Pliny the Elder
Name – Pliny the Elder
Country – United States
Type – American Double IPA
Appearance – Poured an ever so slight hazy yellow color with a decent white head. It left a good amount of lacing on the glass.
Smell – Big grapefruit and other citrus hops in the nose.
Taste – More grapefruit hops with some pine flavor present as well. It has a decent malt backing to it.
This one tends to be one of the most sought after beers by beer geeks. I’ve oddly had the pleasure of trying it on three separate occasions in the past couple weeks. While it is good I do believe it is over hyped. I always enjoy the big IPAs with lots of grapefruit hops and this one definitely delivered that. I don’t know I guess I just prefer Maharaja as my favorite DIPA so far.
Don’t forget that I reviewed this at Dos Beerigos as well on their scale and it can be read here.
Overall Grade – B+
Posted on March 10th, 2010 under Double IPA, Grade B • Tags: Russian River. • 
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March 10th, 2010 at 10:39 am
I’ve heard that Pliney the Younger is actually better, but you can’t get it. I’d just like the opportunity to try either of them.
March 10th, 2010 at 10:48 am
Pliny the Younger does have a higher rating but it is only available off draft, atleast right now.
March 10th, 2010 at 10:51 am
Yeah,
like Don I’d love the opportunity to try either. I’m with you though…I think Maharajah is my favorite DIPA.
March 10th, 2010 at 10:52 am
Wait…take it back. It might be Unearthly Oaked by Southern Tier.
March 10th, 2010 at 11:19 am
Pliny the Younger is definitely the higher rating one of the two Plinys. It has also caused quite a stir in Philly recently. Read my latest article about that.
Nate I have a bottle of the regular Unearthly that I’ll probably have tonight. I’m looking forward to it. Southern Tier just got here last week and I have enjoyed everything from them that I have tried so far.
March 10th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
Thank you for posting this. I have the same feelings on Pliny. Good but not great. I reviewed quite a while ago but here’s what I thought. http://thankheavenforbeer.com/2009/07/28/probably-picking-a-fight-a-review-of-pliny-the-elder/
March 10th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
The more I talk about it with people I seem to see more that do believe it is over hyped. They all agree it’s good but definitely not anything worth selling a family member for.
March 10th, 2010 at 7:54 pm
Hey Mike,
Good review. I agree… I had some PtE here at home and then I had some Bells Two Hearted Ale… and I bet in a blind tasting many folks would take the Bells.
Of course the 8% ABV of PtE makes comparing these 2 head to head a bit odd perhaps.