Russian River Brewing Company

DocJitsu

California

4.33/5  rDev -2.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

Was there during Pliny the Younger 2012. So we'd waited nearly 4 1/2 hours in line. I was in good company and the other line waiters were patient and sociable, so the wait wasn't so bad. The beer was great, but the experience superior. Staff were patient and accommodating. Fun, rustic, yet international atmosphere. Loved being there. Santa Rosa is such a quaint little redwood-type mountain-feel town. I want to go back during a less busy time and sit there all day enjoying their wonderful libations. I only wish that Younger was available year round. But, who doesn't?

04-14-2012 23:28:24 | More by DocJitsu

jlee922

California

4.41/5  rDev -0.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.75 | selection: 5 | food: 4.25 | $

Stopped by for dinner during a family trip to Sonoma. I wasn't sure how kid-friendly this place would be, but I had two hungry kids, ages 4 and 1, and the full sampler was calling my name.

Got seated right away at around 5 pm on a weekday, next to another family with a 3- year old. Not crowded, though I didn't see many empty seats.

Ordered the full sampler (every beer on tap), which that day was 17 beers. Took a sip of each, then drank more of the ones I liked, but with many of their offerings higher than 6% ABV, definitely could not finish everything without getting completely hammered. The sours were my favorite.

For food, we had a pizza and the charcuterie plate, both were good, but not amazing.

Service was a little slow.

Overall, had a great time and would go back. Even bought a t-shirt.

05-23-2013 19:53:37 | More by jlee922

DrunkenMonk

California

3.53/5  rDev -20.5%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3 | $$

Russian River is a casual relaxed place with friendly staff and good service. It is clean yet retains its charm as a street-front pub. It is too small for its high following, creating elbow to elbow standing room only situations at times.

The food was good. I had a pizza. The beer selection was good also. They had two sample flights available. I had the hops flight. It was really good. Next time I will have the sour/Belgium flight.

I enjoyed my time and will return.

05-23-2013 05:46:30 | More by DrunkenMonk

jkane101

New Jersey

4.98/5  rDev +12.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.75 | $$$

Went on a family vacation to San Francisco last July with the main intent to visit RR Brewing. It did not disappoint in fact it was everything I imagined it would be. Highly recommend for any beer geek who even has the remote opportunity to visit.
Bring an extra suitcase to bring home you beer if you're flying in!

05-10-2013 00:40:17 | More by jkane101

ek_ek

California

4.83/5  rDev +8.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.25 | $$

This place is a Mecca for craft beer. Amazing beer and outstanding service. Food is limited menu but good, some pizzas/calzones and other pub fare. Only thing I could ask for is some type of tour of a brewing facility and a little more teaching of the facts and history.

04-28-2013 06:33:31 | More by ek_ek

brodericksloth

Oregon

4.9/5  rDev +10.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $

Fun place to go. only went during happy hour so it was very busy. Longest wait was twenty minutes whe we arrived at 5:30 otherwise no wait if you go closer to 4. people come from all over to sample. Couple next to us were from Norway. You can sample all of the available beers (Sonoma or Belgiums) to see the many different styles. came away with some new favorites: blind pig, damnation, consecration and salvation. It's not all about Pliny, although I'm bringing home alot of Pliny for my beer buddies. Prices very reasonable. $3.25 for a pint of Pliny during happy hour and $4 for a bottle. Eight beers available in the bottle to take home. We took as much as we could carry.
Stayed in the Luther Burbank area. Centally located 15 miles to very good wineries one hour to the city. Rented a two bedroom house six blocks from RR. Same price as hotel for two in San Francisco, and you can keep your beer fresh in what turns out to be a beer fridge. Good idea to walk home after sampling, your designated driver will cave, its too good.
Highly recommended great place went there three times this week for happy hour.
Less pretentious than the wine tasting down here, but both have their place.

04-04-2013 14:54:55 | More by brodericksloth

IanSpindler

Alberta (Canada)

4.9/5  rDev +10.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $

Made a pilgrimage February 2013 to try Pliny the Younger!

Atmosphere: Got in line at 930am on a Friday morning (about 80 people already ahead of us) and there was around 300 people waiting by the time they opened at 11am. Going to this event was well worth the wait, this was like Christmas for beer nerds. The atmosphere was great and you could tell that everyone was excited as they walked into the brew pub. We were seated next to a friendly local couple and now I have a trading connection in Santa Rosa! Cheers Mike!

Quality: All the beers were excellent, and we tried them all several times haha

Service: Our server was excellent, even with the pub at full capacity we rarely waited more than a minute or two for a new round of beers. My glass was never empty!

Selection: The full sampler was great, we tried all the available beers and then ordered pints of our favorites. Also don't forget about the bottles for purchase at the pub, I brought a case back to Calgary and later wished that I bought two haha.

Food: The food paired well with the beer. But who cares really, these guys could serve only stale bread and this place would still be packed with the quality of their brews.

Value: Being from Canada I was stunned at how reasonable the prices were for the beers. Pliny the Younger for $4.50 a glass! Are you kidding me?, Calgarians think Happy Hour specials for $5 domestic beer is a good deal at a brew pub.

This was the best beer experience that I've ever had! Highly recommend a visit in early Feb or anytime to try these amazing beers!

03-21-2013 17:28:27 | More by IanSpindler

8bithops

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev -4.3%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

Beer was amazing, food above average and staff super-friendly. Got a sweet tour of the back and shared a Dark Lord with the workers. Awesome and memorable. Only bummer was how rowdy and loud it gets. Reminds me more of a club than a brewpub. Will definitely be back, next time for PtY!

03-06-2013 14:41:25 | More by 8bithops

phingdong

New Hampshire

4.81/5  rDev +8.3%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 5 | service: 4.75 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

Had a chance to visit 3 times over the course of a week during the Pliny the Younger release in Feb '13. Never had to wait more than an hour to get in (heard horror stories of 6 hour waits on Sat). I love this place. The layout, the way the sun blasts through the windows, the service, and most importantly, the endless tap selection of world class beer.

Looking at the tap list, it's almost impossible to choose (especially when Younger is on the board). Draft Temptation, Sanctification, Row 2 Hill 56, Elder, Pig, all the 'tions, tap only stuff. Not a bad choice on the board. The sampler is legendary. The happy hour prices are outstanding.

Overall, most everything about this place is fantastic. I'd love to be a local! I hope to return at least once a year and soak up all the amazing.

03-05-2013 17:03:33 | More by phingdong

NWer

Washington

4.8/5  rDev +8.1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 3 | $

Atmosphere: I've gone the last three years for Pliny the Younger release so this may be atypical but the energy, excitement, good vibes permeate the place. It's the place to be at least during the second week in February.
Quality: What's to question? Russian River world class specializing in IPA's & Belgian.
Service: In spite of the crowds descending on the place at this time of year the staff does an exemplary job of keeping their sanity. Professional, efficient, nice, helpful all the way.
Selection: Russian River beers exclusively but that's why we're there. If they did have a guest tap I wasn't interested in knowing about it.
Food: Had a pizza there once. Go for the beer not the food.
Value: Overwhelmed. World class beer at a reasonable price and tasters range from .50 - $1.
Doesn't get any better than that.

02-23-2013 14:21:00 | More by NWer