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Renowned for world-class IPAs and Belgian-inspired ales
Russian River Brewing company has officially taken the spot as my favorite brewery. Their IPA’s are literally some of the best…if not the best in the world in my opinion. They are the ones that will save and fix the reputation around IPA’s one Pliny at a time. I was introduced to Pliny the Elder by an old boss of mine in Los Angeles back in 2019 and well let’s just say I’ve taken it up a notch since then. I’ve made two trips to the brewery in Santa Rosa and have had their crisp beer from the source. This next year in 2026, I am making plans on visiting the brewery once again for the “Pliny the Younger” release – an event they do once a year that lasts about two weeks introducing their Triple IPA. Their pilsners and other ales are also something to rave about. All beers paired along with the delicious food the brewery makes is a dream. Don’t miss out on the pizza and wings and CHEERS!
Visited: 3/30/2025
Russian River just doesn’t miss. This is one of those breweries where everything you try feels intentional and dialed in. The IPAs are obviously what they’re famous for, and for good reason Pliny the Elder still absolutely holds up. Clean, bitter, super drinkable, and not trying to be something it’s not. But what really makes Russian River special is that it’s not just an IPA factory. Their sours and wild ales are just as good, if not better, and show a ton of patience and craft. Nothing tastes rushed or gimmicky. It all feels very “we know what we’re doing.” There’s also something refreshing about how lowkey they are. No hype drops, no flashy branding, just consistently great beer that speaks for itself. If you like classic West Coast IPAs or well made beer in general, Russian River is required drinking. Go to beers: Pliny the Elder, Blind Pig, STS Pils Would drink again: Yeah, obviously.
Visited: 12/11/2025