Supplication - Russian River Brewing Company

seanwilson530

California

4.34/5  rDev -5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Had this beer during the same trip that I tried Pliney. Wild beer. So much going on. I'm not too much of a fan of wild ales, however this one was very drinkable. Again, a barage (is that how you spell that?) of flavors going off in my mouth. Yeasty, bready, well balanced with hops and the sublte taste of the wine barrel that it was aged in. Not as good as Pliny, but a very good ale to say the least. An enjoyable pint!

Serving type: on-tap

04-18-2013 22:55:14 | More by seanwilson530

BreweryRun

California

4.44/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Ruby color with a small head. Smells strongly of tart cherries and sour grapes and tastes the same. Not an offensive flavor, very tasty. Overall, taste is dominated by a pleasant tart cherry flavor. Of all the sour beers I have had (which is only about 5) this is far and away the best. I would eagerly have a full pint of this which is more than I can say with most sours.

Serving type: on-tap

02-22-2013 05:47:32 | More by BreweryRun

jvillefan

California

4.75/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

A: Deep copper color body with an ivory white head.

S: Dar sour grapes with pleasant sour esters.

T: Very rich sour dark grape and sour apple flavors. There is a slight sweet caramel malt character as well.

M: Thick body with a great bit from both the alcohol and the carbonation.

O: Great beer. Russian Rivers best rotational sour.

Serving type: on-tap

02-17-2013 17:56:16 | More by jvillefan

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

4.78/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

A-Pours a lightly turbid brownish hue. The body is misty, yet semi-clear. The head retains its stature proudly and doesn't waver much. Foamy lacing patches cling to the glass.

S-When initially served, it was a bit too cold and the aroma was stunted. However, as it warmed I really was impressed. A triad of wine, ale and sour yeast. The tart cherries are eccentric and enticing. The distinct Pinot Noir aroma rises and strengthens as the glass warms. Musty, dusty and oaky. The base ale also lends some pleasant malted aromas as well.

T-The flavor wowed me as well. The initial tartness of the yeast and cherries stunned my palate. As my tongue became accustomed to the flavors, I was able to pick up the delectable offerings of the barrel-aging process. Supplication is vinous and bretty while also staying sweet and ripe. I love the must, dust and oak that is found both in flavor and aroma. Perfect level of sourness.

M-Lighter side of medium bodied. Whizzing carbonation. Off-dry. No hints of alcohol. Supplication drinks with epic ease. I licked my lips and they even tasted tart.

O/D-What a success. One of the best Sours I have come across. Deserves its nearly godly reputation. This could turn any wine lover into a beer lover with one quick sip.

Serving type: on-tap

02-04-2013 20:48:17 | More by VelvetExtract

caseyscarb

4.89/5  rDev +7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Russian River Supplication Barrel Aged Sour

From the get go this beer is impressive. After popping the cork you see a beautiful deep amber cherry color, with a nice creamy pinkish-white head, and as the bubbles rise, the sediment cascades downward like a snowglobe.

On the nose I get the soft, yet complex smell of pinot as well as acidic cherry.

The first drink is sure to shock the palate a bit, however thereafter they are received much easier.

The taste is briefly a soft fruit flavor with lemon, followed by the tart punch from the brettanomyces in which you get several flavor profiles of bitter, acidic and sour cherry, and it then begins to fade abruptly into an impressively long and complex after taste that has a floral essence and leaves an oaky mouth feel that ties the whole thing together quick wonderfully.

Overall this was very great well crafted and enjoyable beer.
I guess if I were to find a negative it would be in the price, while I fully expect a barrel aged beer of this quality to cost a bit more, I still felt this was at least $2-$3 dollars over priced for such a small quantity.
But then again maybe not.

Serving type: on-tap

01-11-2013 08:07:26 | More by caseyscarb

claspada

New Jersey

4.13/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at Monks for $5 during Zwanze Day 2012.

Pours a a hazy, dark amber/light brown color with little-to-no head and some spotty lacing.

Aroma begin quite sweet and tart. Initially you get the Brett with a little bit more sweet on the nose though then some of the recent sours I have had. Cherries and other tart fruitiness become more apparent as it warms close to room temperature. Funky yeast continues to evolve more with some light woody aromas as well now as it gets a little warmer; this was turning out to be very nice indeed.

