Russian River Brewing Company
Santa Rosa, California, USA · Est. 1997
Tally's Take
Why this matters
The benchmark of bitterness. Vinnie Cilurzo is widely credited with inventing the modern Double IPA in 1994. Pliny the Elder (first brewed 1999) became an instant cult classic; the brewery's obsessive freshness controls keep it in tight allocations so it's never consumed past its prime.
The founding thesisFounded by Korbel Champagne Cellars in 1997; brewmaster Vinnie Cilurzo and Natalie Cilurzo bought the brewery and recipes in 2003.
The Museum
Timeline
- 1997Korbel founding
Russian River launches under Korbel Champagne Cellars.
- 2003Cilurzo purchase
Vinnie & Natalie Cilurzo buy the brewery and recipes.
The People
Behind the beer
Vinnie invented the modern Double IPA style in 1994; the couple turned Russian River into a global destination.
The Beer Library
Beers
Pliny the Elder
Year-RoundImperial / Double IPA
Tops 'best beer' lists; the West Coast DIPA benchmark.
Pliny the Younger
LimitedTriple IPA
Annual February release that draws lines around the block.
Travel Guide
Plan a visit
- Full kitchen
- Taproom