For years, it’s been a white whale, a mythical beast, a craft beer specter whispered about in hushed tones amongst craft brew enthusiasts. Pliny the Younger. We’ve all heard the tales: the epic lines at Russian River Brewing, the scramble for tickets, the lucky few who manage to snag a pour of this legendary Triple IPA.
We’ve followed the hype, we’ve read the reviews, and we’ve dreamed of the day we’d finally get to experience it ourselves. But between busy schedules, conflicting release dates, and the sheer logistical challenge of being in the right place at the right time, it always eluded us. Until now.
The Room Where It Happened: Trailbend Taproom
Last Thursday, the stars aligned. The beer gods smiled upon us. We walked into Trailbend Taproom, after failing to secure a taste at The Dray, and there it was. Pliny the Younger. On tap. No lines, no fuss, just a beautiful, golden pour of liquid legend awaiting us.
The anticipation was almost unbearable. We’d built this beer up in our minds for so long, wondering if it could possibly live up to the monumental reputation. One sip. That’s all it took.
Completing the Quest for Russian River Brewing’s Pliny the Younger
The aroma alone was a symphony of hops, citrus, pine, tropical fruit, all dancing together in perfect harmony. The taste? Oh, the taste! It was everything we had hoped for and more. A complex yet incredibly smooth flavor profile, bursting with hop character but remarkably balanced. Despite its Triple IPA status, there was no harsh bitterness, just a wave of pure, unadulterated hoppy bliss. It was surprisingly drinkable, dangerously so, given its ABV.
Wee savored every single drop, reflecting on the journey to finally get to this moment. And when we finished the first, we were offered a second, “the limit is two” our server explained, well, two it is then! And when we finally logged our rating on Untappd, there was no hesitation. A perfect 5 caps. It wasn’t just the beer itself, but the culmination of years of anticipation, the thrill of the chase finally ending in victory.
So, for all of you out there who, like us, have been chasing the Pliny the Younger dragon, keep the faith! Your time will come. And when it does, it will be glorious.
WeeBeers Cheers! Here’s to many more legendary craft beers!
Clark believes that the best professional relationships are built on shared experiences and a bit of fun. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, Clark has been a vocal advocate of the local craft beer scene for years. He enjoys exploring the unique flavors and community-driven atmosphere of Washington’s and Oregon’s many breweries while working through the complex software architecture opportunities presented by social interaction. After a hard day of work, Clark can often be found on the karaoke stage any day of the week belting out 80’s rock and heavy metal tunes while bringing the same passion and energy to his performances as he does to his startups; valuing confidence, engagement, and the power of a good song and a bourbon barrel aged beer to bring people together.