The taste begins with the funkified Brett tartness with a surprisingly substantial pilsner malty sweetness. Deep sour tastes join the party, but not as much as I was expecting. Maybe this is still too "young". Nice notes of dark cherry throughout. As it warms you get some more cherry sweetness with some nice tones of wood mixed in throughout.

The mouthfeel is average with appropriate carbonation for the style. Brett and traditional yeast really help this to finish quite dry with a nice lingering taste of sour Brett. It came off a little bit fuller then some of the other sours I have had, with more of a rich feel despite the loads of carbonation.

Overall this is a really great sour beer. I don't believe it is the best I have had by far but I cannot deny the extremely high drinkability this possesses. Normally I do not seek out this beer because of the high price tag and "average" flavor profile for a sour but for $5 on draft, I'll take that everyday of the week and 2x on Zwanze Day.

Serving type: on-tap

12-02-2012 21:08:39 | More by claspada

srandycarter

California

4.2/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Was hoping for Cable Car on tap at Toronado, but sold out before I got there.

A - Clear copper, small head, spotty lace.

S - Sharp tartness. Don't really discern much else.

T - Nice medium maltiness followed by nice balancing tartness. Slightly band aid.

M - Medium body, low carb, nice balance.

D - Nice substitute for what I was looking for.

Serving type: on-tap

11-09-2012 18:42:35 | More by srandycarter

TheRealBigC

Nevada

4.58/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Wow! What an incredible beer. It's got some serious sour power. The pinot characteristics are very prominent - it's almost like a sparkling pinot noir. It pours a lighter reddish brown color, though, so I guess maybe not "almost like," but in some regards sure.

Anyway, you got that wine smell/taste with some tart cherries and oak flavor. It's phenominal and wholly unique. You'll be hard pressed to find a better sour.

Serving type: on-tap

08-18-2012 06:34:00 | More by TheRealBigC

DarthKostrizer

California

4.05/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at the source

Look: Pours a reddish brown color with a 1/4 inch off white head and ok retention some spotty lace

Smell: Tart cherries sour apples vinegar and a bit of oak

Taste: The flavor is far more balanced than I expected it to be. The beer starts off with sour cherries with some slight funk. This is followed up by a touch of sour apples and vinegar.

Mouthfeel: Just under medium body fair amount of carbonation light and crisp and tingly

Overall: A pretty good wild ale I would drink this again if someone gave it to mel

Serving type: on-tap

08-15-2012 03:01:05 | More by DarthKostrizer

BucannonXC5

California

4.65/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Draft into snifter at KnB Wine Cellars in San Diego, Calif., on July 28, 2012. Two fingers of head when I got it. Honey caramel auburn color. White/tan head/lacing with great retention all around (sides and top).

Smelled dirty rotten fruit, plum, peach, apple, purple grape, cherry, pear.

Tasted Sweet Tarts, Smarties, Sour Gummi Worms, tart, sweet. Nothing like the nose.

Light-to-medium body. Oily texture. Average carbonation. Long sweet candy finish. Consistent and long lasting.

Finally got to try this beer and it didn’t disappoint. Smooth, tasted great and sweet.

Serving type: on-tap

07-29-2012 22:15:46 | More by BucannonXC5

cfrances33

Illinois

4.38/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Tria Rittenhouse in Philly on 7/5/12 and served in a tulip glass.

Pour: Deep copper with two fingers of off white head.

Smell: Tart cherries to the max with a great hay musk.

Taste: Tart cherries and some sour apples too. Sour maltiness on the finish. Vinous flavors lended from the pinot noir barrel aging. Equally pleasant woody characteristics.

Mouthfeel: Really nice tartness that isn't overpowering. Carbonation is really fantastic. An interesting dynamic between the dryness and the tartness. The crisp dry body encourages you to keep drinking, but the tart finish that lingers on the palates demands that you slow down to enjoy this beer because your palate will become too coated with tart cherries.

Overall: Really great sour, but I think I prefer Sanctification

Serving type: on-tap

07-29-2012 22:15:29 | More by cfrances33

williamjbauer

West Virginia

4.79/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Served on tap at the brewery (had bottled as well) in a sniffer

A - Cherry ruby with a 1 finger rose bubbly head with good retention and excellent lacing.

S - Cherries, apricots, pino wine.

T - Such a rich experience. The fruit in the beer lighten the whole affair while the casking flavors deep complex tannins, funky yeast, sourness, and a bit of bready bitter just rock the palate. Great combo of complex wild ale and wine flavors.

