Redemption - Russian River Brewing Company

Mark

California

2.2/5  rDev -45.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 4 | overall: 1.5

I know I'll probably get a lot of "why do you review Belgian beers" I made a real effort to like them today, getting totally ripped sampling Russian River Brewings impressive line up. This was one I really could not get. This is advertised as a Belgian single. a style that the monks like to have half a bottle of at lunch and the rest at dinner. Appearance was a real bright gold, but very light looking at the same time. Head was white and lacing was good. After that it was all down hill. The aroma and taste profiles were like nothing I have ever come across, it was almost bubblegum like. I'm sure Belgian beer lovers will love Vinnies interpretations, if only for the fact that I don't.

Serving type: on-tap

05-09-2004 04:20:40 | More by Mark

loren01

Oregon

2.55/5  rDev -37.3%
look: 5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

A: Beer exploded all over the place upon popping the cork on this one. Poured a cloudy yellow color, huge head, good lacing down the glass.
S: Slight alcohol scent, also slight herbal maybe chamomile scent, not very fragrant.
T: Doesn't taste like much of anything really, slight yeastiness and thats about it.
M: Light smooth beer, goes down easily
D: Strange brew indeed, I was expecting much more from this one. Awesome in the apperance and mouthfeel catergories however was extremely lacking in the others. Would be interested to have this from the source to see if it was more flavorfull. Thanks to GClarkage for bringing this one up to MT this past summer.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2006 22:38:32 | More by loren01

youradhere

Arkansas

2.6/5  rDev -36.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Pours hazy straw blonde with a fluffy white cap, fine carbonation creeps up the side of my pint glass (ya thats right, I disobeyed the instructions on the cork deliberately, my tulip is sitting dry tonight!) Smells kind of like a bock, sort of metallic, slight hay, sulfurous aromas, not very appealing for me. Taste is bock like, but with a pleasant bitter twang to offset the metallic sulfur notes. Sligh grain flavors, followed by delicate hop presence. Mouthfeel is light, if this were more slick like SN Glissade I'd end up dumping it. Carbonation is medium and prickly, overall not my cup of tea but I'll finish it. Not sure I'd revisit it though. If it werent for the dry bitterness, this beer would be undrinkable for me.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2011 04:03:22 | More by youradhere

dcloeren

Texas

2.63/5  rDev -35.4%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured a murky honey yellow with 2 fingers of fizzy head. The fizz didnt last too long and quickly receded into a thin film

The smell was lacking... got some lemon, maybe some white wine and some honey

Taste was made up of carbonation and lemon. I feel like I am drinking some tonic water with a lemon wedge...

Light bodied with an obscenely amount of carbonation. Slight drying aftertaste...

Overall, I am thoroughly disappointed in this beer. A- my ass. This beer only receives the reviews it gets because it is a Russian River beer. If this beer was made by a lesser known brewery, it would not be getting the scores it has. Just another over rated beer on this site.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2011 01:57:51 | More by dcloeren

barleywinefiend

Washington

2.75/5  rDev -32.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A: Poured a straw yellow color with good carbonation leaving a nice white cap, some bubbles and lacing

S: Hay, lemon tartness and barnyard funk

T: A lemony tartness upfront, with some hay, barnyard funk, tad honey, a dry and light bite on the end

M: Light body, perhaps a tad to much carbonation, bland, tartness and funk

O: Not sure what RR was going with this.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2011 04:09:57 | More by barleywinefiend

psuKinger

Pennsylvania

2.93/5  rDev -28%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Bottle from Batch #008 (Brewed 8/4/2010, bottled on 9/1/2010) poured into my Penn State pint glass. I've never had this, and I'm not sure if I've ever had anything like it, so I have no pre-conceived notions going in.

A: Pours a very light yellow color with a thick frothy 2+ finger white head on top.

S: The nose is very yeasty, and I pick up some spiciness and maybe a hint of alcohol.

T: Taste follows the nose. Very yeasty, with some "spiciness" to it, this reminds me of basically a "light triple". I pick up notes of lemon zest also, and I lack the vocabulary necessary to better describe that "spiciness" that I pick up.

M: Light and bubbly.

D: This kind of beer just isn't my personal preference.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2011 20:56:34 | More by psuKinger

ccrida

Oregon

3.13/5  rDev -23.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

750 ml bottle (batch 5) from the brewpub poured into my Russian River Barrel Aged beers goblet, Redemption is a clear, spritzy gold with a large, dense white head that's very long lasting and leaves very heavy lace.

