We are officially moving our annual Pliny the Younger Release a new Spring date! This year, Pliny the Younger will be available on tap and in bottles at both our Santa Rosa and Windsor pubs March 24th-April 6th, 2023. In 2022, we were forced to postpone the normal February release due to a lack of staffing thanks to COVID. It ended up being a happy accident! Not only were we more prepared, but the weather was better and the days longer. In addition, brewing the beer over the course of a couple of months was extremely helpful to our overall production schedule. And over 90% of people who attended in 2022, according to the Economic Impact survey, said they either preferred the new date or could go either way. It was certainly much better for us! That said, we will continue to distribute kegs of Younger in February 2023 to our draft accounts throughout California, Oregon, Colorado, Philadelphia, and now Reno!
What to Expect When Visiting our Pubs:
Both brewpubs will be open daily from 11AM-10PM, March 24th-April 6th, 2023. In year’s past, a line generally starts forming in the early morning hours (5-6AM) particularly on weekends. We are ALWAYS busier on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, sometimes seeing twice as many people as we would on a weekday. Pro-tip: come Monday -Thursday to minimize your wait to get in. Evenings, especially in Windsor, tend to taper off. Be prepared to wait 6 hours or more on a very busy day, especially on weekends.
Each guest will be given a custom, uniquely colored and dated wristband upon entering the pub. These wristbands have 4 pull-tabs to be redeemed for the ability to purchase 3 – 10 oz. pours and 2 bottles of Pliny the Younger. There is a limit of 3 draft Youngers PER GUEST, and these are non-transferable! However, if you do not want to buy your 2 bottles, you can transfer your allocation to friends in your party. Please DO NOT REMOVE YOUR PULL-TABS unless instructed to do so in the presence of your server or bartender.
Line-cutting has been an issue in the past, and we are not fans. Our security team will be coming through periodically and stamping hands beginning early each morning. If someone in your party is not around to get their hand stamped, they will need to head to the back of the line. Anyone caught line-cutting will be sent to the back of the line or asked to leave!
Bottles will only be available in our brewpubs during the 2-week release March 24th- April 6th, 2023. Bottles will not be released online or available in our Gift Shops (just the pubs) and sold on a first come, first served basis. There is no requirement to eat or drink in our pubs to purchase bottles. But if you are going to wait in line, you might as well stay for a beer! As in year’s past, there is a 2-bottle limit per person. We allocate a certain amount of bottles each day at both pubs to ensure that they last for all 14 days. Please note there is a possibility that we could run out on particularly busy days. We always say there are 2 things we cannot control- the weather and how many people show up on any given day.
Each guest/party will have a maximum time limit of 2 1/2 hours. This help keep the line moving so you don’t have to wait as long. In our experience, 2 1/2 hours is more than enough time to enjoy yourself!
The outdoor patio in Santa Rosa will be open during Younger, weather permitting. Windsor also has a dog-friendly indoor patio which we open on nice days. The Windsor Beer Garden will be closed during the release. We simply do not have enough staff to manage the Beer Garden and provide good customer service to our guests inside.
Draft Distribution:
We will continue to distribute kegs of Pliny the Younger in February, as usual, to our valued wholesalers and draft accounts throughout California, along with a few select accounts in Oregon, Colorado, Philadelphia, and Reno (newly added this year!).
Pliny the Younger, The Beer:
This is our 19th year brewing Pliny the Younger! It is a Triple IPA, meaning that it is higher in alcohol and has tons of hops. Though the ABV usually finishes at about 10.25%, it is remarkably dry for the amount of malt used in this recipe. Loaded with hop aroma and flavor, Younger is well-balanced with malt and a lingering dry and bitter finish. We brewed Younger for the first time in 2005 as a winter seasonal release, building upon the Pliny the Elder recipe while pushing the envelope with malt, hops, and alcohol just to see how far we could go. Fun fact: Younger has always been at least double dry-hopped (some years even quadruple dry-hopped!) long before DDH became a “thing”!
Pliny the Younger, The Man:
Pliny the Younger was the nephew and adopted son of Pliny the Elder. He was a lawyer and an author in Ancient Rome and witnessed the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D., which took the life of his uncle while trying to save others. Pliny the Younger lived from 61 AD to 112 AD. He wrote many letters which survive today and have great historical value. We thought it was only appropriate to also pay tribute to Pliny the Elder’s nephew by naming this special beer after him!
Getting Here and Lodging Recommendations:
Alaska Airlines and Avelo Airlines have direct flights into the Charles M. Schulz Airport (AKA “STS”) from San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange County, Portland, Seattle and a few other places. Our Windsor brewery is a 5 minute drive from STS which just opened their brand new terminal. Check out the airport’s website HERE.
The SMART Train has service to Downtown Santa Rosa and North Santa Rosa, which is closer to Windsor, from Marin County. You will still need to call for a ride share service like Uber or Lyft. Check out the train schedule HERE.
Please see discounted rate code below. Guests can begin booking now either by calling the hotel directly at 707-837-9355 and referencing the “Russian River Brewing Company Guest Rate” and stay dates, or by using the link below to book their stay!
Click here for Hampton Inn Younger Rates
Click here for Vintners Resort Rates
Click here for The Flamingo Younger Rates
Click here for The SandMan Younger Rates
Book direct through their site and use the code “RRBC”
Click here to book a room at The Astro
Click here for Art House Younger Rates
Click here for Hotel E Younger Rates
Click here for Oxford Suites Younger Rates
Click here for Double Tree Sonoma Younger Rates
Other Things To Do In Sonoma County:
There is no shortage of excellent wineries, breweries, cideries and distilleries in Sonoma County! If it’s adult beverages you are seeking, you have come to the right place! Most wineries still require advance reservations, so it is best to plan ahead. For a complete listing of local craft beverages other than wine, check out this new Sonoma County Guide HERE!
If the weather is decent, we also have incredible Sonoma County Regional Parks! Many of them have hiking trails, day use areas, and camping. I believe most of us here at RRBC buy annual park passes, too. Our local parks really saved us during the darkest days of COVID! For more information, click HERE.
And, who doesn’t like cheese with their beer? Check out the 17th Annual California Artisan Cheese Festival Marketplace with 100 artisan cheese and food vendors on Sunday, March 26th from 12 to 4pm at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. Click here for tickets and more information.
We have many outstanding restaurants in Sonoma County, including a few with Michelin Stars if you want to go that route!
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