Characterized as one of the best beer producers in the country, Russian River Brewing Company in Santa Rosa, California creates some of the most sought after and highest rated products in the world. Released only once each year in extremely limited quantities and available only on draft in a handful of cities, Pliny the Younger reared its face in Philadelphia on February 27 at the Khyber Pass Pub. Currently sitting at the number one spot on BeerAdvocate.com’s list of Top Beers on Planet Earth, this burly triple IPA attracts a crowd every time it appears.
Named after an ancient Roman politician and author, Pliny the Younger was the nephew of Pliny the Elder, which is the name of Russian River’s insanely bitter and delicious double IPA. With three times the hops as the brewery’s standard IPA, the Younger boasts a one-of-a-kind hop profile and a deceivingly drinkable level of alcohol at 11 percent.
While the Younger has shown up in Philadelphia numerous times before, 2011 was a little different as many bars tweaked their methods to avoid extremely long lines, disappointed customers, and potentially hazardous overcrowding. Khyber Pass Pub elected to distribute 53 stamped, hand numbered tickets guaranteeing one glass of the coveted beer, which were sold at the bar on Thursday afternoon and disappeared within hours. All of the ticket sales also went to a local charity, allowing the bar to donate upwards of $750, as each one carried a $15 price tag.
After arriving at the bar about 30 minutes before the 5 p.m. tapping time, a number of people were already in their stools, anxiously awaiting their promised taste of the elusive triple IPA. Using a cleverly unmarked tap handle, bartenders began to delicately pour 10 ounce servings into tulip glasses for each person with a ticket, resulting in an inevitable, glowing grin on the recipient’s face.
Pliny the Younger pours a golden orange yellow color with a nice fluff of white head resting delicately on top, and leaves a wispy layer of film and lacing behind. As you breathe in the scents, the beer delivers an eyebrow raising level of pine and citric hops, alongside some softer fruit and malt tones.
While the flavors are obviously intense with explosive hops, there’s also a delicate sense of fruit and sweetness, creating an incredible balance. Somewhat creamy and smooth on the tongue, the Younger is one of the most drinkable high alcohol beers on the market.
Utilizing tickets allowed Khyber Pass to keep a lid on the usually chaotic scene, while each person was still able to enjoy their glass without having someone’s elbow sticking in between their ribs. Each last drop of the obscure nectar was enjoyed to the fullest, as most people were left pining for more. While many beers reaching this level of hype and demand tend to fall a bit short, Russian River blew nearly every other IPA out of the water with this extraordinary creation.
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