Writer: Vito Delucchi
Brewing With Russian River
Russian River Brewing Co.’s beers have been some of the most sought-after from the time Vinnie Cilurzo was brewing them in their downtown Santa Rosa, California, brewpub. The brewing operation has grown, but the quality, dedication, and appeal hasn’t wavered. Vinnie opened up the brewery (and recipe books) for us to share his story, brewing advice, and five clone recipes with readers.
Russian River Brewing Co.’s Blind Pig IPA clone
“My first version of Blind Pig IPA was in 1994 at my very first brewery, Blind Pig Brewing Company, which was located in Temecula, California. This recipe originated from my homebrew days starting in 1989. Years later after Natalie and I took over Russian River Brewing Company from my former employer, Korbel Champagne Cellars, we were able to obtain the trademark for Blind Pig IPA so we brought her back to life.” – Vinnie Cilurzo
Russian River Brewing Co.’s Pliny the Elder clone
We first made Pliny the Elder in 1999, initially for a Double IPA festival at The Bistro in beautiful downtown Hayward, California. Previous to that, in 1994 I had made what is now considered to be the first modern double IPA in recent brewing history. So making a big, over-the-top IPA was not something new to me. In 2004, after Natalie and I took over Russian River Brewing Company . . . Pliny the Elder became a year-round beer and quickly became our top selling beer, which it still is today. – Vinnie Cilurzo
Russian River Brewing Co.’s STS Pils clone
Because STS is dry hopped using European-type hops, it would technically be classified as an Italian-style Pilsner. However, if you read the side label on the STS Pils can, it says it is a Keller-style Pilsner as we treat it as an unfiltered beer, leaving a little yeast and haze behind. – Vinnie Cilurzo
Russian River Brewing Co.’s Happy Hops clone
As hazy IPAs were gaining popularity, and before Russian River had brewed Mind Circus, our hazy IPA, I wanted to see if I could brew a beer that had all the juicy notes of a hazy IPA, but that was clear to the look. So Happy Hops became what I jokingly called our, “not so hazy, hazy IPA.” It is more of a progressive/modern IPA in that it has a lower bitterness compared to our other IPAs, but it carries lots of rich, juicy hop notes due to backloading the whirlpool with a sizable hop addition as well as a good size dry hop charge. – Vinnie Cilurzo
Russian River Brewing Co.’s Consecration clone
Consecration is a dark ale that is initially fermented with Belgian Abbey Ale yeast. After the beer is done fermenting and all the primary yeast is removed, the beer goes into barrels (this homebrew version calls for oak chips, for ease) with dried currants and Brettanomyces yeast initially. After 2–3 months, the bacteria is added. All of this is left to age in used Cabernet Sauvignon wine barrels until it is ready to rack off the fruit and be packaged. – Vinnie Cilurzo
Thiol Boosting with Grape Skins
Released a couple of years ago, Phantasm powder is a revolutionary product made from thiol-rich Sauvignon Blanc grape skins. Learn how to get the most from Phantasm in your next brew.
Imperiale Beer Project’s Me or the Grapes clone
A hazy IPA with New Zealand hops, thiol-boosting yeast, Phantasm powder, and Sauvignon Blanc.
Trillium Brewing Co.’s Dialed-Out clone
A hazy IPA with New Zealand hops, thiol-boosting yeast, Phantasm powder, and Sauvignon Blanc.
Hop Water
Hop water is the perfect beverage for those times where you can’t drink alcohol but still need your hop fix. Learn the secrets to brewing a great hop water with basic ingredients and equipment homebrewers are sure to have on hand.
Hop Water Recipe
A refreshing hop water that uses brewing yeast to maximizes flavors through the process of biotransformation.
Yes, Homebrewers Can
Cans have become the packaging of choice for craft brewers over the past decade. More recently they have gained popularity among homebrewers as more single-can seamers hit the market. Crack open a can and take a look at home canning techniques and a comparison of systems for homebrewers.
