Beatification - Russian River Brewing Company

akorsak

Pennsylvania

4.6/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A corked and caged 375 mL bottle of Batch 002.

A: The ale has a hazy wheat ale color, more yellow than brown and resembling a still tea. There is little carbonation and no head save for a thin white band at the edge of the glass.

S: Mind-blowingly tart, this ale causes you to pucker up from the aroma only. Bright citrus and flowers emerge from the mix, as does an strong barnyard presence. The draw is so strong that despite the intensity, I can't take my nose out of the glass.

T: This beer is as gueuzey as it gets, thick with tart astringent flavors. Citrus flavors are quick to emerge from the tartness, with orange rind and grapefruit featured prominently. Sour apples run throughout as well. For the strength of the tartness, the body underlying it is quite delicate. The tartness last on the lips and palate for quite a while.

M: Fruit and horseblanket funkiness leave a lasting impression on the palate. This ale is as close to an authentic Belgian gueuze that I've ever come across.

D: At 5.5%, the ale is low key and light but the blast of flavor could impair your tastebuds. The ale is wonderful, great innovation from Russian River.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2008 19:44:54 | More by akorsak

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

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

Pours a very slightly fogged gold with basically no head. Nose is citrus and sweet. The funk is there too. Flavor is, well... Flavor is holy ----! Sour to the core with evident citrus. Pretty amazing stuff. Feel has a light and smooth carbonation to it. Liquid is good. Lovers of sours unite! The American lambic lives!

Serving type: on-tap

07-24-2008 03:45:09 | More by RblWthACoz

barleywinefiend

Washington

4.35/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Poured a hazed straw yellowish color with light white head.

S: Nose is funkdafied and sour, yet soft overall.

T: Taste is dry, tart, lemon, horseblanket, hay and a little hot on the end.

M: Mouthfeel is tart, lemonish and dry.

O: Very good sour.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2010 14:49:56 | More by barleywinefiend

Wasatch

Utah

4/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks goes out to BrewerB for this brew.

750ml
Caged/Corked
Batch 003

Poured into a tulip a cloudy pale yellow color, nice carbonation, nice little fizzy white head, some sticky lacing afterwards. The nose is malty, yeasty, citrus, slight spice. The taste is soury, malty/yeasty, with good citrus/spice notes. Medium body. Drinkable, a tasty brew.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2009 22:09:48 | More by Wasatch

jlindros

Massachusetts

4.28/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had at the huge whale-ish tasting at Chris's. Thanks to ShogoKawada for this one, batch 3.

A light fizzy head that barely exists, slight hazy golden wheat color.

Nose has lots of sour tart, some barnyard funk, bready funk, light citrusy as well.

Taste has a weird banana like fruit at first, then tons of acidity, some sour malts, mouth puckering!, light bit of fruit, touch of creamy malts, little bready and a touch of light funk, then some oak rounding, but just long sour and tartness, gland bashing sour.

Mouth is medium bodied with decent carbonation and super sour.

Overall very sour and acidic, hard to drink but great flavors and light funk.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2011 03:23:42 | More by jlindros

mdfb79

New York

4.78/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

From 04/14/12 notes. Thanks to everyone who brought this to our DC Sour Tasting; never had it and have wanted to for a while. Got to sample a near vertical, as we had batched 1, PH1, 2, 3, and 4 side by side. I found batches 1 and PH1 very different fro the rest, as they were much sweeter then the others, and found batch 2 to be the sourest, almost too sour. Batch 3 was amazing and my favorite, so the one I'm reviewing. My order went:

3, Ph1, 1, 2, 4

a - Pours a transparent golden color with one inch of bright white head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of tart cherries, sour fruits, citrus, lemon, oak, fruity malts, very acedic. Awesome nose, with just a ton of sour fruits.

t - Tastes of very sour cherries, sour dark fruits, and fruity malts, lemon, citrus, light funk, acedic, oak, vinegar. More sour dark fruit, especially cherries, in the taste, and a inty bit funky. Awesome, perfect tasting sour for me.

m - Medium body and moderate carbonation. Acedic mouthfeel.

o - Overall I thought this was an amazing sour; probably my favorite RR beer to date. All batches of this were very good, btu Batch 3 is unreal right now. Highly recommended, definitely looking for more bottles of this one.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2012 18:28:27 | More by mdfb79

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.58/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

375ml bottle obtained via ???? BIF from rsyberg01. Thanks for the opportunity... Corked and caged, Batch 002.

