Redemption - Russian River Brewing Company

ColForbin

New Hampshire

4.43/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I ordered this beer direct from the brewery. It is batch 001, and is presented in a corked and caged 750ml bottle that states that the beer is "refermented in the bottle with Brettanomyces"

Explosively carbonated with a thick white head that fills up half of my snifter. The head sits atop a golden colored ale reminiscent of a slightly cloudy Duvel. Aroma is sour and funky and earthy with some peppery notes as well. Taste is sour and dry and a tiny bit sweet. Light bodied with a lot of very fine carbonation.

This is an amazingly complex beer for only 4.8%. I would drink this all the time if I could - it is the perfect "session" Belgian style. I can't wait to try the Damnation.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2006 00:59:16 | More by ColForbin

mattcrill

Ohio

3.48/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to cmaruschak for the sample.

Batch 001

Appearance: A cloudy straw colored pour with a sudsy white cap.

Smell: Cloves, a light yeasty aroma, crackers, and orange zest.

Taste: Strong yeast (makes sense since the label said they did a Brett yeast addition to the bottle). I can't get past the clovey, yeasty taste. It's good but fatiguing to the palate.

Mouthfeel: Light bodied and highly carbonated.

Drinkability: Easy drinking but the yeast is off putting after a while. Pretty one dimensional but well crafted.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2006 23:47:40 | More by mattcrill

Dogbrick

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Muchas gracias to cmaruschak for sharing. Batch 001: Cloudy pale golden color with a medium off-white and foamy/fizzy head that dissipates steadily. Spotty lacing does not stick too much. Sweet aroma of cloves, hay and yeast. Light-bodied and soft on the palate with flavors of tropical fruit and sweet spices, along with touches of earthy malt. Citrus zest is apparent at times too. The finish is dry and zesty at first, and leaves a lingering yeast flavor. Straightforward and clean, it’s not the most complex RR beer I have tried but works well for what it is.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2006 21:26:39 | More by Dogbrick

Gueuzedude

Arizona

4.75/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle, Batch 001, Sampled January 2006
This beer is already explosively carbonated; I turned my eyes for a split second after popping the cork and the bottle foamed up and disgorged about a third of its contents onto my counter & floor (oh well the dogs enjoyed the mess). The beer pours a hazy gold color (with a definite contribution from the sediment kicked up from the bottom of the bottle) and is topped by a quickly disappearing, initially four-finger thick, pale white head. The Brettanomyces has already set in to the aromatics as well; musty notes are mixed with a sharp light acidity and some notes of urea even. It is almost like a musty cotton ball, or at least what I would imagine one smelling like. I get some notes of lemon zest, hints of ginger and something like the aroma of grains of paradise. The Brett has really added quit a bit to the nose. I really like the nose on this one.

The beer is sharp, which is a combination of the prickly carbonation and a light lemon like acidity. The Brettanomyces character, while definitely evident, is not as pronounced as it is in the nose. The Brett adds some light mustiness; it almost evokes a bit of cotton mouth astringency. The beer is quite light, but has oodles of character. The light palate in combination with the lemon-like notes almost make this refreshing, and definitely so for a beer.

I am a sucker for these light, yet full flavored, Belgian-inspired beers. Especially with a touch of Brett; in fact the Brett really makes this beer. I don't need all that boozy alcohol, and in your face malt and hops, give me complexity and flavor in a light refreshing tipple and I will be a happy man. I am a bit afraid that these are not going to last long, they are already incredibly carbonated, much more of it and the bottles are going to start exploding (though I did serve this on the warm side, about 58°F). I will definitely cold store these from here on out, hopefully I can eke out a couple months more of age.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2006 20:32:21 | More by Gueuzedude

Bitterbill

Wyoming

4.22/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from bottle a cloudy yellow with a thick and billowy head that settled down after a few minutes....but not much. ;^)

The smell is clove spicy and there's also a fruity air to it but it's hard for me to pick out *which* fruit.

The taste is a spicy mix of clove and pepper and there is some citrusy fruit and a bit of banana in the background. An unusual tasting brew, for me, but the end result is that it works nicely.

Overall, this is a very good session Belgian style ale. I recommend it.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2006 23:29:31 | More by Bitterbill

GClarkage

California

4.38/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

01/15/06- Purchased at Ledger's Liquors in Berkeley, CA.

Presentation- 750ml caged and corked bottle. First batch brewed and bottled. Poured into my St. Bernardus chalice.

Appearance- Clouded golden-orange elixer. 3/4 or so head at first pour. Shrinks to a light ring after a few minutes. Spotty lacing here and there.

Smell- Nice scent with your typical white pepper, corriander and maybe a touch of clove.

Taste- Lightly sour flavor at first sip. Leaves a tiny bit of hop bitterness after the swallow. Nice punch of white pepper and clove. Not a whole lot of corriander. Has a fried plantain-like taste without the sugary sweetness (or a touch of a very ripe banana).

Mouthfeel- Very carbonated. Almost champagne like. Nice spice and pepper aftertaste.

