Beer fans brave the heat waiting to taste 2026 Pliny the Younger in Santa Rosa

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (KGO) -- In the North Bay, sizzling temperatures didn't stop beer lovers from being the first in line to taste this year's offering of the famous Pliny the Younger triple IPA.

"The beer's fire, I wouldn't trade it," said Dejon Brown.

Beer lovers are having a moment. Russian River Brewing Company's rollout of Pliny the Younger, the triple IPA with a huge cult following, is now on tap.

"We got here at 7:30 a.m., so we've been waiting almost four hours now," said Joe Romenko.

Extreme heat, showing no mercy in Santa Rosa. The line to taste inside the brew pub was long, stretching down Fourth Street as temps pushed into the 90s.

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"It is really hot, my Irish skin does not do well with it," said Rhiannon Hayes.

"One hundred percent, this is by far the warmest day we've ever had for Pliny the Younger," said Russian River Brewing Company owner, Natalie Cilurzo.

Cilurzo is keeping her guests cool outside with pop-up tents and a lot of ice-cold water with plenty of refills.

"It's hot. While I wait, I'm going to hydrate. I've been here since 9 a.m. I came from American Canyon," Brown said.

In years past, Pliny fans camped out in line, braving the rain.

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"Normally when I'm talking to you, it's freezing cold and raining, so it's a nice change in the weather," Cilurzo added.

Eunice Vargas from San Jose made it to the bar; she said it was worth the wait.

"Love the AC here," Vargas said.

It's her sixth year making a Pliny Pilgrimage. The tasty beer is only part of what keeps her coming back.

"The beer is a plus; we're always going to have great beer here. It's a great time with the beer-tenders, but the community is what we enjoy. Talking with people, getting to know them, hearing stories. It's always great," Vargas said.

Pliny the Younger IPA is available for a limited time through April 2.