Poured into a Rapscallion glass, formed a 1/4" bright white head over the totally cloudy golden brew. Head recedes to an uneven layer of bubbles, with ample small-bubbled lace. Aroma is tart bubblegum. Taste starts with a moderate tartness throughout the mouth, coupled with a light sweetness. Then the real character appears, piercing citric character, which rounds out at the close. Mouthfeel is silky soft and dry, and drinkability is impressive. A refreshing on a warm evening, for sure.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2008 00:35:19 | More by ppoitras

weeare138

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Batch PH1...
Appears a hazy, light gold with a fizzy white head that fades out.
Smell is of sour tartness, citrus, apples, oak, light cherries.
Taste is of the same aforementioned aromas.
Mouthfeel is fizzy, a bit overly carbonated, with a dry, tart, champagne like medium body.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2006 21:41:05 | More by weeare138

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

4.72/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Batch 002. Corked & caged bottle 375 ml bottle into a Russian River Barrel-Aged Beer Tulip glass. A very classy presentation (as always) from Russian River.

Pours a hazy light orange (with almost a golden sheen to it)and a thin head of brite-white foam that left a smattering of lace behind. There is still a good bit of carbonation release well after the pour that keeps the retention firm for a good while, which is a credit to the conditioning of this. As a matter of fact, things don't slow down until about half way through the glass and then it went immediately still. It was a pretty cool to see the contrast in the body between when it was poured and when I finished the glass. The aroma is straight up fresh funky Brett, that gives off a tingling, pleasant pungency. There is also a fairly prominent sensation of sour fruits (like apples) behind all the funk.

The taste profile initially starts out with a fresh tasting crip blast of Brett tartness. What I love about this, is that never gets to the point of being sour. It takes things right to the threshold but brilliantly knows right when to pull back to keep things at a tart bite. And then what I REALLY love about this beer is that as it warms, the tartness melds with the sour fruit notes (that have been lingering in the background)to achieve a flavor not unlike a Sweet Tart of Sour Apple Jolly Ranger. Complete with an almost sugary sweetness that is felt in the finish along with a lingering tartness. The mouthfeel is fantastic, being medium bodied with a crisp feel yet dry finish and is smooth across the palette.

This Wild Ale really is out-freaking-standing and remains a spontaneously fermented work of art. Jammed packed with all the tartness and funk that you would expect from a beer like this but it is never overbearing and retains a fantastic drinkibility. God bless Vinnie and Russian River for beers like this!

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2008 16:57:58 | More by Kegatron

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

4.8/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Bought a few bottles from the release a while back, big thanks to fartingdog and DrJay for facilitating it!

Pours an almost clear light amber, almost golden, thin bone white head forms, quickly settles down to a thin ring around my new Bruery glass, drops some nice lace spots on the glass. Smell is badass, tons of oak and vinegar, lots of funky goodness, wine, vanilla, some honey and biscuity malty sweetness underneath the acidic lemons, almost a fresh floral character, kind of like a riesling, pretty awesome. Taste is intense, sweet and sour beginning when it kicks you in the tonge, more of a sweet wine, I get a lot of dry riesling character, fresh floral and honey notes, then the funky acidic character hits, like toasted lemons, vinegar, wood, very nice herbal sour finish, perfectly balance. Mouthfeel is light bodied, silky smooth, low carbonation, goes down insane easy for a sour. Not as much of a palate bruiser as I expected, just perfectly balanced sourness, tons of character, I could drink this stuff all day.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2008 02:05:37 | More by Viggo

Bighuge

Minnesota

4.43/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Batch 001-PH1.