Drinkability- Yet another well done brew by Mr. C at Russian River. This would be a great summer brew.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2006 02:15:00 | More by GClarkage

TheLongBeachBum

California

4.6/5  rDev +13%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Batch 001.
(Brewed on 1-Nov-05 and Bottled on 30-Nov-05)
Primary: R.R. Belgian Ale Yeast 1
Conditioning: R.R. Wine1 & **Brettanomyces**

Described (Website) as;
5.0%ABV / 1.048 O.G / 23 BUs
Redemption: Redemption is the younger sister to our award-winning ale, Damnation. Fashioned after a Belgian-style "single," this ale is rarely brewed in America, let alone Belgium. Typically, "singles" are brewed only at the Trappist Monasteries for the monks to enjoy with meals. They often drink only half a bottle with lunch and the rest with supper, despite the beer's low alcohol content. Redemption is modest in strength, robed in warm golden hues, and soft on the palate with a smooth dry finish.

The **bottled** version is however listed at **4.8%**, a lower ABV to that described on the Website (above) I noted. In addition to that, it is **Refermented in the Bottle with Brettanomyces**. Yum!!


Presentation: Picked up four 750’s of the newly bottled Redemption whilst on a recent trip to Russian River over the New Years weekend. Dark blue label has most of the above blurb on it and Two Egg-Timers indicating that it will keep for up to 2 years.

Appearance: Shining golden body, polished aura with a very slight milky haze. Fast rising streamers plummet and crash into a deep thick white head. Bubbled sheet like lacing forms when the Glass is tilted and disappears as soon as it is righted. The longevity of the white Vicars collar lends a fantastic Duvelian showcase.

Nose: Boulangerie laden aromas; yeast, proving ovens, baked bread and fresh from the oven Danish pastry kick start the relay race. A quick switch to a zingy middle section reveals a tangy lemon citric, especially as the head settles down, the last handover reveals a sharp hoppy but lightly spiced character.

Taste: Pretty much like the nose but a little quicker out of the blocks to the second leg, the third leg slows and allows the gorgeously balanced Brett to do its stuff. Fruity yet scorching dry last third, banana and clove dance in the background, as does a reticent melon-pear fruit salad sprinkled with lemon juice. Strong parched Brett finish that remains with you.

Mouthfeel: The carbonation quickly flashes from solution and rushes the cheeks. Soft though, with a spritzy character nonetheless. The carbon dioxide is so fine that it lends this a light fluffiness with a long soothing smoothness.

Drinkability: I am into my second bottle; I really don’t trust myself to ensure that the other two bottles I have will last long enough to get to their intended destinations. High carbonation can tend to produce some seriously tangy BrettBurps, through your nose…..oh yeah baby….some would complain, but not me…..this is an all-nighter!

Overall: A Sexy Stupendous Single!!! Waaaay better than the draft version.

……quote from the RRBC Website; “Who knows if we'll continue to add Brett the Redemption to bottles in the future”….

…..WTF!? you’re kidding right Vinnie!? Seems like a No-Brainer to me!!!

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2006 07:50:01 | More by TheLongBeachBum

GeoffFromSJ

New Jersey

4.65/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Appearance: Golden. Incredibly thick head and lacing.

Smell: Herbal notes in the nose. Reminds me of Saison Dupont.

Taste: Duvel with some additional funkiness at the end would be the best way to describe this beer. Incredibly enjoyable.

Mouthfeel: as smooth as smooth can be.

Drinkability: slight funkiness in finish has me coming back for more. A lot like Damnation, which was another fine brew.

Serving type: growler

08-03-2005 01:49:40 | More by GeoffFromSJ

baiser

Massachusetts

3.65/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a pale, hazy yellow body, with a foamy white head, good retention. Aroma of banana, spice and yeast. Taste was very light, refreshing and full of malt sweetness and some fruitiness. Pretty one dimensional though. I much prefer the Damnation over this beer. Finish is dry and clean. Good drinkability.

Serving type: on-tap

08-01-2005 05:51:02 | More by baiser

RoyalT

Ohio

4.15/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance – This one was a very light yellow in color with a terrific retentive head that left some beautiful Belgian lacing.

Smell – The raw Belgian yeast comes out nicely at the nose. The hops are subtle yet balancing as are the traditional Belgian spices.

Taste – The big white pepper and coriander come out sharp at the taste. The yeast makes a big splash as well and carries along the respectful hop balance from the nose.

Mouthfeel – This one was in between light and medium-bodied. It had a tremendous, fluffy mouthfeel and was very smooth on the palate.

Drinkability – This is a great combination of fluffy carbonation and exceptional Belgian flavors.

Serving type: on-tap

03-10-2005 02:03:29 | More by RoyalT

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

watermelonman

California

3.95/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This arrived as a bright but solid golden color. It was described as a junior version of their Damnation, and that was a really accurate statement.

My pint had little head and gave little lace. Banana flavors are present in both the smell and taste but are pretty subtle. The malt profile tastes good but seems a little plain.

No surprises here, the drinkability goes up when the rest of the beer is toned down.

Serving type: on-tap

08-13-2004 07:48:11 | More by watermelonman

Gusler

Arizona

3.85/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Draught @ O’Brien’s San Diego
The beer pours translucent amber with a generous white head that spumescent in texture and the lace a satin sheet to cover the glass. Nose has a nice malt sweetness, a hint of banana or maybe its pineapple, also seemed to be a hint of yeast, fresh and clean to the olfactory senses, start is sweetly malt and the top light to moderate in its feel. Finish is hop spicy, the acidity prickly and I found it to be a good drinking beer.

Serving type: on-tap

06-14-2004 23:47:33 | More by Gusler

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