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Pliny The Younger Named Best Beer In The World (PHOTOS)

PHOTOS: Local Beer Crowned Best In The World
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The Bay Area has a plethora of brewing companies churning out some of the best beers in the country, but one lucky beer was given top honors when Beer Advocate deemed it the best in the world.

Russian River Brewing Company's Pliny the Younger sends beer lovers to bars like bees to honey, all because it currently holds the top spot at the user-drive review site.

(SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE BEER)

Pliny the Younger is almost a true Triple IPA, with triple the amount of hops used in regular India pale ales. But Russian River doesn't make it that often due to the extensive time and space commitment it takes. It's released at Russian River pub the first Friday of February and is available on the market for a mere two weeks.

And if the exclusivity isn't enough to convince you of its royal standing, the rave reviews straight from local beer lovers will. As Beer Advocate user phishphorce, who rated the beer 4.98/5, wrote:

Perfect Beer.

Had 2 10 oz pours. Wow it was great.

All the hype about this beer is true. The best beer I've ever drank. I was stunned at how such a strong beer can be so smooth and tasty and loaded with hops.

Russian River Brewing Company focuses on traditional aggressively-hopped California style ales, Belgian inspired ales and barrel aged beers. The full lineup of ales and lagers is for exclusive use at their pub and for limited distribution.

The Santa Rosa-based brewery is owned by Vinnie Cilurzo, who taught himself how to home brew by the time he was 18 years old. Russian River reopened as a brewpub in downtown Santa Rosa to great success in 2004, and in 2008 a production brewery was added to the mix. The pub has become a community gathering place as well as a beer tourism destination, and free live shows are hosted every weekend.

In honor of this week also being American Craft Beer Week, your editors at HuffPost SF have compiled the best locally brewed beers (Russian River can't get all the credit). And in true Bay Area style, there's something for everyone, from the intense hops of an IPA to a refreshing kiss of watermelon. Take a look below:

Best Bay Area Brewed Beers
Pliny the Younger, Russian River Brewing Company(01 of11)
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"It is almost a true Triple IPA with triple the amount of hops as a regular I.P.A. That said, it is extremely difficult, time and space consuming, and very expensive to make. And that is why they don't make it more often! This beer is very full-bodied with tons of hop character in the nose and throughout. It is also deceptively well-balanced and smooth.Availability: Pub draft only, VERY limited distribution locally and to distributors on draft only, seasonal- released at Russian River pub the first Friday of February and is available for just 2 weeks". (credit:Flickr: Paul David Gibson)
Mt. Tam Pale Ale, Marin Brewing Company(02 of11)
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"This Pale Ale has a Bright golden color, a medium body and a smooth taste. It is brewed with Pale, Wheat and Crystal malts; combined with Cascade, Columbus and Amarillo hops, giving it the perfect balance". Marin Brewing Company (credit:Flickr: backwardsbill)
Prohibiton Ale, Speakeasy(03 of11)
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"This ale is pretty much balanced between a good caramel malt and citrus like hop finish. A good semi-complex brew from SF's Speakeasy brewery". (credit:Flickr: @joefoodie)
Daddy's Chocolate Milk, Elizabeth Street Brewery(04 of11)
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"DCM (also known as Super Bowl Stout once a year) is an English Sweet Stout made with Maris Otter, chocolate, black and Carafa malts and a combination of cluster and UK Golding hops. This "session stout" lives up to its name with a rich and creamy finish". Elizabeth Street Brewing (credit:Flickr: <<1977>></1977>)
Monkey Head Arboreal Ale, Triple Rock Brewery(05 of11)
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"Monkey head is a warming, bottle-conditioned, malty amber ale with slight hop bite and clean finish. Served cold in liter bottles. At 8.0% A.B.V. it's great for sharing with your friends". Served Thursdays only at Triple Rock Brewery. (credit:Flickr: chris makarsky)
IPA, Lagunitas Brewing Company(06 of11)
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"Made with 43 different hops and 65 various malts, this redolent ale will likely float your boat". Lagunitas Brewing Company. (credit:Flickr: fordsbasement)
Downtown Brown, Lost Coast Brewery(07 of11)
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"A smooth, full-bodied nut brown ale, lightly hopped with a hint of roasted and crystal malts. This ale is dark in color without the heavy taste of porter or stout". Lost Coast Brewery (credit:Flickr: radiobread)
Old Foghorn, Anchor Brewing(08 of11)
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"The malty sweetness, fruitiness, unique hop aroma and high original gravity of Old Foghorn® Barleywine Style Ale is to beer much as port is to wine". Anchor Brewing (credit:Flickr: rick)
Hell or High Watermelon, 21st Amendment Brewery(09 of11)
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"Hell or High Watermelon Wheat is a summer seasonal beer available from April through September in six pack cans and on draft. They start by brewing a classic American wheat beer, which undergoes a traditional secondary fermentation using fresh watermelon. A straw-colored, refreshing beer with a kiss of watermelon aroma and flavor". 21st Amendment Brewery. (credit:Flickr: rooksjeff)
Anchor Steam, Anchor Brewing(10 of11)
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"Anchor Steam Beer owes its deep amber color, thick, creamy head, and rich, distinctive flavor to a brewing process like none other". Anchor Brewing (credit:Flickr: speed-light)
Apricot Ale, Pyramid Breweries(11 of11)
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"Apricot Ale perfectly combines the taste and aroma of fresh apricot with the smooth finish of a traditional wheat beer. It's refreshingly unfiltered character and fruit flavor make it an ale worth savoring". Pyramid Breweries (credit:Flickr: swhall72)

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