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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!

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Exciting day here at RRBC Windsor! Our production team is busy with bottling and kegging while the rest of us are running around getting ready for the big release! Our 21st Annual Pliny the Younger release begins this Friday March 21st. Younger will be available on tap and in bottles through Thursday, April 3rd at both our Santa Rosa and Windsor pubs. For the complete scoop please check out our website here:
https://www.russianriverbrewing.com/pliny-the-younger-release/
Hope to see you at Pliny the Younger 2025! 🍻#plinytheyounger2025 #rrbccrew

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Exciting day here at RRBC Windsor! Our production team is busy with bottling and kegging while the rest of us are running around getting ready for the big release! Our 21st Annual Pliny the Younger release begins this Friday March 21st. Younger will be available on tap and in bottles through Thursday, April 3rd at both our Santa Rosa and Windsor pubs. For the complete scoop please check out our website here: https://www.russianriverbrewing.com/pliny-the-younger-release/ Hope to see you at Pliny the Younger 2025! 🍻#plinytheyounger2025 #rrbccrew

Check out the amazing designs for our Pliny the Younger 2025 tattoo collab with @faithtattoo ! Head to their shop at the corner of 5th and D st in Santa Rosa (just across the street from the parking lot) while you are waiting in line to commemorate this year’s Younger release! ***Make sure you get your hand stamped by our RRBC staff and coordinate with those around your spot before leaving line***

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Check out the amazing designs for our Pliny the Younger 2025 tattoo collab with @faithtattoo ! Head to their shop at the corner of 5th and D st in Santa Rosa (just across the street from the parking lot) while you are waiting in line to commemorate this year’s Younger release! ***Make sure you get your hand stamped by our RRBC staff and coordinate with those around your spot before leaving line***

Pliny the Younger is back in black! Younger 2025 merch is now available for shipping in our online store!

Link in bio!

FYI if you`d rather head to our pub gift shops and grab a pint while you shop, Younger merch will be available beginning this Thursday.

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Pliny the Younger is back in black! Younger 2025 merch is now available for shipping in our online store! Link in bio! FYI if you'd rather head to our pub gift shops and grab a pint while you shop, Younger merch will be available beginning this Thursday.

HOPPY Friday! Three fresh IPA`s in a mixed 12-pack are now available in our online store!

📣Bring Back Brewer`s Gold Hazy IPA📣
Brewed with Brewer’s Gold, a hop variety over 100 years old that had largely faded into obscurity, this beer represents a collaboration between Vinnie and CLS Farms. Together, they revived this classic hop by combining modern growing and kilning techniques with innovative brewing methods. (Also available in 12-packs).

🚣🏽‍♂️HopFather IPA🚣🏽‍♂️
This beer is all about the hops! Brewed with Brewer’s Gold, Amarillo and Centennial hops. Hopfather has notes of black currant, stone fruit, citrus, and floral. This is truly one of our house favorites- just ask any employee! (Also Available in 12-packs)

👨‍⚕️Docta-Ron New Zealand IPA👨‍⚕️
Docta-Ron was first brewed in May 2023 when renowned New Zealand hop breeder Dr. Ron Beatson visited Russian River Brewing to collaborate with Vinnie in the pilot brewery. Inspired by Vinnie’s passion for Nectaron, the unique hop developed by Dr. Ron, they created a Nectaron-focused beer, complemented by other New Zealand hops from Dr. Ron’s previous breeding work.

Also available in both pub gift shops!

Link in bio!

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HOPPY Friday! Three fresh IPA's in a mixed 12-pack are now available in our online store! 📣Bring Back Brewer's Gold Hazy IPA📣 Brewed with Brewer’s Gold, a hop variety over 100 years old that had largely faded into obscurity, this beer represents a collaboration between Vinnie and CLS Farms. Together, they revived this classic hop by combining modern growing and kilning techniques with innovative brewing methods. (Also available in 12-packs). 🚣🏽‍♂️HopFather IPA🚣🏽‍♂️ This beer is all about the hops! Brewed with Brewer’s Gold, Amarillo and Centennial hops. Hopfather has notes of black currant, stone fruit, citrus, and floral. This is truly one of our house favorites- just ask any employee! (Also Available in 12-packs) 👨‍⚕️Docta-Ron New Zealand IPA👨‍⚕️ Docta-Ron was first brewed in May 2023 when renowned New Zealand hop breeder Dr. Ron Beatson visited Russian River Brewing to collaborate with Vinnie in the pilot brewery. Inspired by Vinnie’s passion for Nectaron, the unique hop developed by Dr. Ron, they created a Nectaron-focused beer, complemented by other New Zealand hops from Dr. Ron’s previous breeding work. Also available in both pub gift shops! Link in bio!

WE LOVE LA West Coast Pils will be released tomorrow at both pub locations and in our online store! Proceeds will be donated to the United Way’s Wildfire Response Fund. Having been through our own share of wildfires in Sonoma County, we know all too well the emotional and financial toll disasters have on individuals and entire communities. It’s a huge honor to provide much-needed funds and relief efforts for our friends, family and neighbors to the south as they start the long road to recovery. Donate today! Link in bio. #welovela

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WE LOVE LA West Coast Pils will be released tomorrow at both pub locations and in our online store! Proceeds will be donated to the United Way’s Wildfire Response Fund. Having been through our own share of wildfires in Sonoma County, we know all too well the emotional and financial toll disasters have on individuals and entire communities. It’s a huge honor to provide much-needed funds and relief efforts for our friends, family and neighbors to the south as they start the long road to recovery. Donate today! Link in bio. #welovela
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