Smell is grainy, a touch of honey sweetness and minty hops, with a slightly musty, 'shroom like funk.

Taste is overall pretty simple, a bit heavy plastic phenols early on, fading to dusty, bready graininess with a yeasty finish. I really wanted more depth from the brett, but here it's really just a bit of corkiness.

Mouthfeel is full of soft carbonation, a little yeasty, medium bodied.

Drinkability is OK, a pretty simple little beer, not really my taste, I'd prefer fruitier esters or more brett funk, which is very subdued at this point. I have another bottle, and am in no hurry to open it. Maybe it will funk up a bunch in a few years, maybe it will fall apart...either way, this was boring enough that I'm willing to wait and see.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2008 01:28:19 | More by ccrida

rye726

Colorado

3.13/5  rDev -23.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Batch 009

This was $6 for the corked and caged 375ml bottle. Served at room temp, in a pint glass. Hazy straw with a thin beige head. Nose has some light Brett, candy malts and not too much else. Lacks depth. Taste is way too big for the style. Over malted and way too boozy. Not very sour, Brett is quite subtle, but the one thing that is on target for teh style. Medium body way thick for the style. Not a bad beer, but don't brag about being a single when it's not even close.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2011 04:36:24 | More by rye726

emmasdad

Colorado

3.15/5  rDev -22.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Had this one on tap up at the Oskar Blues Restaurant in Longmont, CO. Pours a bright golden color with a big white head. Light peppery hops on the nose, along with bananas and a little Belgian yeast. On the palate, this one is crisp and light bodied, with earthy bitterness, herbal hops and a crisp finish. Overall not bad, but I wouldn't seek it out again.

Serving type: on-tap

10-28-2010 03:02:58 | More by emmasdad

olmatty

Oregon

3.15/5  rDev -22.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance-Golden hued and slightly clouded with a very thin white head.

Smell-Very light aroma of pale malts and just a bit creamy, meaty yeast aroma a whiff of citrus all so light that quite frankly, there's just not much happening in the aroma.

Taste-Light, crisp, pale malts with a hint of honey sweetness in the opening and a clean citrus orange snap with a yeasty middle which gives way to a spicy, bitter tannin finish. Is this the second runnings? Sure tastes like small beer.

Mouthfeel-Medium light body and more carbonated than is apparent at the pour. A crisp wash of the palate with each sip. A significant bitter aftertaste lurks for a long time.

Drinkability-Although this beer grew on me the more I drank it, overall it was my least favorite Russian River experience to date. Based upon style it';s probably closely in line with what it's supposed to be, but it doesn't appeal to my tastes much.

Style ambiguity-This beer is listed on BA as Belgian Pale Ale while the bottle is labelled Blonde Ale on the front, and Belgian Style "Single" implying "single abbey ale" or (AKA monk's table beer) on the back label. To my knowledge and looking at BJCP style guidelines, blonde and BPA are different styles. It would not surprise me in the least to learn that this beer is a Belgian style Singel made from second runnings.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2011 07:34:58 | More by olmatty

patm1986

New Jersey

3.18/5  rDev -21.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

thank you, hulmeville inn, for the great RR tappings on 1 march 2011

a- translucent. dilution. no head apparent and no lacing evident. looks like a tall glass of white tea. very watery, almost completely clear.

s- apples, nutmeg, mild banana, more like banana peel. very faint aromas of said elements.

t- sort of bland. mealy fruit flavors. with some spice, it tastes of mildly cooked apples. metallic aftertaste.

m- very thin, watery. lacks a crispness it seemed it'd have. sort of soft on the palate, too.

d- if the flavor is there for you, this is highly drinkable, quaffable actually. there just isn't enough flavor to keep me satisfied or to pursue another serving.

to be fair, this was consumed after Younger, Elder, and Sanctification, so there's a great chance it was underwhelming in comparison to those strongly conceived flavors. if anything is delightfully subtle in this beer, it was probably lost due to its placement in the tasting. sorry, redemption, it wasn't planned that way. we shall meet again. you shall receive your namesake.

