Russian River Brewing Company

terence

California

5/5  rDev +12.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$

We waited in line for over five hours on 2/10/2013 to try Pliny the Younger. Once we got in, the place was packed! We order the PtY and hunkered down in corner and was amazed by this wonderful brew. After 15 minutes we were brought to our tables. We order a sour samples (only $0.75 each) and some wings and a calzone. The bake their wings, so it took about 30 mins before we got them. The food was surprisingly good and wasn't very expensive.

The service was very friendly, from the guy checking ID's, the hostess, bartenders, and servers. The people inside were just as friendly and festive. Great atmosphere

We had a great experience and look forward to doing it again next year!

02-12-2013 00:27:05 | More by terence

PORTerCITY

California

4.46/5  rDev +0.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4.75 | $

This was the first brewery i ever went to. Decided I was not going to sign up for beer advocate until i drink Pliny the Youger, and I finally did. The atmosphere was great as well as the quality and quality of service. (but then again what place wouldn't be great after waiting in line for 5 hours and being drunk lol) I was impressed with the food, i was expecting worse based on the reviews, but i thought the vegetarian pizza was good, and so were the hot wings and pliny bites. The value was great, $4.50 for pliny the younger and their beers in general were priced very fair. I would definitely go back, just never on the first realease day of pliny the youger!!!!

02-09-2013 18:08:02 | More by PORTerCITY

DedicatedToFun

4.33/5  rDev -2.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

One of the best breweries in the world, company, and history. So many sour beers that you can't even see straight. Amaxing IPAs. Amazing food, spicey wings, pizza, jalapeno poppers, snacks, all with a delicious round of sliders and food to make you go for the win.

02-02-2013 05:28:46 | More by DedicatedToFun

ifitsnothoppyitscrap

4.68/5  rDev +5.4%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | $$

Definitely a pilgrimage destination. The best tasting deal I've ever seen: 15 beers, 3-4 oz. each, for $15. Those 15 beers included 5 from BA's top 50. The beer is so good that the bartenders don't need to be nice, but they are anyway. Food? Yeah, they had it, but who has time for food? I was focused on Pliny and his friends. I don't know how they do it, but Russian River is simply amazing. They're tapping Pliny the Younger at the beginning of February, and I'll bet it will be nuts. If you're in northern California, it's worth the detour. Heck, if you're west of the Mississippi it's worth the detour.

01-25-2013 04:10:31 | More by ifitsnothoppyitscrap

Inukshuk

4.38/5  rDev -1.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 5 | food: 3.5 | $$

Went to this place twice during a long American road trip. Once going down the Coast and once coming back up. This place changed the way i think about Beer, that might sound lame but it's true. I am really enjoying finding good beers now. I was recommended to this place by a friend who is from the states and i'm glad he did. The food is decent and the service is good enough, it seems like some employees are more stoked than others. To be fair they probably deal with a lot of over excited patrons on a daily basis and are a bit over it. The Beer is amazing however, probably changed my life. Congrats on your tasty beverages. I recommend this place for sure.

12-06-2012 03:47:46 | More by Inukshuk

ZinFanDave

Georgia

4.6/5  rDev +3.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

In March we visited 20 wineries in the Central Coast, Paso Robles, and the Russian River Valley. This was a detour to check out what was the excitement surrounding Pliny the Elder first hand. The Monday evening crowd was healthy, but we snagged a table with little wait and ordered a super salty and delicious pizza. We ordered a Pliny and a Salvation. Both were lip-smacking good. The server gave us tastes of a few of the options prior to our selections. We bought a bottle of the Pliny to take home as souvenir gift.

12-02-2012 19:34:56 | More by ZinFanDave

DoubleJ

California

4.6/5  rDev +3.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $

Pliny the Elder. Supplication. Temptation. Highly recommended. End Review..
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Oh wait, there's more?

