Redemption - Russian River Brewing Company

tobelerone

New Jersey

4.08/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Cloudy pale gold colored brew with a big fluffy white head of exceptional creaminess and retention. Lacing is also exceptionally fine and creamy looking. Yeasty aroma is lightly spicy with cloves and pepper; some citrus and a mild mineral note.

Very tasty, combining restrained lemon and citrus pith bitterness with the spicy Belgian yeast notes; resembles an elegant witbier to some extent in its clove spiciness and citrus peel qualities. Its both subtler and more complex than that however; the spices aren't too in your face, and sit rather harmoniously in combination with the hops and a muted but underlying mustiness and very light funk.

Moderately light bodied with medium carbonation; manages to feel both smooth and crisp at the same time. Easy drinking and refreshing, with a lot of flavor for a lowish alcohol beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2012 21:38:34 | More by tobelerone

UCLABrewN84

California

3.98/5  rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at The Surly Goat in West Hollywood, CA.

Pours a slightly murky orange with a beige head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Foamy streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, grain, and yeast aromas. Taste is much the same with a slight bitterness with each sip that quickly fades from the palate. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer with some solid aromas and flavors that make this one quite easy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

06-10-2012 04:50:22 | More by UCLABrewN84

marlinsfan4

Maryland

4.03/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a shiny, cloudy golden color. Nice yeasty aroma. Good mouthfeel, citrus and yeast in the taste. Had this in a beer session with some higher ABV so this was a welcome, laid back beer. Nothing too fancy about it, but it's well balanced and refreshing with a clean finish. Not every beer has to be extreme, and this is a solid offering from RR.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2012 16:18:38 | More by marlinsfan4

Bobheed

Texas

4.63/5  rDev +14%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Very bright golden with slight haze with a shining white one finger head. This beer almost glows it's so bright

S: Belgian yeast, bread, slight citrus notes

T: Lots of juicy pear notes, some green apple, a little bit of citrus and a very small amount of hops. Russian River has nailed the small beer with this one. Nothing too complex or crazy about it, it just has all the right flavors and balanced perfectly.

M: Super crisp and refreshing, thirst quenching, with medium-high carbonation.

Overall I freakin love this one. It might be my favorite pale ale, Belgian or American style. It's just the perfect blend of flavors and is extremely refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2012 03:52:08 | More by Bobheed

megahurts4

Louisiana

4.1/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Russian River Redemption

Appearance: lemon yellow, small head, and some good lacing.

Smell: yeast, citrus, and slight hops.

Taste: yeast, slight hop, and a malt-citrus.

Mouthfeel: medium-light.

Overall: the balance is wonderful. The flavors mesh very well and the flavor is almost light.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2012 01:06:01 | More by megahurts4

ngeunit1

California

4.33/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a cloudy golden-yellow color with a finger of frothy white head atop. The head fades down at a normal pace leaving behind some lacing.

S - Aroma is a mix of lemon zest, coriander, pepper, and some other Belgian yeast aromas, with just a touch of farmhouse funk.

T - Starts off with some lightly tart lemon zest with some coriander and a bit of other light fruits. Through the middle, some pepper and Belgian yeast flavors come through with a touch of farmhouse funkiness. The finish is a mix of tart lemon, other light fruits, and a touch of coriander and funk.

M - Medium-minus bodied with moderate carbonation. Feels smooth with a dry and lightly tart finish.

D - Very drinkable. Very crisp and refreshing. Good balance of flavors and it never feels empty.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2012 04:44:58 | More by ngeunit1

Glibber

Idaho

3.95/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A nice light colored beer with a dense white head. Not a big smell, but a veryeasy to drink pale ale. I have been into Belgian beers lately and this is one of the better ones- although lower in alcohol than some of the others I have been drinking. I enjoyed the carbination-

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2012 04:28:40 | More by Glibber

justintcoons

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a tulip. Batch 011.

A: Murky yellow/gold with 1 finger of head that dissipates quickly. Tiny sediment is suspended throughout the glass. Appears to have low-medium carbonation.

