Industry Alcoholic beverage Products Beer | Founded 1997 Production output 16,000 barrels | |
 | ||
Headquarters 725 4th Street
Santa Rosa, CA, 95404
United States Owner Vinnie Cilurzo, Natalie Cilurzo | ||
Russian River Brewing Company is a brewery and brewpub in downtown Santa Rosa, California. The company makes strong India pale ales and sour beers.
Contents
History
Russian River Brewing Company was created in 1997 when Korbel Champagne Cellars of Guerneville, California decided to try their hand at brewing beer. 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. 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 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.
Production
In addition to the 20 barrel brewpub (capable of about 3000 barrels per year), Russian River also has a 50 barrel production brewery, originally from Dogfish Head Brewery. In late 2014, the production facility is being updated with a four vessel, 50 barrel brewhouse made by AAA Metal Fabrication in Beaverton, Ore. Russian River has distributors in California, Colorado, Oregon, and Pennsylvania. A coolship is used to cool the wort for some of the beers. 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.
Barrel aged
(All of Russian River's barrel-aged beers contain brettanomyces, many contain lactobacillus and pediococcus)
Collaboration
Awards
Russian River Brewing Company and Vinnie Cilurzo have won numerous awards for their beer.