice.

The appearance is strikingly clear golden with a small bit of froth that disappears quickly. What a great looking clear beer! It doesn't have the thickness/haziness that many DIPAs, but mysteriously still packs a tremendous hoppy punch!

Pliny the Elder smells great, though there are some other DIPAs with a stronger smell, like Left Coast Hop Juice and Green Flash Imperial. Pine and citrus come through the nose here.

It tastes great! Getting better as I progress through the pint, this is probably the most balanced DIPA I've had. Don't let the clear appearance fool you, this is a championship DIPA. Mouthfeel is also great.

Elder Pliny is dangerously drinkable! Here in the High Desert/San Bernardino county area it's hard to find though, so I'll probably stick with Green Flash Imperial @ $5 per 22oz bomber for my DIPA fix.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2011 00:14:51 | More by gfthree7

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

lndsy

Texas

4.25/5  rDev -8.6%

05-17-2013 13:00:55 | More by lndsy

Kreko7

California

4.75/5  rDev +2.2%

05-17-2013 08:10:02 | More by Kreko7

g_jenkins

California

5/5  rDev +7.5%

05-17-2013 07:43:16 | More by g_jenkins

chossboss

Oregon

4.75/5  rDev +2.2%

05-17-2013 04:22:34 | More by chossboss

myersk27

Indiana

4.75/5  rDev +2.2%

05-17-2013 03:44:37 | More by myersk27

bigfatflounder

Wyoming

5/5  rDev +7.5%

05-17-2013 03:41:06 | More by bigfatflounder

ReddMoneyBrown

California

4.75/5  rDev +2.2%

05-17-2013 02:25:34 | More by ReddMoneyBrown

BillRoth

Maryland

4.75/5  rDev +2.2%

05-16-2013 22:29:57 | More by BillRoth

iamnitrox

Arizona

5/5  rDev +7.5%

05-16-2013 20:03:55 | More by iamnitrox

Cboat

California

5/5  rDev +7.5%

05-16-2013 17:34:51 | More by Cboat

BigbROB

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +2.2%

05-16-2013 17:25:41 | More by BigbROB