How do I master the line (and not get kicked out)? No matter how pumped you are about Pliny, waiting in line for hours can be boring, and bored people do silly things. Therefore, there are rules: no smoking, no drinking, no bottle sharing (in line or inside the brewpub), no camping in front of businesses (leave your pop-up tents and easy-ups at home), and come with your entire party - don't cut in front of people who have been waiting for hours because "your friends saved your spot" - that's not cool.

Russian River Brewing Company owner Natalie Cilurzo offers a test of Pliny the Younger. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

What happens once I get inside? For customers who wish to brave the notoriously long lines and typically crummy winter weather, Russian River has imposed a limit of three Youngers and three hours inside the pub, per person. They keep track of this with three-tabbed wristbands — not, disappointingly, with chalk marks like meter maids. (Tabs are removed as Youngers are poured.) The limits, set in place in 2015, meant that the brewpub only ran out of the daily Pliny allocation once in that year — a significant improvement over years past. Inside the taproom, Plinys can be paired with pub fare. Naturally, “Pliny” bites are the most popular pick, but “Drew” bites are also worth a try.

Beer lovers taste their Pliny the Younger during the 2017 release. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

What does Pliny taste like? Pliny the Younger is a rendition of other Russian River favorite Pliny the Elder, except with more hops, malt, and higher alcohol (the beer finishes around 10.25 percent AVB). The hops used in the recipe are Simcoe, Warrior, Chinook, Centennial, Amarillo, CTZ, Comet and Azacca. According to those in the know (and Russian River's website), it is loaded with hop flavors and is surprisingly smooth and dry for the amount of alcohol and malt.

Who is this Pliny character anyway? And how do I pronounce Pliny? Gaius Plinius Caecilius Secundus, a.k.a Pliny the Younger, was a lawyer, author, and magistrate of ancient Rome. Pliny’s uncle, Pliny the Elder (also a Russian River beer), helped raise and educate him, and later adopted him. Pliny Jr and Pliny Sr witnessed the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD, which took Pliny the Elder’s life. While most people pronounce the popular beer “ply-knee,” the “correct” Latin pronunciation is actually “plih-nee” – rhyming with “mini.” Pliny people are apparently not as particular about proper pronunciation as they are about their pints.

I’m from out of town, where is a good place to stay? And how do I get around after I've had my share of Plinys? Russian River Brewing Company has partnered with a number of local hotels that are extending "Special Younger Rates" during the two-week release: Flamingo Hotel, Sandman Hotel, Courtyard by Marriott and The Astro Motel in Santa Rosa, Oxford Suites Sonoma County in Rohnert Park, Calderwood Inn and Grape Leaf Inn in Healdsburg, and Hampton Inn and Suites in Windsor. Want to explore Sonoma County post Pliny? Uber and Lyft are available in Santa Rosa.

A bottle of Pliny the Elder (Courtesy of Sonoma Magazine)

What if I am pining for Pliny, but am not willing to wait in line for hours? No worries. Pliny the Younger’s close relation, Pliny the Elder, is available year-round — bottled or on tap. If you want to sample more Sonoma County brews, we've got a craft beer weekend itinerary just for you.

Russian River Brewing CompanyRussian River Brewing Company

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