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Pliny the Elder

Russian River Brewing Company
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🌍 United States · Double IPA · One of 95 Double IPAs in hopIQ

Consistently ranked one of the greatest beers on earth. Named after the Roman naturalist who documented hops in 77 AD. Brewed with Amarillo, Centennial, CTZ, Cascade, Warrior and Simcoe hops — floral, citrus, pine and resin in perfect balance. Vinnie Cilurzo invented the modern Double IPA style. Best consumed fresh.

ABV
8%
Bitterness
Very bitter100 IBU
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
amber9
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How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Assertively bitter and very dry.

The grain stays in the background so every note the beer offers can come from the hops.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Double IPA.
Hop character
citrusy
hoppy
floral
piney
resinous
herbal
orange
Fermentation & yeast
clean
fruity
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Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Pliny the Elder

Appearance

Pliny the Elder displays a brilliant golden-amber hue with excellent clarity and a pale, persistent white head that clings to the glass. The carbonation is crisp and lively, creating fine streams of bubbles that maintain the foam throughout the drinking experience.

golden-amberbrilliant claritypersistent white headwell-carbonated

Aroma

The nose is intensely aromatic with a beautiful balance of fresh citrus and pine dominating the profile. Floral notes from the Amarillo and Simcoe hops intermingle with grapefruit zest and subtle resinous undertones, creating an inviting and complex bouquet that showcases why this beer is considered a masterclass in hop expression.

citrus-forwardpine resinfloralgrapefruit zest

Taste

The palate opens with bold, assertive hop character balanced by clean malt sweetness that prevents the beer from becoming one-dimensional. Mid-palate reveals layers of bitter pine, spicy hop qualities, and citrus complexity, while the 8% ABV provides subtle warmth without overwhelming the delicate hop balance that defines this iconic Double IPA.

hoppy boldbalanced bitternessresinous pinecitrus complexity

Finish

The finish is notably dry and clean, with lingering resinous bitterness and grapefruit notes that encourage another sip. The aftertaste remains crisp and refreshing, a testament to Vinnie Cilurzo's masterful formulation and the emphasis on freshness.

drycleanlingering bitterness
92
hopIQ score
Aroma
94
Taste
93
Appearance
88
Finish
90
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Pliny the Elder

Serve at 8–11°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 8–11°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Tulip glass
Recommended for this style

The curved shape concentrates hop aromas and supports a thick head. Essential for aromatic ales and IPAs where the nose is half the experience.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Pliny the Elder

About Double IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Double IPA?

IPAs are hop-forward ales with 5.5–7.5% ABV and IBU 40–70+. Bold hop aroma — citrus, tropical, resinous — with firm bitterness and a dry, clean finish.

Finding a similar Double IPA

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same hoppy, citrusy, resinous character as Pliny the Elder will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Double IPAs in hopIQ

Explore all Double IPA beers in hopIQ →Browse United States beers →

WHERE TO BUY

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