I am moving to California soon. Two biggest motivations for the move: my wife lives there and easy access to RR beer. Every single beer they make is loaded with flavor and wildly drinkable. Deserving of every ounce of hype they receive.

From Pennsylvania and I LOVE when I can get Russian River. Pliny is my favorite beer.

Agree breweries like this are very rare and should be respected and supported. One day I’ll try their beer!🍻

“Pliny is just sitting there waiting for those hazy drinkers to come around to it” Too funny!

Nice little video, of a couple of classic beers, well done

I was fortunate enough to have received this beer this past Christmas. It was great. I've lost count on how many double IPA's I have had. It certainly stands out and is worth its hype.

More US content! YESSSSSS! Hope you guys are well!

West Coast IPA is my favourite style and Pliny is the best West Coast IPA I've ever had. It is truly tremendous

I'm a California native and I visited Russian River with my sister some time ago now. It was a great experience and I want to go back so badly.

Every time I'm in California I seek these two beers out. I'm never dissapointed. Absolutely fantastic beers!

It is surreal to try a beer that blows you away when all you have heard is how good it is.

Got a Pliny in my fridge ready to go. This video is a sign that I'll drink this beer this weekend. Timing Is everything!

After tireless research (asking my mates in the local railway museum) Horn Handle, that's the name of the Hype Train air tug to make the horn sound. You're welcome. 😁

I was lucky to drink the pliny several times fresh from the tap (in Santa Rosa & toronado bar in SF) during a west coast trip some years ago. It is still the best IPA I've ever had!!! This clean pine resiness and slight crispiness is developed to absolute perfection. After all beers and especially IPA's I could get my hands on it is absolutely outstanding and I hope to get another chance to get a fresh pliny the elder one day. Greets from Germany!

We will absolutely be looking back in 25yrs at TreeHouse, Hill Farmstead and Alchemist and fully understanding and appreciating their importance to the industry, the style and the community. Been too long since I've had The Elder and still waiting for my Pint of Younger. Cheers all!

Hey guys, great video! I think it's time for new hype train videos, because breweries like Fidens, Brujos, Troon and Willow Park start surpassing the original kings of haze like Treehouse and The Alchemist both in terms of hype and Untappd ratings. I would love to see you dig into their beers and assess their quality! Much love from Austria!

I had the opportunity to visit Russian River Brewery when it was still with Korbel. My first time trying Blind Pig, along with some other amazing beers. Through the years when Vinnie brought the brewery from Korbel and moved it to the OG space in Santa Rosa, I would pay a yearly pilgrimage. Vinnie, and his wife Natalie are amazing people, bringing some world-class beers to beer lovers. They kick ass. I'm yet to visit the "newer" brewery, but I look forward to visiting someday soon.

Just reviewed both of these a few months ago and they're still great.

In the UK and super excited to have a Pliny on the way in early August

Excellent review of these legendary RR beers. Cheers!

Friends 'dragged' me on a trip to Napa valley, on the last day I took a detour out to Santa Rosa to get some Pliny as I'd always wanted to try it. For like 10+ years I'd heard of it but never had a chance to try it, so was worried my expectations were too high. I was blown away. The only way I could describe it would be "It defines the style" Everything else is a lesser copy of it.

Love this video guys. My first IPA was in 2007 and was a Pliney. I ended up playing at that shop for free beer for about a year and I still think it was a fair trade. I really appreciate the commentary about beer drinkers growing up on Hazy beers, as it wasn't a put down against them, just showing the different perspective they may have on a classic like Pliney or Blind Pig. Cheers and keep it up!

Really interesting to come to craft beer after the bitter IPA craze passed, I brewed my own west coast and was initially not impressed, but by the time I reached the end of my batch, it was a new love. Hope to get my hands on one of these beers some day.

Hearing Imperial IPA is an old fashioned term makes me feel incredibly old.

Got some RR coming to me cause I had Pliny for Pres on draft and it blew me away! Way better imo then out of the can! Possibly the best IPA I've ever had! Made me crave OG Pliny & Blind Pig!

It's really funny that at the Beer Bar where I work, I sometimes have guests (mostly people in their 20s) who order a WC IPA coming back and telling me that something is wrong with the beer😂 They are just so used to the Hazy stuff. I had the chance to taste Pliny twice, one just recently brought to me by s guest and I have to say it's an incredible beer, I would even say it's timeless. It has this amazing balance and drinkability even with the bitterness. I personally love both Hazy and WC IPA and I hope more Breweries will adapt the ratio of WC to Hazy production. Just makes for more interesting and diverse tap lists around the world. Great video guys! Cheers from Zurich, Sandro from OG TravelZ

Temecula, CA in Riverside county. This is my home town and Vinney does a good job of distributing to a couple of our "local" hang outs and Renzoni winery!!!

Blind Pig is my favorite IPA. Lucky enough to live in Santa Rosa

A friend of mine flew over from the US and surprised me with a few bottles of Pliny the Elder. It blew my mind. I'm with you in that if I had the choice, it would definitely be my go-to WC IPA.