Slightly hazed light copper. The big bubbly off white head fizzes away quickly and the remnant collar leaves sparse amounts of lace behind. Carbonation doesn't LOOK to be as jacked up in this one compared to the 001. Aroma is a little more pronounced than the 001. Some barnyard funk and more discernible brett characteristics on the nose. Even a little horse blanket smell. Bone dry feel again in the mouth. Medium bodied. Acidic and tart. Carbonation is not quite as spritzy as the 001, but still nice. Maybe a little bit more of an "airy" feel to it. The acidity and tartness are a little more agressive here compared to 001. Nice bite to it. The funk is more pronounced on the palate and it's pretty damn nice. Fruitiness isn't quite as noticeable compared to 001. I'm not one of those guys that lives and dies for Wild Ales and lambics and sour beers, etc... But this shit is addictive. I'm liking them more and more, but maybe that's 'cuz I'm getting the best of the best here.

Thanks again to Darren for the sample. MUCH appreciated.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2006 04:00:51 | More by Bighuge

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev -13%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I don't really know why I never sought this one out until now, but oh well. I drank this alongside a Temptation and Supplication, as well as various ratio'd blends of the three with a pluot muddle to christen my vintage Temptation/Supplication/Beatification/Compunction glass.

Batch 5.

Slightly hazy golden-yellow pour, with a finger or so of white head that retained nicely and streaked the glass with thin lacing. Aroma was pretty intense: lactic, acetic, sour, green apple, citrus. More intense sourness/tartness in the taste...I was told this batch gets "sour in a bad way" with age. I didn't really think it was "in a bad way," but it wasn't exactly smooth. Flavors of green apple, crabapple, lemon, oak, brett, hay, vinegar, white grapes; lactic and tannic notes came out more as it warmed. Medium body, moderate carbonation, heartburn-inducing. Overall good, but probably one of the lower beers on the "-ation" totem poll for me.

Cutting this with Temptation and Supplication really took the edge off. And that's kind of scary.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2013 01:19:59 | More by Rifugium

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

4.85/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Yellow and orange appearance, looks darker than pte, almost appearance wise is more akin to a typical dipa moreso than a wild ale. Real good looking head, this is the best looking wild ale I may have ever seen, just pristine.

Really massive sour notes, dry, earthy and extremely citrusy (and not just lemon).

Taste, wow, immediately reminds me why this is my favorite of the Russian -tion beers. And then it makes me pontificate whether I like this more than framboise for a cure or pty. Yup, that good. Body is light, taste, sour power is heavy. Keeps the brett aspect down, lets the other germs dominate. Never approaches anything that could be considered vinegar-esque. Oak notes are mild. Its all about orange type citrus notes, dry and earthy hyper drive sour.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2012 16:07:31 | More by Beerandraiderfan

corby112

Pennsylvania

4.78/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

From notes:

Batch 003 750ml received as an extra in a trade with ipa247. Thanks a lot man! Your generosity knows no bounds.

Pours a dark hazy golden banana yellow color with golden yellow hues when held to a light source and a two finger frothy white head. Decent retention, slowly fading into a lasting ring that leaves sporadic spots of lacing behind.

Funky Brett aroma with hints of earthy oak, crisp light fruit, champagne yeast.

Medium bodied with a slightly puckering tart mouthfeel. Soft carbonation with some earthy oak notes as well as some puckering sour funk. The great thing about this beer is although it is sour and funky with dry bretty efervescence, it isn't acetic at all and is actually very well balanced by the citrus and light fruit notes. Hints of lemon peel as well as apple and pear. Complex and extremely complex with a nice tart finish. Each sip leaves me salivating for more. Get this beer!!

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2010 08:40:51 | More by corby112

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

2.7/5  rDev -40.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 4 | overall: 2

Obviously, I do not understand sour beers (or the people who make them and drink them). I'm trying to learn to appreciate them, but a beer like this, it just defies imagination.

