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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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Speaking of hop harvest, it’s almost HopTime here at RRBC! HopTime Harvest IPA made with 100% freshly picked wet hops from Alexander Valley Hops. Available on tap and in cans at both pubs and online Friday!

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Open post by russianriverbrewingofficial with ID 18094063954732765
Speaking of hop harvest, it’s almost HopTime here at RRBC! HopTime Harvest IPA made with 100% freshly picked wet hops from Alexander Valley Hops. Available on tap and in cans at both pubs and online Friday!

“It could be the most terrifying motion picture I have ever made!” – Alfred Hitchcock

Join us Wednesday, September 17th in the Windsor Beer Garden for a FREE screening of THE BIRDS, the Alfred Hitchcock classic filmed at Bodega Bay in Sonoma County! Low/beach chairs welcome. No outside food or drink.

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Open post by russianriverbrewingofficial with ID 17854517352524863
“It could be the most terrifying motion picture I have ever made!” – Alfred Hitchcock Join us Wednesday, September 17th in the Windsor Beer Garden for a FREE screening of THE BIRDS, the Alfred Hitchcock classic filmed at Bodega Bay in Sonoma County! Low/beach chairs welcome. No outside food or drink.

We’re proud to be part of Indulge Sonoma this year, a fundraiser for @becomingindependent! Natalie and Vinnie will be pouring RRBC beers along with Sonoma County’s finest food, wine, beer, and spirits!

🎟️ Tickets are on sale now
📅 Saturday, Sept 27 | VIP 11AM | GA 12–3PM
📍 The Backdrop, Santa Rosa

#INDULGESONOMA

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Open post by russianriverbrewingofficial with ID 18002206112643750
We’re proud to be part of Indulge Sonoma this year, a fundraiser for @becomingindependent! Natalie and Vinnie will be pouring RRBC beers along with Sonoma County’s finest food, wine, beer, and spirits! 🎟️ Tickets are on sale now 📅 Saturday, Sept 27 | VIP 11AM | GA 12–3PM 📍 The Backdrop, Santa Rosa #INDULGESONOMA

🎉Celebrate Hops!🎉

🟢SIMCOE 25 West Coast IPA🟢
This year is the 25th Anniversary of Simcoe, the main hop in Pliny the Elder and Row 2 Hill 56. To commemorate this milestone anniversary, Vinnie brewed a West Coast IPA with 90% Simcoe and 10% Mosaic (Simcoe’s daughter). Available for the first time in cans at our pub locations and for shipping, as well as on draft!

🚜HOP GROWERS TRIBUTE IPA🚜
This year, our friends at Mac Hops are celebrating 125 year of hop growing history! Mac Hops was established in New Zealand in the year 1900 and is now a 5th generation hop farm. Featuring Rakau, Nelson Sauvin, Nectaron, and Riwaka hops.
Available on tap and in cans at both pub locations and for shipping, and in bottles and draft for distribution!

Link in bio.

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Open post by russianriverbrewingofficial with ID 17991804428834139
🎉Celebrate Hops!🎉 🟢SIMCOE 25 West Coast IPA🟢 This year is the 25th Anniversary of Simcoe, the main hop in Pliny the Elder and Row 2 Hill 56. To commemorate this milestone anniversary, Vinnie brewed a West Coast IPA with 90% Simcoe and 10% Mosaic (Simcoe’s daughter). Available for the first time in cans at our pub locations and for shipping, as well as on draft! 🚜HOP GROWERS TRIBUTE IPA🚜 This year, our friends at Mac Hops are celebrating 125 year of hop growing history! Mac Hops was established in New Zealand in the year 1900 and is now a 5th generation hop farm. Featuring Rakau, Nelson Sauvin, Nectaron, and Riwaka hops. Available on tap and in cans at both pub locations and for shipping, and in bottles and draft for distribution! Link in bio.

Tomorrow is Hop Growers Tribute IPA release day and Brent from Mac Hops will be arriving all the way from New Zealand to help celebrate! Join us for a pint in the Windsor pub tomorrow late afternoon/evening. 🍻Cheers!🍻

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Open post by russianriverbrewingofficial with ID 18151148212392599
Tomorrow is Hop Growers Tribute IPA release day and Brent from Mac Hops will be arriving all the way from New Zealand to help celebrate! Join us for a pint in the Windsor pub tomorrow late afternoon/evening. 🍻Cheers!🍻
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