Pliny The Elder - Russian River Brewing Company

lordofstarside

Nevada

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

First of four growlers filled at the Russian River brew pub yesterday to a pint glass

Pours a clear dark gold with a finger and a half of foam with great retention. moderate carbonation, great lacing. A great looking beer

Aroma of strong hops, strong grapefruit, pine, tropical fruits, and citrus. Alcohol is well concealed, good example of how a double ipa should smell

Taste follows the smell quite well. Strong hops, pine, grapefruit, lemon, which a finish of malt and alcohol. Very bitter up front, ending with a sweetness from the malt. Everything blends well and nicely represented.

Feel is also consistent, with the all the flavors and feelings rolling from the tip of the tongue back to the very end. Carbonation leaves a nice biting tingle as you hold it in your mouth. Nice and dry finish, leaving your mouth sticky and wanting more.

So is it worth all the hype? It'd depend on the style you frequent most, with this being the godfather of the double ipas. Though I find my nine hour pilgrimage every couple months to be worth it, friends and family who aren't too into beer say it's simply "alright," which honestly is probably the best you can hear from someone who hasn't developed a palate for dipas or craft beer in general. All in all there's a reason it's the #5 top all time beer, if you drink a lot of ipas this is probably the biggest 'must try' on your bucket list.

Serving type: growler

10-21-2012 00:31:08 | More by lordofstarside

AdamP

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev -3.2%

05-24-2013 02:10:47 | More by AdamP

Jeremy_H

Illinois

5/5  rDev +7.5%

05-24-2013 01:48:49 | More by Jeremy_H

Michael_20P

California

5/5  rDev +7.5%

05-23-2013 23:05:31 | More by Michael_20P

not_rare_enough

Texas

5/5  rDev +7.5%

05-23-2013 20:31:47 | More by not_rare_enough

ChrisMetcalfe

South Carolina

5/5  rDev +7.5%

05-23-2013 18:44:39 | More by ChrisMetcalfe

calvinkirk23

California

5/5  rDev +7.5%

05-23-2013 18:27:29 | More by calvinkirk23

visionaries

California

4.5/5  rDev -3.2%

05-23-2013 17:46:11 | More by visionaries

stanowsf

Connecticut

5/5  rDev +7.5%

05-23-2013 17:45:31 | More by stanowsf

pk18

Wisconsin

4.5/5  rDev -3.2%

05-23-2013 17:38:32 | More by pk18

Myst

District of Columbia

4.75/5  rDev +2.2%

05-23-2013 05:02:32 | More by Myst

Benish

Wisconsin

4.99/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Man this is good! Just opened my first bottle and it's pretty fresh; bottled 5/09/13.I don't know if this is a good analogy but opening the bottle is like letting the Genie out the lamp. It's insanely floral and sweet just smelling from the tip of bottle. Kind of like opening a BRAND NEW canister of Folgers ground coffee in the morning.

In a glass, the beer presented a very light amber color. Very clear and transparent. Honestly, I am paying less attention to appearance and more attention to smell and flavor.

I taste a lot of floral notes, some kiwi, citrus, and pine. It's is amped up in flavor. It almost makes your tongue tingle! I have not tried that many Double IPA's but if there is one DIPA it compares to, it's Sosus from Toppling Goliath. I think both are equally good. But because Sosus is extremely limited (might have been made only once), I'm more than glad that Pliny is available!

The flavor is very balanced. It's both bitter and sweet. Neither side is overpowering. The beer is extremely drinkable. I'm savoring it but I can see why someone would say it doesn't take long to finish a pint. I'm very happy to be getting some more next month!

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2013 02:54:54 | More by Benish

alysmith4

District of Columbia

4/5  rDev -14%

05-22-2013 23:05:56 | More by alysmith4

KANE3

California

4.75/5  rDev +2.2%

05-22-2013 21:24:13 | More by KANE3

wogreen

Arkansas

4.75/5  rDev +2.2%

05-22-2013 18:10:05 | More by wogreen

melleblond

Connecticut

5/5  rDev +7.5%

05-22-2013 17:17:30 | More by melleblond

Justinsosmart

California

5/5  rDev +7.5%

05-21-2013 22:09:32 | More by Justinsosmart

DanH83

New York

4.3/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Well, thanks to a fantastic Cali BA, I've just had my first Pliny. Poured into a tulip, tall head, lingers a bit. It's hoppy and smooth. Very balanced and drinkable, doesn't overwhelm the palate. It's not the hop bomb I was expecting, for better or worse. Not the best or hoppy-est, but better than any other IIPA...except one...

Pliny is fantastic! However, it is no Heady Topper.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 22:00:29 | More by DanH83

aleman39

California

4.5/5  rDev -3.2%

05-21-2013 21:16:26 | More by aleman39

Beerandboards

New Mexico

4.75/5  rDev +2.2%

05-21-2013 19:01:37 | More by Beerandboards

pauldevay

Texas

4.75/5  rDev +2.2%

05-21-2013 18:32:40 | More by pauldevay

Busker

Connecticut

5/5  rDev +7.5%

05-21-2013 17:55:13 | More by Busker

jakecattleco

California

4.75/5  rDev +2.2%

05-21-2013 17:53:51 | More by jakecattleco

CosmoHopHead

Kansas

5/5  rDev +7.5%

05-21-2013 03:59:13 | More by CosmoHopHead

ackeeper

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev -8.6%

05-21-2013 01:43:02 | More by ackeeper