N: Belgian yeast, black pepper, pear and golden delicious apple.

T: Pear and black peppery yeastiness are in the front. This is followed by golden delicious apple, notes of cider, cereal grains and some breadiness. Finishes very light with Belgian yeast and a hint of clove.

M: Light bodied, crisp, clean, semi-dry and refreshing.

O: Pear and apple with subtle spicing and beautiful Belgian yeast notes. Balanced and delicate. Man, does this go down easy. This is a perfect Belgian Pale.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2012 00:50:02 | More by justintcoons

tony223366

California

4.3/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Not quite as stellar as I was hoping from RR. The color is a golden straw color which is really nice. It's a little cloudy which is to be expected and there's some nice carbonation. But where the beer is lacking is in the head. It didn't quite explode into the glass as I thought it would. That's not to say there's not a good amount of white fluffy... rocky head. It's just there's not quite enough. Still a beautiful beer though, especially the visual discontinuity of the head and the beer.

S: I'm not going to lie I can only breathe out of one nostril right now. But! It still smells great. I get mostly that fruity yeasty aroma that I should in a Belgian Pale. The malt comes off in a really bready way. Not quite as grainy as some other Belgians I've had recently. The yeast is totally present and smells great! I can smell some hops but mostly in an earthy way.

T: This beer tastes doesn't have a huge wow factor but it's such a solid, well balanced, drink anytime beer. It's crisp and delicious. For a company that doesn't have any widely released APA this takes it's place in such an elegant way. It starts out in the familiar fruity belgian way. Then it quickly turns into the malts which do now taste more on the grain side. The finish is so delicate. There's a nice balance of the leafy, earthy hops with some of the spice of the yeast and a really well balanced bitter finish.

M: Huge carbonation (great!) and medium fluffy body.

O: Man, this is a beer that I drank and thought to myself, wow this is actually not a stellar showing from RR. But that was my own immaturity. After drinking another sip I realized that this is a Belgian Pale Ale, not an American Wild Ale, not a DIPA this is supposed to be reserved, delicate and beautiful. And guess what? It is! Bravo to a brewery that frequently pushes the envelope to use some restraint and craft and delicate and delicious brew.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2012 05:58:01 | More by tony223366

bump8628

Oklahoma

4.33/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Subtle, elegant, and clean. Corked and caged 375mL bottle poured a light straw color with ample white suds on top. Lighlty grainy, fresh sourdough bread accented by the fruit and spice of Belgian yeast. Mild bitterness and a fragrant blend of flowers and herbs on the nose. I could drink this everyday, save for the price.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2012 17:15:32 | More by bump8628

StonedTrippin

Colorado

4.05/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

this is something different from russian river. at first taste i declared, "this is my least favorite russian river beer ive ever had". after reading the label and hearing it described as a belgian single (huh?!), i decided i like it quite a bit. pours cloudy and very light straw yellow color with a very bubbly white head that fades out but leaves some lacing. smells like wheat malt, sorft of hefe yeast mixed with monk's yeast, and some light herbs, corriander? flavor is very light, wheat malt type base, germanesque for a second, before relaxign into a balanced light ale with tons of great yeast happening. feel is nice, more than nice, like all of their beers, its bubbly and foaming and expansive and clean. i love the feel. body is light light light, but it works with this flavor profile. again, this aint to supplication, but its a nice drinkable blonde ale.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2012 02:32:22 | More by StonedTrippin

fdkayti

Illinois

3.25/5  rDev -20%
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

Duff27

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Batch 10

Half inch white head on a light golden body. Good lacing and head retention.

Funk on the nose, slight lemon.

More funk and a slight sourness (not prominent). Faint citrus and Belgian yeast prescence, well hidden alcohol.

Medium mouthfeel, good carbonation, Dry finish.

Very different than anything i can remember. Would have again. Thanks stupac2!

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2012 02:06:08 | More by Duff27

BilbosNuts

California

4.13/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 375mL bottle into a tulip glass.

