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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!

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Way Back Wednesday at the Windsor brewery is just a week away! Join us every third Wednesday this summer from 5-7pm for our free vintage car meetup! Fun for the whole family! What’s in your garage? #waybackwednesday

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Way Back Wednesday at the Windsor brewery is just a week away! Join us every third Wednesday this summer from 5-7pm for our free vintage car meetup! Fun for the whole family! What’s in your garage? #waybackwednesday

Double Dry-Hopped (DDH) Pliny the Elder available on tap and in cans at both our Santa Rosa and Windsor pubs this Friday 6/13! Also releasing cans online at 11am Friday while supplies last. DDH Pliny kegs and bottles heading out for full distribution to bars, restaurants and stores where RRBC beers are sold starting tomorrow. Cheers!

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Double Dry-Hopped (DDH) Pliny the Elder available on tap and in cans at both our Santa Rosa and Windsor pubs this Friday 6/13! Also releasing cans online at 11am Friday while supplies last. DDH Pliny kegs and bottles heading out for full distribution to bars, restaurants and stores where RRBC beers are sold starting tomorrow. Cheers!

FYI both pubs will be closed on Monday, June 30th for our annual company picnic. The Windsor gift shop will remain open from 11am - 3pm.

🍻Cheers!🍻

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FYI both pubs will be closed on Monday, June 30th for our annual company picnic. The Windsor gift shop will remain open from 11am - 3pm. 🍻Cheers!🍻

Looking for a great gift for Father`s Day? Take Dad to see what mystery lies behind this door on our Guided Brewery Tour!

Led by our friendly and knowledgeable tour staff, our Guided Brewery Tour includes 3 beer samples along the way and your very own RRBC souvenir glass!

Book a tour or purchase a tour gift certificate today at our website!
Link in bio!

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Looking for a great gift for Father's Day? Take Dad to see what mystery lies behind this door on our Guided Brewery Tour! Led by our friendly and knowledgeable tour staff, our Guided Brewery Tour includes 3 beer samples along the way and your very own RRBC souvenir glass! Book a tour or purchase a tour gift certificate today at our website! Link in bio!

Vinnie is in the pilot brewery with a fresh glass of our newest RnD Series IPA! Featuring 100% New Zealand hops with an emphasis on Rakau, along with Nelson Sauvin and Nectaron, this batch has notes of tropical fruit, citrus and pear.

On tap now at both pub locations!

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Vinnie is in the pilot brewery with a fresh glass of our newest RnD Series IPA! Featuring 100% New Zealand hops with an emphasis on Rakau, along with Nelson Sauvin and Nectaron, this batch has notes of tropical fruit, citrus and pear. On tap now at both pub locations!

🍺📣NEW BEER ALERT!📣🍺

Named for the 110 miles that the Russian River flows from Mendocino County through Sonoma County’s majestic coastal redwoods to the Pacific Ocean, Russian River 110 West Coast Pils is now on tap at both pub locations!

Russian River 110 is a cold fermented Pilsner but hopped more like an IPA. A lower alcohol content and a balanced hop profile make this beer extremely drinkable.

🍻Cheers!🍻

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Open post by russianriverbrewingofficial with ID 18050083748606361
🍺📣NEW BEER ALERT!📣🍺 Named for the 110 miles that the Russian River flows from Mendocino County through Sonoma County’s majestic coastal redwoods to the Pacific Ocean, Russian River 110 West Coast Pils is now on tap at both pub locations! Russian River 110 is a cold fermented Pilsner but hopped more like an IPA. A lower alcohol content and a balanced hop profile make this beer extremely drinkable. 🍻Cheers!🍻
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