Serving type: on-tap

03-02-2011 05:53:23 | More by patm1986

JAXSON

Pennsylvania

3.2/5  rDev -21.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle, most recent batch. Pours a light, clear honey gold with a large white head. Nose is heavy on Belgian yeast, banana, maybe some lighter fruits. Something kind of earthy in there as well. Flavor profile is a bit thin and flat. It seems to have not yet fully matured to the point where the flavor can really express itself. Of course heavy on that abbey yeast, some musty banana, maybe a little bit of spice. Thin and not that interesting, not really up to par for the style either.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2010 01:55:18 | More by JAXSON

ILikeGoodCider

California

3.2/5  rDev -21.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Enjoyed on 04.16.2011 from a 375ml bottle with a batch #009 poured into a big red wine snifter.

A: Pours a golden yellow straw w/an soft looking bubbly head that leaves a good lacing as it subsides.

S: Light, bready malts with earthy aromas, kind of grassy. An as expected aroma for a Belgian single, just not exceptional.

T: Crisp, refreshing flavor. Light, malt flavors with slight hop flavors (Saaz?).

M: Soft, like a feather pillow for the tongue. The level of carbs is medium to high, but it's a softer carb.

D: Quite, this beer is very drinkable, as intended by the style - half at lunch, the other half at dinner.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2011 00:42:19 | More by ILikeGoodCider

rastaman

United Kingdom (England)

3.23/5  rDev -20.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Tap@Russian river Brewpub. Tastes half American influenced and half Belgian. Belgian yeasty lemon and apple, with some piney hops, not too bad, but doesn't quite work in my opinion, still its a very drinkale beer, nothing offensive or anything, pleasant...

Serving type: on-tap

02-02-2005 21:10:02 | More by rastaman

Floydster

California

3.25/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

750 ml bottle acquired in a trade with tevering99, thanks for giving me the opportunity to try this brew

Batch 001, bottle says it can be aged for up to three years, poured into my Duvel tulip glass drank while watching Lost last night

A-Light golden yellow color, over two inches of thin but foamy white head, some retention left a pillow on top of the liquid, lacing most of the way through

S-Brett, slight citrus, some faint cherries, pears, bananas, some hoppiness, earthy and grassy aromas, and a bit of spice, all smells were pretty weak though

T-Tasted a lot better when cold, a little hoppy off the bat with some lemon, oranges, and grapefruit, not as much brett as I was expecting and only left a minor tarty taste, weird funkiness, some bitterness in the finish, bready malt tastes, decently balanced just not much going on, both smell and taste were too light, some caramel, sweeter at first and becomes dryer in the aftertaste

M-Thin body, tons of carbonation, exploded in my face when I popped the cork, taste did not last long, somewhat tarty mouthfeel but more on the dry side

D-Very easy to drink this bottle by myslef, 4.8% ABV, not very heavy, taste does get pretty old though because it does not change much and gets weaker as it becomes warm

My least favorite beer yet from Russian River, very bland for something from this brewery, did not taste like much of a Belgian to me, not enough brettanomyces either, not recommended compared anything else they produce

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2008 08:56:49 | More by Floydster

fdkayti

Illinois

3.25/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- Pours a light, golden straw color with a bumpy white head that recedes quickly but leaves bits of lacing. Cloudy.

S- Funky fresh. The obvious Belgian yeast notes accompanied by a subtler spicey character.

T- Follows the nose. Clean and crisp from start to finish. Has a slight lemon taste which lends to it's slight, mild tartness. Refreshing.

MF- Very light and bubbly, almost fizzy.

O/D- I enjoy this for its clean feel and crispness. Almost seems to be lacking in some area which may just be the result of such a simple, refreshing beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2012 02:07:20 | More by fdkayti

leakyfaucet12

Wisconsin

3.28/5  rDev -19.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This beer has a nice golden appearance that is almost sillky looking. The white head leaves a ton of lacing.

The aroma on this beer is full of citrus belgian funk. YOu smell figs and some apricot. I really enjoy this smell.

Flavor was a little weak for me. The beers has the typical yeast and bread flavors but that is about it.

The beer was almost too carbonated for me. It was also pretty light.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2011 03:18:36 | More by leakyfaucet12

tlazaroff

Virginia

3.28/5  rDev -19.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Wonderful yeasty notes are predominant on the nose bringing memories of freshly baking sourdough bread. Little bits of light lemon coming through as well.

Just tons and tons of carbonation creating a beautiful white creamy head. Straw yellow in color,

Upfront, Redemption is a tad tart and brings on lemon, grain, and bread like no other. The finish actually does remind me of a sourdough loaf. Very tasty, and quite refreshing, albiet almost sessionable. It has a lot of carbonation with a sharp, medium body. Satisfying me right now.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2012 00:59:34 | More by tlazaroff

kingcrowing

Vermont

3.3/5  rDev -18.9%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

375ml corked & caged bottle poured into a Duvel tulip, batch 008.