A: Pours a clear, pale straw yellow color with a copious amount of carbonation. A one finger, rocky white head sits on top and lasts throughout the drink and leaves some spotted lacing. It has a very inviting appearance.

S: Belgian yeast, Belgian candy, some spices (coriander maybe), and toasted malts make up the aroma. These elements are well balanced as one does not overpower another.

T: Tastes exactly what the aroma hinted towards. A nice balance of Belgian yeast and candy sugar, spices, and toasted malts.

M: Light bodied with a high amount of carbonation which allows the flavors to dance along the palate. It has a crisp, dry finish.

O: This is just a solid Belgian pale ale. No other way around it. Very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2012 02:35:48 | More by BilbosNuts

Forb

Nebraska

4.03/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 375ml bottle; batch 011...

Appearance: Pouring slowly it forms a light inch head of foamy white froth that retains well and laces moderately.

Smell: Yeast and spice press forth most dominantly on the nose.

Taste/Mouthfeel: Light and sharp elements of the yeast come through but overall an extremely dry finish that really leaves a clean palate.

Overall: Very drinkable pale ale with the added Belgian yeast tinge.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2012 00:09:58 | More by Forb

MikeRa

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 375mL bottle into a goblet

A: a nice hazy color with a light head that fades real quick.

S: Has a nice clean spicy and fruity smell

T and M: It has a nice soft taste that goes down real smooth, with nice carbonization from the bottle

O: This is a beer that I will drink again

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2012 05:27:31 | More by MikeRa

evilkalla

Alabama

4.6/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Serving: Bottle into a goblet.

A: Cloudy pale straw yellow color with a quarter inch of head. Lots of carbonation is visible. It glaces the glass fairly well. Very nice.

S: Big-time belgian yeast smell. Very tripel-like. Awesome.

T: Big belgian yeast flavor, with hints of pepper, and lemon and orange peel. Faintly sweet malt backbone. Spicy up front but smooth on the finish. Very, very good.

M: Excellent for the style.

O: Very, very good belgian pale ale. I'm sad that I only bought one bottle when I had the chance.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2012 22:18:23 | More by evilkalla

deebo

Minnesota

4.18/5  rDev +3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A bottle from batch 11 poured slowly into a tulip to allow the yeast to remain in the bottle.

A-3 fingers of large bubbled foam that breaks down moderately fast. A clear (thanks to leaving the yeast in the bottle for now), light golden brew with lots of lively effervescence.

S-Fruity esters with a hint of sourness, hints of clean malt as well.

T-Yeast dominates upfront but is balanced nicely with a fair amount of malt. Slightly sour. A hint of hops gives a bit of an aftertaste, but relatively clean, crisp and dry.

M-High carbonation that works perfectly in this beer-crisp and carries the flavors present. Nice body for this kind of a beer.

D-Outstanding-this is a great beer to enjoy multiples of...now if I just had more.

O-A really nice, well put together beer. Definitely tastes Belgian.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2012 02:04:49 | More by deebo

macrosmatic

Florida

4.48/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into Peg's snifter.

A: Yellow-golden color, clear, only small amount of head.

S: Soft aroma with banana, and Belgian yeastiness.

T: Follows aroma, with Belgian malts & a fruity flavor (banana with hints of berries?).

M: Light mouthfeel. Moderate carbonation.

O: Overall excellent beer, but not sure it's my favorite style.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2012 05:29:48 | More by macrosmatic

gatornation

Minnesota

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

from 375ml corked caged bottle Batch 11

A- pours a moderately hazed golden strw yellow with a 2 finger white head and nice lacing

S - was citrus, fruits, banana and spice, clove ,malt

T- was banana and fruit upfront with some citrus hop, some spices and clove a yeasty malty finish

M-medium carbonation ,a touch of bitterness, crisp and fruity

O- crisp pure golden pale ale with fruit and spice

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2012 16:04:39 | More by gatornation

Goblinmunkey7

Massachusetts

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

Appearance: Hazy gold almost straw. Head is bright-white and pillowy. Nice retention. Drops to a fluffy cap that pulls tight to the edges. Lively carbonation. Some notches of lacing.