The beer pours a hazy, lemony honey color with decent head retention and lacing. The aroma of this beer is off the charts. I guess I get some lemon zest, but the beer is so tart smelling, and the barnyard funk so pronounced, I'm just amazed by what I smell. As odd as this beer smells, the flavors are just over the top. There is the lemon zest flavor, but I also get apple cider vinegar and just sour, sour, sour. Each sip has me grimacing in pain. The sour flavors aside, I will say the beer is pretty light on the palate with the abv. very well disguised. As for drinkability, the sour flavor is just overpowering and is nearly more then I can handle.

Shared this bottle with 4 other people thank God, including a guy at the table next to me (Belmont Station cafe) drinking some gueuze. He was quite grateful, noting the Beatification was much better then his gueuze. Perhaps. I just wish I had the capacity to appreciate it as much as he did.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2008 18:07:51 | More by johnmichaelsen

glid02

Georgia

4.65/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Batch 1 and Batch 3 tasted side-by-side, thanks to Joe and Grant for sharing!

Batch 1 pours a hazy deep orange color while Batch 3 pours a lighter and clearer orange-yellow color. Both have half-finger white heads that dissipate into thin rings around the glass leaving decent lacing.

Batch 1 smells of light malts with large amounts of lightly tart citrus and mild amounts of funk. Batch 3 smells of light malts as well; however the citrus is far more tart and the funk is more prominent, with hints of vinegar.

Both taste similar to how it they smell. Batch 1 features light malt flavors kicking things off and equally parts sweet and tart light citrus coming in shortly thereafter. Slight wet hay and leather influences come into play midway through the sip, carrying through to a moderately tart ending. As with the aroma, Batch 3 has much sharper tart citrus influences. Additionally, the funk influence is more robust but of a similar profile to Batch 1.

The mouthfeel for both is good. Solid thickness with active carbonation.

Drinkability is great for Batch 1 and very good for Batch 3.

Overall I slightly preferred Batch 1, but not by much. Batch 1 was better integrated and the niceties of everything were allowed to shine. Batch 3 was much larger and the flavors popped, but I found some of the nuances were overpowered when compared to Batch 1. Both are world-class beers and severely worth a shot.

Batch 1: 4 - 4.5 - 4.5 – 4 - 5
Batch 3: 4 - 4.5 – 5 – 4 - 4.5

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2011 19:53:27 | More by glid02

DrJay

Massachusetts

4.65/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Batch 002, 6.0%.
Hazy straw gold colour with a thin, whitish cap of fine bubbles that quickly settled to a thin collar. Short-lived, spotty stickage. Super funky aroma, salty and tart with lots of brett and barnyard character. Some vinegar and a bit of fruitiness added a lot of depth too. Leather and oak/wood appeared as it warmed. Fruity, sour and tart up front, sort of a berry quality, with a vinegar and salt flavour following close behind. Plenty of earthy funk, but not overpowering, plus a nice dose of oak. Puckering by the finish with lingering fruity tartness. Light bodied with lively carbonation, bordering on sharp. Oaky dryness too. Delicious! These wild ales are truly a work of art and this one didn't disappoint. I'm glad I have a couple more of these so I can see how they develop over time.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2008 21:33:31 | More by DrJay

HopHead84

California

4.6/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

7/17/2010

Batch 001 - PH1 generously opened by javib458, thanks!

I've had this a dozen times yet I seem to have failed to review it. I will remedy that now.

Poured into a snifter, the beer is yellow gold with good clarity and a small fizzy white head that exhibits good retention and leaves scattered lacing.

The aroma is a piquant blend of tart citrus and oak, with a moderate Brett presence that imparts some horsey, musty, and cheese notes. It's fairly well balanced, but the citrus is slightly more prominent than the rest.

The flavor is a succulent lemon tartness with light apple notes, balanced by oak and a dry, champagne-like mouthfeel. Musty and lactic notes are apparent, and the beer finishes with a mouth puckering tartness, a moderate sourness, and lingering citrus notes.