Luckily I live near Santa Rosa. I used to hit he fourth street location regularly. I have a deep love for Blind Pig, Pliney, and Consecration. I was lucky enough to get into their inaugural barrel club thing where Vinny has hand selected Barrel Aged beers I could pick up. Man...I love RR more than any other brewery.

Finally got to drink RR beers a bit more local last year, Oakland/LA, and drinking a pint of Pliny in the April sun was a joy. It is a beer you can ‘drink and not think’, but it’s so damn well made.

I’d love to see you both do a blind taste test with Pliny and other DIPAs. I suspect Pliny would still win out but it would be interesting to see.

I've only had Pliny (and Heady) once (each), but I still remember both very distinctly and I will remember them even when I've forgotten my mother's name.

Russian River and Alchemist are like the CristianoRonaldo and Messi of the IPA world. Two GOATS breaking the threshold of what can be achieved, and keeping it going for years in the company of other emerging greats. Great video gents!

Was lucky enough to get two bottles shipped to me in Minnesota, definitely worth the hype. Also, I'm going to be in your neck of the woods in a couple of days and I'm looking forward to drinking some cask beer!

Love the video, lads. If you could somehow get some Pliny and Blind Pig over for Love & Beer 2, it would be fu**ing awesome!

I'm a Scot, my wife is Lithuanian, best mate is from Santa Rosa, when we visit from Scotland RR is our go to place. Beer is amazing, Pliny, Blind pig also others like Damnation, pure quality. Pizza also fantastic.

Got to Russian River in Santa Rosa last March 2022. I remember I had two beers (one Pliny) and bought two bottles of RR and it was under $20 before the tip. Had great beers at a great price. It was a Monday and I think there was some special pricing.

Also a kudos to whoever got it to England and it’s still tasting fresh. That’s a long way to go when those type of beers can decline quickly.

If you're in Santa Rosa during certain times of the year RRBC releases Pliny for President(a triple dry hopped pliny) and it is absolutely amazing.

Yup, Vinnie has spoken about the tweaks hes made over the years to evolve alongside the newer modern wc ipa style. "New school" hops and the reduction of cmalts and more pils malts etc

I always enjoy when you drink US beers. Cheers!

I've enjoyed Pliny many times and enjoyed it. That said, Brad's Pliney tasting hat is tops.

It never was "the world's best IPA". It was and remains the world's most hyped IPA.

The dead Roman's name is pronounced Pli-nee (to rhyme with 'mini') not ply-nee (rhymes with tiny?). As someone who learnt the name at university twenty-five years ago and has been reading it that way ever since, this seems a bit jarring. Is there a reason for the pronunciation?

Simcoe was created by Charles E. Zimmermann, developed by Select Botanicals Group, and released through Yakima Chief Ranches in 2000. It was previously named YCR 14, never a HBC hop, check your fact buddy!

Jonny describes beer like Kirk Herbstreit describes college football. Well done Sir.

Every time I'm back in California, I always have to grab a few bottles of Pliny. I wish more breweries would make a maltier IIPA but at least Pliny is still perfect.

Love Pliny! Great vid

Yet to have a Blind Pig but did managed to snag a Pliny (and a Heady Topper!) from an almost reputable source a couple of years back. Paid premium but a treat you just can't get without travelling Stateside.

Never tried it, it's definitely on the bucket list if and when it comes over here

A friend from the Bay Area was coming to Hong Kong and offered to bring me some beer. She brought me 4 bottles of Pliny. Shop in HK had them recently for 200 HKD a bottle, so essentially, she saved me $100 USD. Talk about liquid gold.

I am sooooo jealous right now!

It just hit me, Brad has the Matthew McConaughey Wowww 🤣🤣🤟🏼

Absolutely furious with myself that I spent 2 weeks roadtripping down the west coast of the US a couple of years ago and didn't know Russian River/Pliny was a thing until after the trip. Don't get me wrong, I had some incredible beer while I was out there, but I'm always going to regret not going to RR... Ah well, it's an excuse to go back I suppose!

When I lived in SF and would travel frequently to Europe on business, I would check luggage with a bunch of Pliny the elder to gift to partners. This worked well. I really dislike IPA in general, but Pliny (younger and elder) are truly special.

Love the video, can you get them in the UK? Just booked to see your session at Cheltenham Food Festival!

I'm actually heading to Russian River for the first time in a few years next week so thank you for the hype video! You got my hop salivary glands flowing. LOL. Interested to hear your thoughts on how they traveled in a bottle versus when you had them on draft, understanding that the recipe is slightly different, as you explained.

Simcoe was popular 10 years ago, as a homebrewer I used it in barley wines and dipas, shame its disappeared

One day I will get the opportunity to try these beers!😅 Issue is when it comes into to the UK, it's like £20 a bottle cause it's high demand and short supply

Pliny is one of the finest beers I've ever had.

