Even though its one of the most popular alcoholic drinks in the world and boasts a remarkably rich history, beer has never been a drink that most people will wait for with bated breath. There are a few exceptions, however, when it comes to rarity and quality. Russian River’s Pliny The Younger — which has seen people wait in line for hours on end just to try it — it one such exception. And, for the first time ever, it’s getting bottled for 2020.
Originally released in 2005 as a winter seasonal, Pliny The Younger was a capitalization on the brand’s lauded, year-round Pliny The Elder recipe — offering both bigger, bolder flavors and a higher ABV rating. However, it has only ever been available to folks willing to track down a tasting room or brewpub in possession of kegs of the stuff. And even then, the beer would go fast — with some bars reporting that they run out in mere minutes of tapping the keg. Now, at this year’s February 7th release and for the very first time, Russian River’s Santa Rosa and Windsor locations, exclusively, will be offering the rare beer in their iconic 510ml bottles. And while patrons will only be allowed two bottles each, this offering is damn near guaranteed to sell out almost immediately.