I first had 001 - PH1 on 7/25/09 in a full Beatification vertical (001, 001 - PH1, 002, 003), and I couldn't decide if 002 or PH1 was the best batch. I had PH1 again at Woodshop 5.0 on 2/20/2010 and it was a disgusting mess, so I was worried the whole batch had gone downhill. This most recent bottle was sublime, so I really have no idea what the deal was with the bottle at Woodshop. There were no detectable off flavors here; it was a display of all around excellence.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2010 23:33:07 | More by HopHead84

biegaman

Ontario (Canada)

4.08/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

"No rule exists for such compositions; they are at the mercy of the artist's genius"
- Grimod de la Reyniere

Over-ripened mango dotted with tiny flakes of salt. The carbonation must be extremely fine, if at all existent. The surface is left bare with only the faintest trim. Its complexion is sullied although clarity is left largely unhindered. The beer actually takes on a bright daisy yellow tone when exposed to the afternoon sunlight.

That the beer is aged in used wine barrels is not at all inconsequential. The brewery may insist they only use the "oldest barrels that no longer have any wine flavor or oak flavor left in them" but even sitting a full foot away I can smell something very similar to a dry white wine. Closer inspection with nostrils right up against the glass confirms, although more vinegary and tart notes also become apparent.

Having been to Belgium before and there having tried plenty of Lambics, I'm having deja vu. This beer (like all the barrel aged offerings from Russian River) were inspired by a trip to Belgium and are intended as interpretations of that country's spontaneously fermented ales. In this regard Russian River succeeds (better than anyone else, at any rate) in replicating the beers - but not of course duplicating them.

Beatification seems, on the whole, not quite as dry nor as tart as many Lambics. It does offer, however, plenty more funk. Acidic, vinegary notes of wilted citrus, wild honey and over-ripened orchard fruit abound as do the shared characteristics to a dry, sparkling white wine. According to the brewery's bottle log, this batch (#2) is considered "ultra funky". Indeed, it's probably one of the "funkiest" beers I can recall having.

The contents were put in bottle 29/02/08 but its two comprising batches were laying around in the barrels for some considerable time before that, 19 and 13 months respectively. Given the uniqueness of each batch, it's hard to say how this bottle, now at age one and a half, compares to fresher samples. That said, I see no reason to doubt the 4 hourglass lifespan Russian River labeled it with.

Fascinating a beer though Beatification may be, it is (admittedly) largely thanks to those few Belgian brewers who continue the tradition of spontaneously fermented ales that such knowledge and technique were handed down (and then west about 5500 miles) to one of North America's most innovative and talented brewmaster. No wonder it's called "Beatification", this beer sure makes me happy!

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2009 18:57:36 | More by biegaman

stakem

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Batch 5, 375ml corked and caged offering poured into a long stemmed tulip. The brew appears a hazed golden color with a finger of white head. The cap slowly fades but maintains a layering across the top from continuously rising bubbles of carbonation. A light swirl revives the cap and paints some patches of lacing on the glass.

The aroma of this brew is pretty darn fantastic. It smells lemony and lactic with a fruited quality that is almost like white grape juice. More smells bring out a greater focus on the barrel aging with a scent of moist cork and a bit of sweetness mildly reminiscent of vanilla that integrates so well with the previously described white grape juice scent. This brew has me salivating pretty bad even before I take my first sip. As the brew warms up and is swirled, a bit of a funky cheese note evolves.

The flavor of this brew is quite acidic. This ranks up there with some of the most sour offerings I have had. A flavor of lemony tartness blends into a tannic bacterial spike of acidity that rips the moisture right out of your mouth. The lactic edge gives way to some barrel flavor of moist cork mingled with layers of funk that are somewhat barnyard-like and earthen almost like something along the lines of must and cobwebs? The finish is a mixture of earth and acidity that is so sharp yet dry that you have to dive right back in for another sip. When small sips are taken, this brew really drives home flavors of lemon juice. When bigger gulps are taken, more earthen flavors are present with almost a bit of mineral edge.

This is a light bodied brew with a lively amount of carbonation that is not over done. It is light and lively in the feel with a brutal dryness and acidity to it. This is really a fantastic brew that nearly borders on being too much. I have waiting a very long time to try this and it has met my expectations quite well. The nose on this is unreal and while the flavor is deep and complex, it is a harsh bugger that is not for the faint of heart. I guess this goes without saying, wild ale fans, this is a must-try.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2012 00:35:03 | More by stakem

Derek

British Columbia (Canada)

3.68/5  rDev -18.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Batch 3.