I knew the possibility of a Russian River visit was strong, but the final word came from Andre, who said this would be the one-thing on his trip that he cannot miss. We parked in the back of Russian River, bought ourselves some time at the meter, and went inside. Russian River is a medium sized brewpub with a long bar, enough room to comfortably move around, sufficent enough numbers at first impression, a music stage in one corner, and walls covered in old-tyme American beer signage. Many brewpubs decorate their interiors with their own stuff, so it was a surprise that Russian River did little in that stage.

There are two large tap lists behind the bar, one listing "regular" beers and one listing "Belgian" beers. Many of the beers that made Russian River famous were available to drink; Blind Pig, Pliny the Elder, Supplication, Temptation. Also featured were less common ales (Perdition, Salvation, Erudition) and tap-only beers (Row 2 Hill 56, Little White Lie, Aud Blonde). "Regular"beers are served in nonic pints, "Belgians" are served in goblets, so the glassware is sufficient. The pours are beautiful too, and because even the weakest beers are pretty darn good (we tasted all 15 beers on the menu), quality earns the highest score.

Service was attentive, beer menus were descripted, surprisingly good food that takes on an Italian theme (lots of pizza and dough based apetizers). The Pliny Bites were great, as was the garlic bread. And while the food is reasonably prices, the beer prices steal the show. Pints going for $4.50 (and dropping to $3.25 during happy hour), and goblets at $3.75 ($6.75 for the sours). Andre commented that the price of a Pliny at Russian River was the same as a Bamberg Pilsen in São Paulo!

As you could imagine, Russian River Brewing is a beer lover's wet dream. Many great beers on-tap, good food, and at good prices. Though if you come, come early. We arrived at 11:30am and the place was half-empty. When we left at 1:30pm, there were people standing in the bar area and all the tables were occupied.

11-12-2012 21:54:18 | More by DoubleJ

jimevans

4.75/5  rDev +7%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$

I have been blessed to have Russian River Brewing less than 20 minutes from my home. I recall when it opened. I was a bit skeptical about this new micro-brew place, but was instantly amazed to the quality of beer they served. An absolute must place to go, if you're in Sonoma County.

This is really where I got to try sour beers, and fell in love with them. Supplication being my number one favorite of them. I've had many sour beers later, and none compare with the aroma and taste that RRBC's.

Of course, Pliny is on my top list also. It's just amazing. It will spoil you though. Once you have it, there are not many other IPAs that will come close to satisfying your taste buds.

11-10-2012 17:53:54 | More by jimevans

inlimbo77

Delaware

4.28/5  rDev -3.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | $$

Stopped in here on 9/5 during Happy Hour for 1/2 priced pours which was nice. My server was very prompt and helpful, plus she was able to help me with my bottle purchase to carry out. The place was packed, which you like to see during Happy Hour, but you could still get quick service which is a good sign.

Also, came back for a night cap after dinner. It was less crowded being a weekday night, but still bustling a bit. Server was equally as quick and attentive.

Tap list was very nice and bottles to carry out where nice too.

09-10-2012 19:23:29 | More by inlimbo77

TheRealBigC

Nevada

4.48/5  rDev +0.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

FINALLY made it out. This place is only 4 hours away, but damn that California traffic! I was going to stop here and Lagunitas in the same day, but Russian River was just too bountiful and too good and I couldn't make it out to Petaluma by the end of my stay in Santa Rosa. Not much needs to be said about Russian River. It is one of the best breweries in the world. Their taps run the gamut from porter to sour to IPA. And they are ALL good, if not better. And it's reasonably priced! 4.50 pints or 3.25 during happy hour. 2oz. tasters under a dollar? Could a beer lover ask for more? Well there is more! You can buy bottles to take home! They obviously cost less coming directly from the source. And their food is pretty good too! The only issue I had was that the house vinagrette was too oily - not mixed enough or something.

Service is a little slow sometimes, but you can't fault them entirely considering how packed it gets in there.

A tremendous value to be sure. You're drinking $$$$ quality and you're paying $$ for it.

08-20-2012 18:53:00 | More by TheRealBigC