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Russian River Brewing Company
725 4th St
Santa Rosa, California, 95404-4407
United States
(707) 545-2337 | map
rrbeer.com
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Biggiekrock627:
Reviewed by Biggiekrock627 from Maryland
4.79/5 rDev +4.8%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.75 | food: 5
4.79/5 rDev +4.8%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.75 | food: 5
Pliny, pliny bites and ability to sample every beer...simply can't beat it. Biggest downside is the wait to get in and the wait for a table once through the first line. Af ter all the waiting the beer is definitely worth it. I recommend getting the sampler first and then getting a full size of your favorite
Aug 07, 2015More User Ratings:
Reviewed by Sabtos from Ohio
3.85/5 rDev -15.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.25 | service: 3.25 | selection: 4.25 | food: 3
3.85/5 rDev -15.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.25 | service: 3.25 | selection: 4.25 | food: 3
Boy, is Santa Rosa far more built up and populated than I pictured in my head. This original street side location is nestled within a full on urban environment that will likely be bustling regardless of day and time, both of course due to the much lauded name they have made for themselves, but also due simply to the population of the surrounding area, which never lets up from those damn jam-packed highways.
Unfortunately the bar was full up when we walked in, so we had to settle for a table, which thankfully there were a few of. Every single person in the place had a pizza in front of them, so the name of the game here was clear. Unfortunately, the crust was a bit dry and bland to my taste, even if the toppings seemed fresh and wholesome.
Service, too, took quite a long time to come to the table, as well as return once our glasses were empty. Sure, it was busy, but it wasn't asses to elbows, and they had an impressive depth of staff to support, so I'm not really sure what the reason was for the delays. It wasn't enough to taint the evening, though it was noticeable.
But we're here for the beer, and as expected, the taplist has a respectable variety on offer, and everything is up to the standards I've come to expect from my experiences with Russian River. I ordered as many beers as I could that I have not previously had the opportunity to enjoy via various shipping and trading efforts in the past, while also revisiting some of their sours. I'd hoped that some of those had become a little more balanced by now, and while they have slightly reduced their acidity, it still was not quite to the extent that the old world purveyors have perfected.
The vibe exudes a reverence for classic and quirky beer memorabilia, somewhat like stepping into a Delirium location, though much less busy to the eye. I appreciated the collection of antique signs, and was surprised to see such a dearth of RR branding on-site.
I'm glad to have finally checked this Mount Rushmore of American craft beer off of my must-visit list, but it certainly was a little less exemplary than I had hoped.
Feb 08, 2024Unfortunately the bar was full up when we walked in, so we had to settle for a table, which thankfully there were a few of. Every single person in the place had a pizza in front of them, so the name of the game here was clear. Unfortunately, the crust was a bit dry and bland to my taste, even if the toppings seemed fresh and wholesome.
Service, too, took quite a long time to come to the table, as well as return once our glasses were empty. Sure, it was busy, but it wasn't asses to elbows, and they had an impressive depth of staff to support, so I'm not really sure what the reason was for the delays. It wasn't enough to taint the evening, though it was noticeable.
But we're here for the beer, and as expected, the taplist has a respectable variety on offer, and everything is up to the standards I've come to expect from my experiences with Russian River. I ordered as many beers as I could that I have not previously had the opportunity to enjoy via various shipping and trading efforts in the past, while also revisiting some of their sours. I'd hoped that some of those had become a little more balanced by now, and while they have slightly reduced their acidity, it still was not quite to the extent that the old world purveyors have perfected.
The vibe exudes a reverence for classic and quirky beer memorabilia, somewhat like stepping into a Delirium location, though much less busy to the eye. I appreciated the collection of antique signs, and was surprised to see such a dearth of RR branding on-site.
I'm glad to have finally checked this Mount Rushmore of American craft beer off of my must-visit list, but it certainly was a little less exemplary than I had hoped.
Reviewed by TheIPAHunter from California
4.48/5 rDev -2%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.75 | food: 3.75
4.48/5 rDev -2%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.75 | food: 3.75
Stood in line today for the PtY release. Got there before opening, so total time in line was about an hour. I really dug the homage to some of the old-school beers via the interior decor. The food was above average, at best, but that's really not why the people come. The beers are amazing, and there's more than enough to choose from. The gift shop was fully stocked and completely organized. Thankful to finally visit one of the OGs in person. Cheers.
Mar 30, 2023Reviewed by MonDak_Joe1953 from Minnesota
4.55/5 rDev -0.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.25
4.55/5 rDev -0.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.25
Certainly a destination brewery, taproom, and restaurant. Address is on a quiet downtown Santa Rosa street, with diagonal parking. Public parking lot available at the back part of the block. The room itself has lots of wood, with a high, open industrial ceiling. Has a long bar and other multi-level seating options. There is a separate room to the left of the front entrance that offers merchandise and beers to go. Very pleasant and helpful staff.
