PLINY THE YOUNGER RELEASE
Pliny the Younger 2021 Release Cancelled at Both Breweries Due to COVID-19, Bottles Available ONLINE Only
Like most major beer releases and other special events during this COVID-era, we are hitting the pause button and scaling back our annual 2021 Pliny the Younger release! Planning for the 2021 Younger release has been a huge topic of discussion for Vinnie, Natalie and key employees throughout 2020. It is very difficult to plan for much of anything these days, let alone a major beer release which draws thousands of visitors from all over the world to our 2 breweries in Sonoma County. We have had to make some hard decisions based on many factors, first and foremost being the health and safety of not only our employees and customers, but also the community in which we live. Our business operations are also dependent upon both state and local health orders which can change, and likely will continue to change, at anytime. Therefore, there will be no in person release at either brewery this year. While we are sad to miss seeing our loyal friends and fans from around the world, it has become clear that it will not be safe for us to gather again by February. Neither of our pubs have been allowed to reopen for indoor dining since we closed in March 2020 due to the unrelenting spread of the highly contagious coronavirus. In December, we had to shut down outdoor dining again due to a major virus surge which continues to ravage all of California. Although our Downtown Santa Rosa pub is still operating with takeout only, our Windsor pub will remain completely closed until further notice.

We just brewed this year’s 4 batches of Pliny the Younger, which is about 1/3 of what we produced last year. Our signature 510ml bottles will be available for sale as part of a mixed case for a limited time through our website for direct shipping to consumers within the state of California. Vinnie and Natalie plan to host a couple of virtual tastings during what would be our normal release time in February via Facebook LIVE! We are also taking this year off from wholesale draft distribution as the majority of our accounts who would carry Younger are either closed or only able to offer takeout. More importantly, we are very concerned for the health and safety of our wholesale accounts and their employees. Large crowds tend to gather wherever Younger is available, which can lead to unintended and dire consequences during a global pandemic. The last thing we want is to be responsible for creating super spreader event. We want everyone to be around enjoying Pliny the Younger in 2022! So please grab a beer and keep reading to learn all the details of our modified 2021 Younger release!
Read more at Russian River Brewing Co.