Once gain in 2025, Russian River Brewing Company is delaying the much-anticipated annual release of its Pliny The Younger IIIPA at its Santa Rosa, CA brewery until March 21st-April 3rd, 2025. This means that the ever-so-popular, award winning, seasonal triple IPA will be available in San Diego's best beer bars and bottle shops over a month in advance. The extremely limited release of the 21st Anniversary Pliny The Younger is being distributed throughout San Diego by what was previously Stone Brewing Co.'s distribution arm (which former ownership kept after the brewery's sale to Sapporo).
Pliny The Younger has already arrived in San Diego and Russian River is asking establishments to tap the kegs by the first week of March, so expect spots to tap their kegs before then. Best suggestion for being the first to know is to follow each place on social media to be alerted when they'll be releasing their reserve. Besides Stone World Bistro & Gardens in both Escondido and Liberty Station, here's who else we know will be serving up Pliny The Younger this year (we update this list throughout the month so check back):
- Blind Lady Ale House, Normal Heights
- Bottlecraft, Little Italy (2/15)
- Bottlecraft, North Park (2/8)
- Carlsbad Brewing Company, Carlsbad (2/9, 2/11)
- Churchill's Pub and Grill, San Marcos
- Counterpoint, Golden Hill
- Encinitas Ale House, Encinitas
- Fathom Bistro, Shelter Island (2/9)
- Grand Ole BBQ y Asado, North Park (2/9)
- Live Wire, University Heights
- Machete Beer House, National City (2/15)
- Neighborhood, East Village
- North Park Beer, North Park (2/8), Bankers Hill & Pacific Beach (2/14)
- OB Noodle House, Ocean Beach (2/13)
- O'Brien's Pub, Kearny Mesa (2/8, 2/9, 2/17, 2/21, 2/23)
- Oggi's, Carmel Mountain Ranch
- PCH Sports Bar & Grill, Oceanside (2/21-24)
- Pizza Port Carlsbad
- Pizza Port Ocean Beach (2/11)
- Press Box Sports Lounge, Rancho San Diego (2/7)
- Pub at Lake Cuyamaca, Julian (2/28)
- Regal Beagle, Mission Hills
- Regal Seagull, Encinitas (2/11)
- Regents Pizzeria, University City (2/11)
- San Diego Brewing, Grantville (2/14, 2/18)
- San Diego TapRoom, Pacific Beach (2/22, 2/23)
- Tribute Pizza, North Park (2/21 or 2/22)
- West Coast Smoke & Tap House, La Mesa (2/19)
- Whistle Stop, South Park
- Working Class, North Park (2/7)
Pliny the Younger is categorized as a Triple IPA, simply meaning that it is higher in alcohol (around 10.25%) and has tons of hops with a 90 IBU. It was brewed for the first time 20 years ago as a winter seasonal, building upon the famed Pliny the Elder recipe. It was always brewed only once a year and released at Russian River Brewing Company on the first Friday in February, rain or shine, but that all changed in 2020 due to the pandemic. There is usually more than 100 people waiting for doors to open on the first day of Pliny The Younger's release at Russian River, with lines remaining until the supply is sold out.
Be sure to call ahead to whatever establishment you'll be patronizing to assure tap times and availability. Once tapped, this beer goes fast. You can also set up an alert at TapHunter to find out when Pliny The Younger arrives. And if we're missing any spots that will be serving Younger this year, please send an email to [email protected].
Originally published on February 7, 2025.