Mar 07, 2023Reviewed by GoBearsWalter34 from Illinois
4.61/5 rDev +0.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.75
4.61/5 rDev +0.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.75
The first obvious thing that jumps out at you s the quality of beer and the price. Even for California, this is probably the best price point for amazing beer anywhere in the world. $6.25 for drafts of some of the best beers I have had, 16oz…can’t believe beat. Carry out for $5.30 16 oz bottles, are you kidding me?? Seated immediately, great food in which my college graduates even liked, priceless. The girls went to Walmart for me to finish!!! I had to wait a little between draft # 1&2 is only complaint.
May 25, 2022Reviewed by Pivopijak from Washington
4.03/5 rDev -11.8%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4 | service: 4.25 | selection: 3.75
4.03/5 rDev -11.8%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4 | service: 4.25 | selection: 3.75
This is a classic bar, atmosphere and decor wise. A fairly narrow room with much dark wood for the bar. tables, chairs and walls. Then one learns from the name of their Irish style stout that the place was indeed a tavern named The Old Vic, before Russian River Brewing. They serve tasting flights 5 at a time on a board that has bottle caps imbedded in it with the beer names on them, nice touch. Pliny the Elder was the favored beer of the five and got six bottles of it to go.
May 19, 2022Rated by not2quick from Missouri
4.59/5 rDev +0.4%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5
4.59/5 rDev +0.4%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5
They have a legendary beer sampler. Pretty sure it holds every beer on tap which is 15 or so.
Jan 19, 2022Reviewed by rorjets from Connecticut
4.4/5 rDev -3.7%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.5
4.4/5 rDev -3.7%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.5
Arrived on a Wednesday afternoon in January. Pleased that there was no line to enter, and the 4 of us got a table right away. The place was close to full upon arrival, and was certainly full when we left after about an hour. Unfortunately due to other obligations we couldn't stay long. I had two of their classic beers - Pliny the Elder DIPA and Shadow of A Doubt Imperial Porter. Both were excellent, but I think I enjoyed the imperial porter a bit more, probably because it wasn't something you get too often. Loved al the old beer signs hanging around the place, and picked up some merch on the way out. I'm hoping this isn't my only trip to RR, but if it is I had a great time there!
Jan 29, 2020Reviewed by ManapuaMan from Massachusetts
4.58/5 rDev +0.2%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.25
4.58/5 rDev +0.2%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.25
Windsor Brewery...new new new and huge huge huge. Wow! What a large setup that caught me off guard. Full disclosure- I've never been to the Santa Rosa pub.
Sparkling new brewery with enough space to brew multiple batches of whatever they like. I had the kids in tow so the space worked out very well - large, distinct spaces for the pub, gift shop (with bottles to go), tasting room that was closed during our visit, self-guided tour (basically you can look down into the brewing and packaging areas) and a large outdoor area to let the kids stretch their legs. I can see this being gangbusters over the summer.
Such joy knowing that you can take home bottles upon bottles of Pliny, Happy Hops, Pig, select -"ations" . Wonderful and easy. Food was solid and reasonably priced. Pliny was snappy and crisp from draft. Beautiful.
Nothing quaint about it - it's a destination that you can spend several hours enjoying, and that's just what we did.
Feb 20, 2019Sparkling new brewery with enough space to brew multiple batches of whatever they like. I had the kids in tow so the space worked out very well - large, distinct spaces for the pub, gift shop (with bottles to go), tasting room that was closed during our visit, self-guided tour (basically you can look down into the brewing and packaging areas) and a large outdoor area to let the kids stretch their legs. I can see this being gangbusters over the summer.
Such joy knowing that you can take home bottles upon bottles of Pliny, Happy Hops, Pig, select -"ations" . Wonderful and easy. Food was solid and reasonably priced. Pliny was snappy and crisp from draft. Beautiful.
Nothing quaint about it - it's a destination that you can spend several hours enjoying, and that's just what we did.
Rated by BWood from California
4.36/5 rDev -4.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.25 | food: 3.75
4.36/5 rDev -4.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.25 | food: 3.75
Pliny the younger release 2019. 15th anniversary. Good experience.
Feb 07, 2019Rated by edsanchezz28 from California
3.73/5 rDev -18.4%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5
3.73/5 rDev -18.4%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5
bring blank growlers, they will not fill ones from other breweries
Jan 20, 2019Reviewed by Psaulnier from Vermont
4.31/5 rDev -5.7%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.25
4.31/5 rDev -5.7%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.25
Finally made it from the East Coast to Santa Rosa to try Pliny the Elder and some of their other brews. Definitely worth a visit and a wait for a table. The pizza is really good too and with a crowd of happy beer enthusiasts of all ages its all good.
Nov 28, 2018
Russian River Brewing Company in Santa Rosa, CA
Brewery rating:
4.13 out of
5 with
63534 ratings
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