Welcome, Matthew!
I've lived within walking distance of Russian River and a few other breweries here in Santa Rosa for 9 years now. Yesterday was the first time I saw an opportunity to taste Pliny the Younger, just to see what it was all about.
So I found out, and walked home with a bit of a buzz.
It's good beer, but like you, I can't quite see what all the hype is about. I like two or three of their other beers better.
But then I'm mostly a wino anyway.