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About Us

Our History

About RRBC

Russian River Brewing Company was founded by Korbel Champagne Cellars in Guerneville, CA, in 1997. Vinnie was hired as the brewery’s brewmaster and initially sole employee. For the next 6 years, Vinnie continued to set the bar high for super hoppy and Belgian-inspired beers. Pliny the Elder, first brewed at the Korbel location in 1999, was one of the first commercially brewed Double or Imperial IPAs in America and won numerous awards over the years. It is still our most popular beer more than 20 years later.
In 2003, Korbel decided to get out of the beer business and transferred the rights to the Russian River Brewing Company name, all beer names, and the recipes to Vinnie and his wife, Natalie. We wrote a business plan, found 2 managing partners, and convinced 30 friends and family to invest in their new brewpub venture. In April 2004, we opened the doors to the next chapter of Russian River Brewing under our ownership.
Vinnie and Natalie posting with beers at a Pliny the Younger release
Our beers have won dozens of awards from the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup. Vinnie and the brewery were twice named “Brewery and Brewmaster of the Year” at both the GABF and World Beer Cup. In 2007, Vinnie was awarded the “Russell Scherrer Award for Innovation in Brewing”. We received the “Brewers Association Recognition Award” in 2017. But the most important award of all are the many beer enthusiasts who visit from around the world year after year!
Over the years, we were able to buy out all of our partners and investors. The decision was made in 2014 to build our dream brewery right here in Sonoma County. The search for property took nearly 2 years which allowed us time to assemble our “dream team” of architects, consultants, designers, and contractors. We also received a lot of helpful advice from their friends in the beer industry! We found 15 undeveloped acres in Windsor, CA, and were quickly immersed in the project of a lifetime.
Vinnie and Natalie at Russian River Brewing Windsor ribbon cutting
20 year employees on Russian River's 20th anniversary
On October 11, 2018, we opened the doors to our new brewpub! The entire brewery is 85,000 square feet and encompasses beer production for both clean beers and sour barrel-aged beers, administrative offices, a brewpub, an outdoor beer garden, a gift shop, tasting room/growler fills, guided and self-guided tours, and 2 acres of free parking. This increased capacity has allowed us to distribute more draft and bottled beer to markets in which we currently sell as well as open up some new territories within the state of California. The original Downtown Santa Rosa location continues to thrive offering small batch brews and tasty pizza. Vinnie, Natalie, and all our dedicated employees are excited to share a beer or two at both breweries with you!

Connect with us

We are on Instagram

New Beer Friday!

🚣‍♂️HOPFATHER IPA🚣‍♂️
This beer is all about the hops! Hopfather has notes of black currant, stone fruit, and citrus. The finish is smooth and warm, well balanced between bitterness and malt. Available on tap and in cans at both pubs and online for shipping. Also out for distribution on draft and, for the first time, in bottles!
7% ABV | Hopped with Brewer`s Gold, Amarillo, and Centennial

🎼TEMPO CHANGE🎼
The first Hazy IPA made by Russian River and brewed with 100% publicly bred American hops. Notes of pineapple, mango, and passion fruit! Available in cans and on tap at both pub locations and online for shipping.
7.45% ABV | Hopped with Thora, Comet, and Brewer’s Gold

Also available for shipping, a mixed pack featuring both along with DDH Pliny the Elder!

Link in bio.

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Open post by russianriverbrewingofficial with ID 18050372627348366
New Beer Friday! 🚣‍♂️HOPFATHER IPA🚣‍♂️ This beer is all about the hops! Hopfather has notes of black currant, stone fruit, and citrus. The finish is smooth and warm, well balanced between bitterness and malt. Available on tap and in cans at both pubs and online for shipping. Also out for distribution on draft and, for the first time, in bottles! 7% ABV | Hopped with Brewer's Gold, Amarillo, and Centennial 🎼TEMPO CHANGE🎼 The first Hazy IPA made by Russian River and brewed with 100% publicly bred American hops. Notes of pineapple, mango, and passion fruit! Available in cans and on tap at both pub locations and online for shipping. 7.45% ABV | Hopped with Thora, Comet, and Brewer’s Gold Also available for shipping, a mixed pack featuring both along with DDH Pliny the Elder! Link in bio.

We packaged HopFather today! Available tomorrow on tap and in cans at both pubs and online. Also heading out for distribution on draft and, for the first time, in bottles!

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Open post by russianriverbrewingofficial with ID 17980610447928081
We packaged HopFather today! Available tomorrow on tap and in cans at both pubs and online. Also heading out for distribution on draft and, for the first time, in bottles!

Today, we raise our glasses to all those who have served our country. We will be offering Happy Hour pricing at both pub locations all day for veterans and active military personnel. Thank you for your service! 🍻

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Today, we raise our glasses to all those who have served our country. We will be offering Happy Hour pricing at both pub locations all day for veterans and active military personnel. Thank you for your service! 🍻

Holiday season is here! DDH Pliny the Elder is now available in our online store for shipping! Paired with some great deals on holiday merch, we have the perfect gift for the beer lover in your life!

Link in bio.

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Holiday season is here! DDH Pliny the Elder is now available in our online store for shipping! Paired with some great deals on holiday merch, we have the perfect gift for the beer lover in your life! Link in bio.

Wrapping up our first day of brewing at the Craft Beer and Brewing Brewers Retreat @sierranevadanc ! This is the quintessential “homebrew fantasy camp” where homebrewers brew with pro brewers like Vinnie and a few other familiar faces. Off to dinner @burialbeer in Asheville then back for more fun tomorrow! @highlandparkbrewery @craftbeerbrew @firestonewalker @weldwerksbrewing @scratchbeer @greenbenchbrewing @greencheekbeer @fontaflorabrew

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Open post by russianriverbrewingofficial with ID 17936401050098535
Wrapping up our first day of brewing at the Craft Beer and Brewing Brewers Retreat @sierranevadanc ! This is the quintessential “homebrew fantasy camp” where homebrewers brew with pro brewers like Vinnie and a few other familiar faces. Off to dinner @burialbeer in Asheville then back for more fun tomorrow! @highlandparkbrewery @craftbeerbrew @firestonewalker @weldwerksbrewing @scratchbeer @greenbenchbrewing @greencheekbeer @fontaflorabrew

Happy Halloween from all of us at RRBC! What’s your favorite employee costume? Let us know in the comments! #rrbccrew

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Open post by russianriverbrewingofficial with ID 18425743723109686
Happy Halloween from all of us at RRBC! What’s your favorite employee costume? Let us know in the comments! #rrbccrew
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