Life is nowhere near normal right now, but Pliny is coming. Russian River Brewing is gearing up to release its seasonal favorite, Pliny the Younger, in bottles this year — and under different conditions. You won’t be able to stand in line with other Pliny devotees to get a fresh pour and the full Younger experience. There won’t be an in-person release at either of the two locations. But Russian River will be shipping 12-bottle, mixed-pack cases — within California — that include four bottles of Pliny the Younger, along with some of their other popular beers and one special, new brew no one has seen before.
Co-owner Natalie Cilurzo told me, “We’re trying to re-create the experience of Younger in person.”
Most people who visit the brewery for Pliny the Younger order a sampler of Russian River beers, too, hence the mixed case. And Natalie and brewer Vinnie Cilurzo will be posting Facebook Live tastings of Younger and other beers so fans can taste along with the Russian River duo.
“While we’re disappointed that we can’t do (Younger) in person,” she said, “we’re still doing what we can to make it available to as many people as possible and still make it fun, while at the same time being responsible business owners and keeping everybody safe.”
This is a one-time thing just for 2021, she said. Barring anything unforeseen, Younger will be back at the brewery the following year, so if you want to try it in a bottle, this is your shot. Pre-sales will begin at 11 a.m. (Pacific Time) on Jan. 28 at the brewery’s online store