Ever tried a Knife Party from Liberty Brewing in New Zealand. Amazing WCIPA. Haven't tried Pliny, so I can not make a comparison.

Brad needs to bring back the hat! 😂

I just wish it was sold in Texas!

Having a PTE right now... Cheers!

I would GLADLY drive the hour North to meet up with you two, buy a round, and share a toast together.

The fact that my viewing was interrupted by an automated advert for Corrs Lite somewhat broke the mood, but I can't comment as I've never seen it in the UK, let alone had it.

200 years making Champagne in Sonoma County? You might want to fact check that statement. WTS, nice video on a great subject. And it's NO hype train, RRBC is the real deal!!!

Vinny is the GOAT. And yeah the cool thing about his beers is you're not tasting the same version of Blind Pig and Pliny that he made 30 years ago. He doesn't strive to make a consistent beer, but a consistently better one. Today we'd view the 30 year old version as cloying due to all the crystal malts in them. He phased that out over many years. Today there's none of that in his beers. Glad you guys touched on that.

Living in the southern US I’ve always wanted to try Pliny the Elder. It is very limited distribution in the US however I am happy that it is exported to y’all. Seems goofy to me I can’t get it, not even mailed. Crazy.

Pliny has been on my wish list for a while. Going on a trip to Philadelphia in June, and as there is apparently a distributor there, I'll be very disappointed if I don't get to finally try it. Will hopefully be able to try Blind Pig too.

Hi guys, another great video. As a recent viewer of your vids I found the one where you both tasted a Fullers vintage ale and totally agree with everything you said about it. Now I need your help please. I have 30+ bottles of Fullers vintage going back to 2003. As I'm about to move house I need to sell them on. Have you guys any idea where I can sell them, an auction house perhaps.

Ah, in many ways I am spoiled living in northern California. I can pick up a Pliny at my local supermarket. It's too bad that I decided only once I left London after 2 years that my true beer love is cask ale. 😢

RR now cans and distributes their Pilsner (STS) and Helles (Velvet Glow). They are priced at $12.99 for 6 X 12oz which is much cheaper than buying the single 500ml bottles.

Cracking video guys, one question - where/or am I able to buy either Blind Pig or Pliny the Elder in the UK?

It's really frustrating that a very successful brewery can't get national distribution.

Hill Farmstead makes a panoply of superb ale. But Hill doesn't want to be bigger. So I think it's legend will remain the same, which is about the brewery, rather than a specific ale.

It’s not just within the EU that the term ‘champagne’ is protected. Even in the US it’s only permitted to be used by wine brands which were using it prior to 2006, and even then the term must be accompanied by the wine’s actual origin

I don't know how the people who produce the beer say it, but the name of the classical author (in English) is definitely pronounced 'plinnie'.

Great video fellas, thanks. I'm now suffering from terrible Sadness Of Missing Out. Any tips on where I'd try getting hold of these in the UK?

Shout out the OG Stone IPA and Sierra Nevada Torpedo!

I would like to add Omnipollo's Nebuchadnezzar. My personal favorite IPA ever. Sadly, I can't get it as my local import any Omnipollo's anymore. :(

Isn't Pliny on the Hype Subway? It might not always be visible, but it will, hopefully, always be there.

I don’t think the USA not being in the EU has anything to do with naming a sparkling wine Champagne. It was more to do with the treaty of Versailles not being ratified in the American senate, but I think a trade deal was signed between the USA and the EU fairly recently led to an agreement that new American wines won’t use the term champagne.

Riverside County!

so hard to get hold of, how are the masses ever going to taste it other than going there!

West coast is the best coast, still not had the chance to try Pliny

If you are craving Pliny, what do you drink instead? (i.e. readily available in the UK)

New hype train!!!!!🚨🚨🚨🚨

If it were possible to name somebody 'best brewer in the world", Vinnie certainly would be in the running.

I love blind pig!!!

Funnily, the reason the US can call their sparkling wine champagne is actually because they never ratified the treaty of Versailles. That's where that protected term comes from and the US and Russia never signed it! Also, that treaty set the standard orchestra tuning to A=440hz. They jammed a ton of stuff in there.

Is it really flawless though? I'd love you to have tried it blind next to other west coasts. I don't think we benefit at all by lifting some beers to a pedestal just for their namesake, I would like to make many ties to this beer and Westvleteren 12 - also with the non hype for St Bernardus 12 & Rochefort 10.

Love blind pig! Have you guys ever tried anything from moonlight brewery? Especially death & taxes? Best bay area brewery imo.

Pliny the Younger!

Distillers age. Brewers are always young and fresh.

How about Pliny the Younger??

It's a long shot but where can I get Pliny in the UK?

Is this for sale in the uk?

Is it the best? No...Is it a good beer? 100%. I've taken part in Side by side tastings of imperial IPAs and it seldom comes out top. That said i am spoiled for choice living out here on the west coast US.