If you’re a craft beer lover, you’ve probably heard the legends: lines snaking around the block, pilgrims flying in from across the country, and grown adults treating a pint like it’s the Super Bowl of hops. Welcome back, Pliny the Younger — Russian River Brewing Company’s legendary triple IPA is pouring once again at their Santa Rosa and Windsor brewpubs from March 20 through April 2, 2026.
This marks the 22nd annual brewery-only release of one of the most celebrated (and chased) beers in the world. First brewed quietly in the slow winter months of 2005 as a bolder, hoppier big brother to the already iconic Pliny the Elder, Younger quickly outgrew its low-key origins. By 2010, it had become a full-blown phenomenon that turns Sonoma County into a craft beer mecca every spring.
What Makes Pliny the Younger So Special?
At 10.25% ABV, this isn’t your sessionable lawnmower beer. It’s a triple IPA — think massive hop character layered over a solid malt backbone that somehow keeps everything dangerously drinkable. The 2026 batch features a powerhouse hop lineup: Simcoe, Amarillo, Tangier, Citra, Mosaic, Nectaron, and Warrior.
Expect bold notes of citrus, stone fruit, pine, and lychee, with that signature fresh-hop aroma and flavor that Russian River is famous for. The beer pours with a beautiful golden hue, delivers a resinous punch up front, and finishes with a clean, hop-forward bite that makes you want to order another (responsibly, of course).
Fans often describe it as the ultimate expression of what a triple IPA can be: big, balanced, aromatic, and memorable. Vinnie Cilurzo and the Russian River team continue to tweak the recipe each year, incorporating new hop varieties while staying true to the beer’s soul.
How to Get Your Hands on Pliny the Younger in 2026
Good news for locals and dedicated travelers: this release is brewery-exclusive. You won’t find it online or in stores — you have to go to the source.
Where: Russian River Brewing Company in Santa Rosa (725 Fourth St.) and Windsor (700 Mitchell Lane)
When: Daily from March 20 to April 2, 2026, open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (or until they run out of the day’s allocation)
Formats: On tap by the pint (and likely smaller pours for the wise) and in bottles to go (limited per person, brewery-only — no online sales or shipping)
Pro tip: Arrive early if you want bottles or to beat the crowds, especially on opening weekend. Rain was in the forecast for the first weekend, so pack an umbrella and your patience — the vibe is part festival, part family reunion for many regulars.
The Pliny Pilgrimage: More Than Just a Beer
What started as a quiet winter seasonal has evolved into an economic boost for Sonoma County and a bucket-list event for beer enthusiasts. People reconnect with old friends, make new ones, and share stories over glasses of liquid gold. It’s “just like Christmas,” as one local reporter put it, with the first sip feeling like unwrapping the best present of the year.
Whether you’re a first-timer lining up for your inaugural taste or a veteran who marks their calendar every year, the Pliny the Younger release is pure craft beer joy. It’s a celebration of creativity, community, and the simple pleasure of an exceptionally well-made beer.
Planning Your Visit?
Check the official Russian River website for the latest details and merch drops (this year’s Pliny-themed gear is already available online).
Pair your Younger with great food from the brewpub menu — the rich, hoppy profile stands up beautifully to bold flavors.
Drink responsibly and enjoy fresh — Younger is best when it’s cold and consumed soon after release for peak hop aroma.
If you’re anywhere near Northern California this spring, do yourself a favor and make the trip. Pliny the Younger isn’t just a beer; it’s a moment.
Cheers to the Cilurzo family and the Russian River team for another outstanding batch. See you in the line — I’ll be the one with the ridiculous grin after the first sip.
More about Russian River Brewing
Russian River Brewing Company is a cornerstone of American craft beer, renowned for pushing the boundaries of hop-forward IPAs and innovative sour ales from its roots in California’s Sonoma County. Founded in 1997 by Korbel Champagne Cellars in Guerneville, the brewery hired Vinnie Cilurzo as its brewmaster. Cilurzo, already a trailblazer who crafted one of the earliest commercial double IPAs at Blind Pig Brewing in 1994, brought his passion for bold flavors to Russian River. When Korbel exited the beer business in 2003, Vinnie and his wife Natalie acquired the rights to the name, recipes, and beers, reopening the operation in Santa Rosa in 2004. Today, with brewpubs in Santa Rosa and Windsor, Russian River continues to thrive as a family-run icon, blending Vinnie’s inventive spirit with a focus on quality and experimentation.
What truly sets Russian River Brewing apart is its legendary lineup of beers that have shaped modern craft culture. Pliny the Elder, first brewed in 1999 and named after the Roman naturalist who referenced hops, remains its flagship double IPA—a piney, citrusy powerhouse packed with hops that helped popularize the imperial IPA style across the U.S. Even more sought-after is Pliny the Younger, the intensely hopped triple IPA released annually as a limited winter seasonal, drawing devoted fans who line up for its explosive aroma and balanced bitterness. Beyond the Plinys, the brewery excels in Belgian-inspired and barrel-aged sours like Consecration and Beatification, which showcase wild yeast, bacteria, and oak aging for complex, tart profiles. With year-round favorites like Blind Pig IPA and STS Pils, plus innovative limited releases, Russian River delivers beers that reward both hop heads and sour enthusiasts alike—making every visit or bottle a celebration of California craft brewing at its finest.
For Brewing fun fact, trivia, movies and more, Click Here.