Smell: Powdery and a tiny hint of lemon. Hints of Belgian spice and some mild funkiness. So very mellow. Powdery yeast. A touch of grass and musty basement. Pale malts and grains add a bright characteristic to the whole thing.

Taste: Same as the nose, almost identically so. Very mild. Very delicate. Almost floral. Belgian spice leaves some mild peppery notes, but it's a very mild funkiness. Lingering notes of musty basement and a touch of grass. Incredibly light. Very pale. Yeast leaves its own distinct trace that leaves some earthiness on the tongue.

Mouthfeel: Light and clean. So very clean. After each sip it hits with a burst of flavor and then disappears.

Overall: Definitely a solid take on the style. Loads of mild flavor. So much going on, but you have to work for it. Very easy to drink and doesn't seem like it needs any age to improve. Easy drinking, but not a blockbuster from Russian River.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2012 04:22:29 | More by Goblinmunkey7

DCon

Missouri

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

Received a 12.68 FL. OZ. (375 ML) bottle of this in a trade w/ HoppySuds. Poured from the Cork/Wire Capped bottle w/ a Blue Label and a 3 pronged pitch fork into a 12oz SweetWater "15" Tulip Glass. Has Batch 010 on the back of the bottle. Since this is a beer I'm enjoying throughout the Blues vs. Sharks (Game 1) of the playoffs, I thought this blue labeled bottle would be very fitting. Go Blues!

Aroma- Has tons of fruit and banana character from the beginning. Light spices are in the background. Medium-High maltiness in the background.

Appearance- Pours a 1 finger head that has average retention. Has a copper, hazy body that has a blonde glow to it. Leaves a few suds behind.

Flavor- Very sweet fruits and malt from the start. Has very soft characters and finishes with spices. Light Bitterness at the finish.

Mouthfeel- Light-Medium Bodied, Medium-High Carbonation, Effervescent, and prickles with malt on the palate.

Overall Impression- A very nice brew from Russian River but not my favorite from them. Just good all along the ranks. I would definitely grab a sour from them before enjoying this one again. Very close to style. Thumbs up brew.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2012 02:43:25 | More by DCon

DavoleBomb

Ohio

4.2/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a snifter. Batch 011. Thanks to Bilbosnuts for this.

3.0 A: Lightly hazed golden wheat color. Just a finger of frothy/foamy white head that fell quickly leaving no lacing.

4.5 S: Smells like a witbier. Big hay, lemon, and spice (somewhat corriander like too). Some banana, clove, and a light pepperiness. Floral and herbal. Fairly clean with a faint bready yeastiness.

4.0 T: Tastes like the nose. Spicy with clove, corriander, and pepper. Hay, lemon rind, banana. Lightly herbal with bready yeast.

4.5 M: Lighter medium body. Good spritzy carbonation. Light but sufficient creaminess. Good here.

4.5 D: Very tasty beer. RR is a good brewery.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2012 01:32:34 | More by DavoleBomb

garuda

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Batch 008 (about 1 year old)

A - Slightly hazy from some disturbed sediment, bright yellow with a white head that's not as billowy as I had hoped with some retention and lacing.

S/T - Yeast body, sweet lemon candy, grassy, floral, fresh cut hay. Only slightly bitter with lemon zest and grassy hops.

M - Light in body, high carbonation, smooth and creamy acros the palate, finishes crisp and clean.

O - Good beer, would really hit the spot on a hot day.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2012 12:13:55 | More by garuda

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

4.23/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-cloudy golden color with a nice white head and good lacing

S-citrus, bananas, and yeasty bread

T-citrus and yeast, bananas, cloves , floral notes and a nice hop bite

F-medium body with moderate carbonation, nice crisp feel

O-a delicious blonde ale with a great blend of flavors and balance

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2012 23:23:07 | More by MDDMD