Sanctification - Russian River Brewing Company

hayesez

Indiana

4.55/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Huge thanks to dabecassis for sending me a couple of these. Been waiting for this to be released to give it a shot. I sure appreciate the generosity, Dave!

Pours a vibrant laser lemon that is very murky and cloudy. A fluffy white head just sits there. As I tip my glass from side to side the head does everything it can to hold onto the side of the glass, stretching as the froth tries to pull away. In time, this leaves impressively sticky blotchy lacing - so far so good!

The nose on this one has a faint funky Belgiany spice that I wasn't expecting (I guess I should have). That "this-is-going-to-be-tart" smell is definitely in there as well. The tartness appears to come from lemons and perhaps unripe green apples. It is a bit tamer than I anticipated, but still quite impressive.

Ah, a very subtle flavor...this is good stuff. Tart, but very smooth and clean. A good kind of tart as well - gets the glands going, but isn't overpowering. Tart apples, pears, and lemon. One of our friends stopped by and took a smell and thought it smelled like wine. Not a horrible assessment, frankly, as there is that white wine taste in there too. Finishes with the slightest tart-bitterness, but also leaves you a tad puckered. A fairly light-beer; I was hoping it would be just a bit thicker and slightly toned down on the carbonation. Minor gripes, mind you...I'm very impressed with the Sanctification.

Easily drinkable...we split this one up three ways and all had trouble slowing down enough to fully appreciate everything going on in there. Sanctification is yet another in a long line of Russian River beers that never disappoint me. I've gotta get up there and visit the brewery one of these days. Great stuff!

Consumed; 8/12/2010

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2010 09:16:27 | More by hayesez

BigbROB

Illinois

4/5  rDev -7.6%

05-22-2013 15:56:42 | More by BigbROB

MarkIntihar

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +3.9%

05-22-2013 13:37:05 | More by MarkIntihar

IPAFan521

Illinois

2.75/5  rDev -36.5%

05-21-2013 22:18:55 | More by IPAFan521

emottram

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -13.4%

05-21-2013 21:27:27 | More by emottram

Ctrauty

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev +3.9%

05-20-2013 01:36:39 | More by Ctrauty

GuzzLah

Illinois

4.14/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A - pours a hazy blonde with a standard head that disappears and forms a ring. No lace. A few bubbles.

S - relatively mild aroma. Leather, white grape, pineapple, green apple and oak.

T - is similar to the aroma. White grape, green apple with a lemony and soft oaky finish.

M - light-medium body. Creamy. Nicely tart and somewhat astringent, but not quite sour.

O - despite being fermented with 100% Brett, I wouldn't call this a funky ale. It's more fruity and tart than funky. That's fine. It's a tasty beer, but it's my least favorite RR sour.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 20:28:42 | More by GuzzLah

ShawnMH

Indiana

4.5/5  rDev +3.9%

05-19-2013 15:27:43 | More by ShawnMH

jakeox

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -19.2%

05-19-2013 00:54:38 | More by jakeox

Stevedore

Wisconsin

4.46/5  rDev +3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

375ml c&c dated 11/27/2012, poured into a Russian River stemmed snifter and quaffed today on a 80 degree afternoon in Wisconsin, 5/18/2013. Cork popped hard, forboding great things for this beer.

Aroma: I get tons of Brett funk along with very tart cherry and vinegar. Tons and tons of it all. It reminds me of a funky chardonnay- its got that sweet tartness along with that earthy funk. A bit one-dimensional but definitely brings its game. (4)

Colour: Pours a hazy straw blonde colour with a ton of head- even as I pour slowly it throws up a massive >3cm head that slowly recedes into a supremely thick white film that is about half a cm. And stays that way. The lacing is spectacular on this Russian River glass. Absolutely amazing and appetizing blonde. (5)

Flavour: Woo! Lots of sour funk up front that makes me pucker up a bit, followed by a more subdued tartness reminding me of cherry and grapes along with a sweet breadiness ending in a vinegary and lemony funk. Very unique flavour profile that I cannot help but savor. Delicious combination of Brett funk, tart vinegar and malt backbone. I've never tasted anything quite like this and I'm very impressed. If this kind of beer was its own category rather than an AWA, I can't imagine anything being much better. I actually would like a bit more tartness on top of the funkiness, but honestly it's world class. (4.75)

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied ale with incredible carbonation that isn't too over the top. A bit dry but stings the palate everywhere it comes into contact with a nice tart funkiness that lingers as the aftertaste briefly. It's very quaffable and refreshing- perfect for a 80 degree day in May. (4.25)

Overall: Russian River does it again. I feel they pretty much own the AWA category at this point in my young sour appreciating life. Very quaffable, full of complex flavours that satisfy my palate without overloading it while not being too heavy on any one particular characteristic. I am a big fan and will continue to seek out the Russian River offerings whenever I can get them. And you should too. (4.25)

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 00:03:37 | More by Stevedore

chossboss

Oregon

4.25/5  rDev -1.8%

05-17-2013 04:53:29 | More by chossboss

OctopusPrim

Washington

4.25/5  rDev -1.8%

05-17-2013 04:17:03 | More by OctopusPrim

deekyn

California

4/5  rDev -7.6%

05-16-2013 04:07:50 | More by deekyn

twenty5

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev -1.8%

05-15-2013 17:41:23 | More by twenty5

Zbeetleman

California

4.5/5  rDev +3.9%

05-15-2013 03:33:59 | More by Zbeetleman

Absolut

California

4.25/5  rDev -1.8%

05-13-2013 18:44:40 | More by Absolut

funkyaudio

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +9.7%

05-13-2013 17:40:46 | More by funkyaudio

Bonko_the_sane

North Carolina

4.75/5  rDev +9.7%

05-13-2013 06:15:36 | More by Bonko_the_sane

FranzBC

Oregon

4.5/5  rDev +3.9%

05-13-2013 02:07:23 | More by FranzBC

bigcat101

California

4.75/5  rDev +9.7%

05-13-2013 00:40:18 | More by bigcat101

PlinyBeMiney

California

4.25/5  rDev -1.8%

05-12-2013 23:22:05 | More by PlinyBeMiney

lpayette

Vermont

4/5  rDev -7.6%

05-12-2013 20:19:27 | More by lpayette

mikeburd1128

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev -1.8%

05-12-2013 17:22:19 | More by mikeburd1128

ipas-for-life

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev -1.8%

05-12-2013 15:45:01 | More by ipas-for-life

HopsHopenstein

Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev -1.8%

05-12-2013 01:26:23 | More by HopsHopenstein