A: Hazy straw, thin ring of retention leaves a little leg/lace.

S: Huge, overpowering apple tartness. Impressive.

T: A real mouth-puckering tartness, like an unblended lambic. The lactic acid reminds me of sour keys, with hints of underlying candied fruit. The subtleties are certainly lost on me.

M: Light to moderate body has a dry finish.

D: A little tart for my tastes.

Thanks Grub!

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2009 01:02:13 | More by Derek

Georgiabeer

Georgia

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

Decided to crack open a bottle of Beatification, batch 002 for my 900th review. Pours straw colored, slightly hazy, and with no head. The smell is quite funky with lots of lemon sourness and great barnyard aromas. The taste is super tart up front, followed by a splendid funkiness with loads of horseblanket character as well as a dose of minerality. Ripe soft cheese and lemon on the finish. Smooth, tart, refreshing in the mouth. Delicious and the real deal. I shared a bottle of this with brickstoredave, and his comment was "Wow, an American brewer made this beer?". My thoughts exactly. What an accomplishment and one more reason Russian River is my favorite American brewery.

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2008 23:01:46 | More by Georgiabeer

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

4.33/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Batch 002

Poured into La Trappe goblet.

Poured slowly producing a thin fizzy layer of white head. Fades quickly. No lace. Color is a bright golden orange sunset.

Aroma: Some vinegar, but has a big funky barnyard aroma going on. A ton of acidic citrus. Very sour of course. A different aroma from what I was expecting, but I like it.

Taste: Sour and tarty as hell, but has a sweet farmhouse funk to it. Hay and vinegar. Very acidic and funky. My mouth waters with every sip. Also has some oak to it.

Mouthfeel: This beer is super sour, maybe almost to sour, but I don't mind it. Light bodied with a high level of carbonation.

Overall, this is a sweet beer. I like the sourness, but it still has a sweet funky farmhouse taste. I can easily drink more of this.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2009 20:02:06 | More by mothman

thagr81us

South Carolina

4.85/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Had this one during the 'We Want The Funk!' tasting that was graciously hosted by beermeX2! Big thanks goes out to beermeX2 for sharing this one with the group! Batch 003! I have been lucky as of late to knock out quite a few of my brews needed for my Russian River -tion Quest and this one is NO exception! Served from bottle into a Mikkeller flute. Poured golden yellow with a one finger white head that subsided to a minimal amount slowly. Maintained decent lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, sour, tart, and funk. The flavor was of sweet malt, fruit, sour, tart, funk, and wood. It had a light feel on the palate with high carbonation. Overall this brew was nothing short of excellent in all aspects! This one was a standout from the tasting that night for just about all of the participants. The flavor on this one was otherworldly sour and definitely brought the duck-face HARD! Even from the aroma you would get a partial duck-face going. Definitely well rounded in flavor though as the fruit and woodiness added a nice touch to keep your palate guessing rather than just drop-kicking it with sour and tart notes. Really really well done... Hope to try some older batches in the future for comparison (hint hint traders...)

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2011 14:35:01 | More by thagr81us

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

4.9/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I shared this at my tasting on August 7, 2010. Served alongside six other Russian River wild ales.

Batch 003

A: Beatification appears a very hazy yellow hue. There is a small head comprised of white bubbles that leaves a little lacing on the glass.

S: The aroma is simply amazing. I was expecting great things, and was not disappointed. Sour funk, lemons, hay, and brettanomyces are the basic makeup of the scents.

T: Not surprisingly, Beatification tastes phenomenal, as the fine aroma would indicate. Really tart, this is almost like a lemon gueuze. The aroma is staggering as you get the glass near your face, then the flavor is just awesome. The taste was an instant 5. World class.

M: As sour as this beer is, there is no harshness or astringent aspects to it. A pleasant pucker and lingering aftertaste with every drink.

D: I would drink this every day if it were feasible. Wow.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2010 00:30:57 | More by Huhzubendah