M - Medium body, moderate carbonation, chewy, sticky.

O - Got to be my favorite wild ale in the country at the moment. Could drink this every day.

Serving type: on-tap

07-07-2012 17:40:57 | More by williamjbauer

Arborescence

Finland

3.75/5  rDev -17.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Light ruby & copper. Pours a small white head.

Aroma: Strawberries, wild yeast, very fruity. A little bit sweet.

Taste: Quite typical lambic style, but too sweet and fruity for my taste.

Mouthfeel: A little sparkly, medium-high carbonation, medium bodied.

Overall: Nothing special in my opinion. Decent enough beer, and it did grew on me a little as I went on, but many of its Belgian cousins are vastly superior.

Serving type: on-tap

06-10-2012 03:46:39 | More by Arborescence

stephenjmoore

Maryland

4.48/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A- Amber body with some light tan bubbles on top.

S- Smells like red wine with some oak presence.

T- Wow, unlike any beer I have ever had. Wine-like presence is definitely there, with a blast of sour cherries and oak.

M- Crisp, clean, leaves with a sweet presence.

O- Not really sure what to say, it's unique, different, incredibly complex and an experience in itself.

Serving type: on-tap

06-01-2012 17:15:17 | More by stephenjmoore

jethrodium

California

4.1/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Bobby G's. 5/17/12. Batch 10. Pours a reddish brown amber with a small white head settles to a ring and leaves some very light lacing on the glass. The aroma has lots of lactic acid. Cherry, funky earthiness, slight hop presence, and a hint of acetic acid. The taste is tart with a light initial sweetness. Lots of lactic, decent amount of cherry, and just a bit of brett funkiness. The finish is tart and drying with a bit of acetic acid. Medium body. Medium carbonation. Certainly one of the best regularly available sours.

Serving type: on-tap

05-22-2012 00:18:46 | More by jethrodium

WeedKing4

Ontario (Canada)

4.78/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Had this at the brewery. Pours a dark, ruby amber. Tastes quite sour, but it's not overpowering. In fact it tastes fucking awesome. LOts of sour cherry notes that just made my mouth water. A little bit of tartness with each sip too. I wish I had another pint right now.

Serving type: on-tap

05-01-2012 00:06:50 | More by WeedKing4

GJ40

North Carolina

5/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I had this on tap at the brewpub. This may just be my favorite RR sour. It's got a big sour bite but a rich flavor that goes beyond that. The fruity and woody notes help make every sip as interesting as the last. I just can't get enough of this one.

Serving type: on-tap

04-20-2012 13:28:06 | More by GJ40

mdagnew

United Kingdom (Northern Ireland)

4.35/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

375ml bottle bought online from the Cracked Kettle, Amsterdam... this bottle is probably 3-4 years old...

Poured a clear coppery brown colour with a tinge of reddy pink... lightly tan head poured quite foamy and disappeared slowly to thin coating... fair amount of carbonation bubbles to the surface... no real lacing at all..

Aroma - Strong tart fruits (light sour apples and pears, tart cherries, lemons), champagne notes, some light almond hints, light mustiness, some wet hay notes, light red wine hints, grassy, faint candy sugar, light oak

Taste - Very tart fruits (strong lemon notes, light cherries, grapefruits), some vinegary notes, strong brett notes, faint red wine, light nutty hints, farmhouse cider traces, floral.... the faintest sweetness emerges after a few sips...

Feel - Very sharp and dry - mouth puckeringly so... suprisingly drinkable and refreshing though..

Overall - An excellent Wild Ale and as good as some of the Belgians i've had... probably not for everyone but definitely recommended...

Serving type: on-tap

03-21-2012 12:12:36 | More by mdagnew

angelmonster

Colorado

4.13/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On draft at Freshcraft in Denver

Pours a clear brown body, 1/2 inch off white head. Lacing and head retention were good.

Smell is of very light vinegar but dominated by tart fruit like cherry and kumquat. There is also some oak at the end.

Taste is of straw malt mixed with sour apples. Sour pickle brine is also present along with some puckering tannins you'd get from a dry chardonnay. No hops or alcohol was detected.

Mouthfeel is light, puckering and finishes dry. Carbonation is perfect but the head was only semi present.

Overall this was a good refreshing beer. Would love to have this in the mountains on a spring day. Not too much into the particular style but would definitely buy another bottle whenever it rarely pops up.