Pours a really light yellow thats a bit cloudy and a bit odd looking, almost no head, just some light white bubbles. Nose is yeasty and bready.

Taste is very mellow and tame, there's not a lot of character here to me, it's a bit light and forgettable. The mouthfeel is pretty thick and creamy with good carbonation. Finish is crisp, clean and leaves a yeasty flavor.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2011 23:37:19 | More by kingcrowing

schlimenhaumer

New York

3.33/5  rDev -18.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured into an oversized wine glass at altitude in Denver.

A: Pours a clear yellow color with a thin white head of almost no retention. Little in the way of lacing.

S: Slightly funky yeast notes are by far the most prominent, with hints of dark fruits in the background.

T: Complex yeast notes all the way through, with a bit of citric sourness on the finish. While I like the flavors, there’s an overarching watery flavor that puts me off; the flavors don’t linger at all.

M: Light- to medium-bodied with a slightly drying finish and some prickly carbonation. Spot on.

D: Not bad, but not something I would buy again. Certainly my least favorite Russian River offering to date.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2012 16:47:47 | More by schlimenhaumer

ChadQuest

Illinois

3.35/5  rDev -17.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Large volumous head, very clear light light light golden body. The nose is an odd strong crushed white pepper aroma, musty brett, but not at all in a leather/horse style, not at all. The flavor is very unique in an indifferant way, three are alot of interesting flavors, but they arn't super apealing flavors, but not bad in any sort. A lot of salty and peppery soft cheeses and dough, with a hard stale bread wheaty-ness. very light and drinkable mouthfeel, not super crisp in the carbination dept, and this is more enjoyable as a sipper, but it's very easy to drink none the less.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2010 23:18:52 | More by ChadQuest

wvsabbath

West Virginia

3.35/5  rDev -17.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Serving Type - Bottle

Appearance - Golden yellow, tan, 1/2 creamy head

Smell - Floral yeast, lemon, grapes. Some trace of sourness also.

Taste - The yeast which is funky and wild tasting, dominates the beer. Grassy and lemonish but mild and a little bland to me. Much like a belgian wit ala blue moon, has corriander and wheat flavors. Not impressed really.

Mouthfeel - Thin and yeasty. Not much sweetness or diversity to it. Mouth will be mildly bitter but recover fast.

Drinkabilty - This aint for me. Too bland and flavor easy for my taste. I didnt care for the sour aftertaste or the yeasty wheat flavor. Tried once, wont bother again. But as far as drinkabilty, its only 5.15%, if your a fan of this style, you could drink it all night im sure.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2011 07:26:33 | More by wvsabbath

benclimbs

California

3.38/5  rDev -17%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

look is off opaque with a 1 finger head

smell - big time wet dog smell, this mixed with a bit of spice and skunk but can't shake the wet dog character - really dissapointing nose

taste - nice pleasant blonde character with a bit of lagery taste, fniishes with some lemon and some dry hops

overall this is probably the most dissapointing RR beer i've had

Serving type: on-tap

02-17-2011 18:31:41 | More by benclimbs

travis224

Texas

3.38/5  rDev -17%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Batch # 008

Pours a pale yellow, almost lemonade color with a small bright white head. The smell is citrusy, lemons maybe a little banana or clove, not too much alcohol up front. The taste is a little disappointing to me. While this maybe a good session beer there is nothing that really stands out to me. The mouth feel is a bit thin. Honestly, the way it looked was the best thing about this beer and i really like Russian River. I got this in a trade but the sticker on it says $6.99. If I paid that much I'd be a bit disappointed. If it was a six pack that cost $9 or $10 not so much. Maybe I expect too much from Russian River.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2011 02:52:13 | More by travis224

SFLpunk

Vermont

3.38/5  rDev -17%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

375ml brown glass cork and cage bottle at The Drafting Room, PA. Batch 008.

Pours crystal clear pale yellow with thin white head. Nose is dominated by grain husks and wheat, something like smoky citrus. Dense and explosive carbonation is prickly on the palate. Flavors or grain, wheat, cactus pads, lemongrass and hay.

Tasty but not my favorite. Duvel and Damnation trump this for the style.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2011 18:37:38 | More by SFLpunk