Russian River Brewing Company

Vinnie Cilurzo

Russian River Brewing Company was created in 1997 when Korbel Champagne Cellars of Guerneville, California decided to try their hand at brewing beer.[2] Brewer Vinnie Cilurzo was hired as brewmaster. Brettanomyces, Cilurzo's favorite component of lambic beers, were first used with local wine barrels in 1999 for production of sour beers.[3] Korbel quit the brewing business, and sold the brewery to Cilurzo and his wife Natalie in 2002. Russian River, remodeled and expanded in 2004, eventually moving to Santa Rosa, at their current 4th Street location. Cilurzo is regarded as one of the most innovative microbrewers in the country[4] and credited with inventing the beer style Double India Pale Ale, known alternately as Imperial IPA, when he was the head brewer at Blind Pig Brewing Company in Temecula, California.

Plans to open a second location in Windsor, just north of Santa Rosa, began before the 2017 Sonoma County fires. In 2016, the Cilurzos partnered with Comerica to finance the project,[5] and the Windsor Planning Commission approved the new brewery, pub, and restaurant the following year.[6] By September 2018, the new brewery was completed and operational.[7] The Windsor facility opened its doors to customers that October.[8] The Windsor facility is differentiated from the Santa Rosa location by its larger size, free parking, expanded menu, and guided brewery tour. The Cilurzos hoped that the two locations would give tourists and local customers the opportunity "to come and spread out and enjoy the experience on their own terms," especially during the annual Pliny the Younger release, which sometimes resulted in lines around the block.[9] Windsor officials hoped that the new location would be a financial boon and make the city more attractive for similar businesses,[10] and the city's "Windsor Hopper" shuttle service, linking local hotels, wineries, and breweries, was unveiled coinciding with the 2019 Pliny release.[11]

In addition to the 20 barrel brewpub (capable of about 3000 barrels per year),[12] Russian River also has a 50 barrel production brewery, originally from Dogfish Head Brewery.[13] In late 2014, the production facility is being updated with a four vessel, 50 barrel brewhouse made by AAA Metal Fabrication in Beaverton, Ore.[14] Russian River has distributors in California, Colorado, Oregon, and Pennsylvania.[15] The company also distributes to 500 restaurants, bars, and other stores.[15] A coolship is used to cool the wort for some of the beers.[16] Barrels of beer are stored in their barrel warehouse and begin tasting after 9 months, though can be aged up to two years before blending.

Russian River Brewing Company and Vinnie Cilurzo have won numerous awards for their beer.

• California breweries

• Official website