Serving type: on-tap

03-08-2012 06:49:39 | More by angelmonster

Murrhey

Montana

4.5/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served on-tap at Hollingshead's Deli. Reviewed from notes.

A- Thin off-white head with little retention on a light copper body. High clarity. Light lacing.

S- Some fruity smells, like elderberries and currant. Like a nice wine, but with a developed malt body.

T- Very sour. Not my style of beer, but this is the primo example of a Wild Ale.

M- Medium bodied with some fizziness.

O- Again, not my favorite style of beer, but quality through and through.

Serving type: on-tap

02-21-2012 04:48:14 | More by Murrhey

SoCalStout

California

4.5/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

on tap at Eureka Burger Redlands

Appearance: cloudy orange/rubyish, one finger off white beautiful head with tiny bubbles and a little bit of lacing.

Smell: Sour cherries are very prominent in the nose mixed with sour apples. Then there are wilder aromas followed by more tart cherries.

Taste: Nicely sour, with tons of cherry and oak flavors. Incredibly balanced with the sweet and sour notes. Not overly sour, just complex and warm. It has some slightly bitter qualities as well.

Mouthfeel: Light, carbonated and bubbly. Very crisp and refreshing. Extremely drinkable. The sourness isn't too overpowering either.

Overall: A truly excellent sour, with very nice fruit flavors. A perfect balance of sour and sweet to keep you wanting another sip.

Serving type: on-tap

02-16-2012 08:28:27 | More by SoCalStout

ProfessorX

California

4.1/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The first sour I have ever had. Served on tap in a 10.5 oz tulip glass. I didn't know what to expect. Nice Amber Color. Nice small head that settles at the top of the glass and dissipates as you continue to drink. The taste is fruity and bold with hints of cherry, oak and red wine. The cherry taste is there and stays with the beer with every drink. It has become the sour on which I will judge every other sour on.

Serving type: on-tap

02-16-2012 01:16:04 | More by ProfessorX

BenHesk12

California

4.38/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Served on tap at Russian River brewing company, Santa Rosa Ca. First I'll have to warn that this is the most expensive beer that RR makes, coming in at $12 for a 12oz bottle, so the best way to enjoy it is by the glass which is only about 6 bucks. The reason being is that this beer is aged in pinot noir barrels in the nearby wine country, and uses expensive ingredients such as the sour cherries which gives the brown ale the sour.

Most people will admit they don't like sour beer, and it does sound gross at first, but give this a try and you won't be disappointed. This is the kind of sour ale where each sip beckons for the next. A refreshing change from the hop overload of RR's famous other beers. The taste is dominated by the sourness of it, but in an enjoyable way. The mouthfeel is wine like in it's tartness, but entices you to drink more. This is a beer that defines specialty, hand craftsmanship, and care. Get it on tap if you can, this beer does NOT bottle well.

Serving type: on-tap

02-07-2012 21:47:30 | More by BenHesk12

spdyfire83

Ireland

4.78/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

166th Review
Served into snifter
On-draft at Falling Rock Taphouse

From notes.

A: Medium burgundy. 1.5 (white) fingernail head.

S: Sweet cherry, tart apples, oak, vanilla, and hint of fig. Nice!

T: Much like the nose, but oh so tasty! Sweet cherry up-front with immediate dry tartness. Hints of oak and bacteria blend amazingly well together with a masterful (soft) citrus finish. Delicious through and through and to enjoy it on draft is even better than the bottle.

M: Light-medium bodied with medium carbonation.

O: Another fantastic beer from RR! This one is usually my go-to beer from RR as it is usually readily available and uber choice all-around. The complexity, yet simplicity is so perfect that words do not do it justice. If you haven't tried it, go get it! If you have tried it and don't like it, send the rest my way. If you enjoy it like me, I dig your style and maybe I'll invite you when I crack open the large format - that will be epic.

Serving type: on-tap

02-06-2012 18:29:31 | More by spdyfire83

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

4.72/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A-golden orange color with red hues, an off-white head with good retention

S-bread, fruit and yeasty aromas

T-tart and sour upfront with bread and sour cherry flavors following and then wine notes come through giving a wonderful complex group of flavors

F-medium body with nice crisp carbonation and clean feel

O-a deliciously crafted ale with a great blend of flavors

Serving type: on-tap

02-05-2012 02:59:29 | More by MDDMD