Pliny the Younger 2026: Vinnie Cilurzo on the Beer That Changed Craft Brewing
Vinnie Cilurzo
Co-owner and Director of Brewing Operations at Russian River Brewing Company
Craft beer fans, this one's for you. We sit down with Vinnie Cilurzo, co-owner and Director of Brewing Operations at Russian River Brewing Company, to talk about Pliny the Younger, Pliny the Elder, Blind Pig IPA, and the brewing philosophy behind one of America's most celebrated craft breweries.
Pliny the Younger 2026 Release 📅 March 20 – April 2, 2026 📍 725 4th St, Santa Rosa, CA | 700 Mitchell Lane, Windsor, CA
Vinnie and his wife Natalie Cilurzo built Russian River from a struggling brewpub into a global craft beer destination. Each February, their Pliny the Younger release draws thousands of beer lovers from around the world — generating millions in economic impact for Sonoma County.
In This Episode
How Vinnie Cilurzo first fell in love with craft beer
The early craft beer scene and influences like Anchor Liberty Ale and Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
The origin story of Pliny the Elder and Pliny the Younger
The moment Pliny the Younger unexpectedly became the “best beer in the world”
How Russian River grew from struggling brewpub to global destination
The culture and community behind the famous Pliny line
Sustainability at scale: CO₂ capture, water reuse, and local agriculture
Why intentional growth—not rapid expansion—has guided Russian River’s success
The future of craft beer and why lagers may be the next big wave
Key Takeaways from Vinnie
🍺 Quality over growth
Russian River has always prioritized beer quality and long-term sustainability over rapid expansion.
🌎 Beer as community
The Pliny line isn’t just about beer—it’s about connection. People meet friends, families, and sometimes even future spouses while waiting in line.
🌿 Sustainability matters
From capturing fermentation CO₂ to reusing brewery wastewater, Russian River continues to push environmental innovation in brewing
Lightning Round Highlights
Vinnie shares:
His first craft beer love: Anchor Liberty Ale
The most underrated beer style: Saison
A beer trend he hopes sticks: lagers and lower-ABV beers
His most surreal moment: seeing people lined up at 7AM in 2010 for Pliny the Younger
Insider Tips for Pliny the Younger
Vinnie also shares a few tips if you're planning to attend:
Sunday of the first weekend can be surprisingly manageable
Dress in layers—Sonoma County mornings can be cold
Bring a chair or games if you're planning to wait in line
Don’t forget to explore the rest of the beer list beyond Pliny
About the Brewery
Founded in 1997 and purchased by Vinnie and Natalie in 2003, Russian River Brewing Company has become one of the most influential breweries in the craft beer movement.
Known for legendary beers like:
Pliny the Elder
Pliny the Younger
Blind Pig IPA
The brewery continues to define West Coast craft beer.
🍺 Crack One Open
Blind Pig IPA vs. Pliny the Elder — Which Russian River IPA Wins?
After getting to chat with Vinnie Cilurzo ahead of the Pliny the Younger release, I’m inspired to return to two classics from Russian River Brewing Company.
Pliny the Elder is still a masterclass in balance—an 8% double IPA that somehow drinks lighter and remains one of the most iconic beers in craft brewing.
Blind Pig, at 6.5%, feels like a throwback to Vinnie’s roots—hoppy, aromatic, and incredibly drinkable. Revisiting it recently, I noticed it’s evolved a bit with the modern IPA world, softer and more aromatic than I remember.
So I’ll turn it to you:
Team Pliny or Team Pig?
Leave a comment after listening and help settle the debate. Cheers! 🍻
