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About Us

Our History

About RRBC

Russian River Brewing Company was founded by Korbel Champagne Cellars in Guerneville, CA, in 1997. Vinnie was hired as the brewery’s brewmaster and initially sole employee. For the next 6 years, Vinnie continued to set the bar high for super hoppy and Belgian-inspired beers. Pliny the Elder, first brewed at the Korbel location in 1999, was one of the first commercially brewed Double or Imperial IPAs in America and won numerous awards over the years. It is still our most popular beer more than 20 years later.
In 2003, Korbel decided to get out of the beer business and transferred the rights to the Russian River Brewing Company name, all beer names, and the recipes to Vinnie and his wife, Natalie. We wrote a business plan, found 2 managing partners, and convinced 30 friends and family to invest in their new brewpub venture. In April 2004, we opened the doors to the next chapter of Russian River Brewing under our ownership.
Vinnie and Natalie posting with beers at a Pliny the Younger release
Our beers have won dozens of awards from the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup. Vinnie and the brewery were twice named “Brewery and Brewmaster of the Year” at both the GABF and World Beer Cup. In 2007, Vinnie was awarded the “Russell Scherrer Award for Innovation in Brewing”. We received the “Brewers Association Recognition Award” in 2017. But the most important award of all are the many beer enthusiasts who visit from around the world year after year!
Over the years, we were able to buy out all of our partners and investors. The decision was made in 2014 to build our dream brewery right here in Sonoma County. The search for property took nearly 2 years which allowed us time to assemble our “dream team” of architects, consultants, designers, and contractors. We also received a lot of helpful advice from their friends in the beer industry! We found 15 undeveloped acres in Windsor, CA, and were quickly immersed in the project of a lifetime.
Vinnie and Natalie at Russian River Brewing Windsor ribbon cutting
20 year employees on Russian River's 20th anniversary
On October 11, 2018, we opened the doors to our new brewpub! The entire brewery is 85,000 square feet and encompasses beer production for both clean beers and sour barrel-aged beers, administrative offices, a brewpub, an outdoor beer garden, a gift shop, tasting room/growler fills, guided and self-guided tours, and 2 acres of free parking. This increased capacity has allowed us to distribute more draft and bottled beer to markets in which we currently sell as well as open up some new territories within the state of California. The original Downtown Santa Rosa location continues to thrive offering small batch brews and tasty pizza. Vinnie, Natalie, and all our dedicated employees are excited to share a beer or two at both breweries with you!

Connect with us

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Russian River 110 West Coast Pils is now available on tap and in bottles at both pub locations and out for limited distribution, as well as for shipping in our online store! Get it while it lasts! Link in bio.

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Russian River 110 West Coast Pils is now available on tap and in bottles at both pub locations and out for limited distribution, as well as for shipping in our online store! Get it while it lasts! Link in bio.

Vinnie’s been busy in the pilot brewery! Hear about our two latest RnD IPA batches, 87 and 88, now available on tap at both pub locations!

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Vinnie’s been busy in the pilot brewery! Hear about our two latest RnD IPA batches, 87 and 88, now available on tap at both pub locations!

Our Santa Rosa Brew Pub will be closed tomorrow (Tuesday, January 20th) for cleaning and maintenance. Our Windsor location will be open for normal business hours. 🍻Cheers!🍻

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Our Santa Rosa Brew Pub will be closed tomorrow (Tuesday, January 20th) for cleaning and maintenance. Our Windsor location will be open for normal business hours. 🍻Cheers!🍻

🔢The numbers don`t lie, it`s a beautiful day for a beer! 🍺

ROW 2️⃣, HILL 5️⃣6️⃣ PALE ALE
brewed with lots of Simcoe hops selected from the three original Simcoe-growing families in Yakima, WA, referenced on the front of this label. We have forged not only long-lasting partnerships but friendships with these families and cherish our annual visits during the hop harvest each Fall. Row 2 Hill 56 has a classic Simcoe aroma with notes of grapefruit and pine with a lingering hoppy finish.

RUSSIAN RIVER1️⃣🔟 WEST COAST PILS
hoppy like an IPA, but drinks like a Pilsner. A lower alcohol content and a balanced hop profile makes this beer extremely drinkable. Named for the 110 miles that the Russian River flows from Mendocino County through Sonoma County’s majestic coastal redwoods to the Pacific Ocean! A portion of net proceeds will be donated to Russian Riverkeeper.

Now available in both pubs on draft and in bottles and for shipping in our online store!

Link in bio.

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🔢The numbers don't lie, it's a beautiful day for a beer! 🍺 ROW 2️⃣, HILL 5️⃣6️⃣ PALE ALE brewed with lots of Simcoe hops selected from the three original Simcoe-growing families in Yakima, WA, referenced on the front of this label. We have forged not only long-lasting partnerships but friendships with these families and cherish our annual visits during the hop harvest each Fall. Row 2 Hill 56 has a classic Simcoe aroma with notes of grapefruit and pine with a lingering hoppy finish. RUSSIAN RIVER1️⃣🔟 WEST COAST PILS hoppy like an IPA, but drinks like a Pilsner. A lower alcohol content and a balanced hop profile makes this beer extremely drinkable. Named for the 110 miles that the Russian River flows from Mendocino County through Sonoma County’s majestic coastal redwoods to the Pacific Ocean! A portion of net proceeds will be donated to Russian Riverkeeper. Now available in both pubs on draft and in bottles and for shipping in our online store! Link in bio.

We`ve got you covered this Dry January! Our Sparkling Hop Water is available at both pub locations on draft and in cans! #DryJanuary

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We've got you covered this Dry January! Our Sparkling Hop Water is available at both pub locations on draft and in cans! #DryJanuary

Filling the koelschip for the first time this Winter! This beer will spontaneously ferment in barrels then be blended into future batches of Beatification!

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Filling the koelschip for the first time this Winter! This beer will spontaneously ferment in barrels then be blended into future batches of Beatification!

Dry-hopping Pliny the Younger for our upcoming draft distro release! This is the third dry-hop addition bringing the total dry-hop load to the equivalent of 9.5 pounds per barrel of beer, not including hops in the kettle. Kegs start shipping out to draft accounts on February 3rd!

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Open post by russianriverbrewingofficial with ID 17887302060423668
Dry-hopping Pliny the Younger for our upcoming draft distro release! This is the third dry-hop addition bringing the total dry-hop load to the equivalent of 9.5 pounds per barrel of beer, not including hops in the kettle. Kegs start shipping out to draft accounts on February 3rd!

Our Windsor Brew Pub will be closed tomorrow (Tuesday, January 13th) for cleaning and maintenance, but you can still swing by the Gift Shop for beer and merch from 11-6pm or our Santa Rosa location during normal business hours. 🍻Cheers!🍻

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Open post by russianriverbrewingofficial with ID 18099127237681433
Our Windsor Brew Pub will be closed tomorrow (Tuesday, January 13th) for cleaning and maintenance, but you can still swing by the Gift Shop for beer and merch from 11-6pm or our Santa Rosa location during normal business hours. 🍻Cheers!🍻
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