Toronado 20th Anniversary Ale - Russian River Brewing Company

scottfrie

California

3.48/5  rDev -21.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

750ml bottle in snifter. Reviewed from notes.

A: Pours a deep iced tea amber with a pretty substantial light-tan head that faded into a good long-lasting collar.
S: Still a pretty sweet nose, lightly funky but overall very mellow. Picking up some fruit.
T: Apple and cranberry juice dominate with some sour grapefruit in the finish. Muted tasting overall, not bad, just old. Light sourness, green fruit tartness, with hints of apricots and other stone fruits.
M: Very frothy carbonation but a bit of a watery mouthfeel and thin body.
O: Old yes, muted yes, but still a delicious beer. I’d drink this again, but it’s definitely past its prime.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2013 21:49:52 | More by scottfrie

oline73

Maryland

4.05/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I was lucky enough to get to try this one at the DC Lost Abbey Tasting. Poured into a 5.5 oz. snifter.

Appearance: Pours a cloudy reddish amber with a very thin ring of off white carbonation.

Smell: Like a flanders red or an oude bruin. Vinegar and tart berries with a touch of sweetness.

Taste: Quite tart with red berry sourness and some oaky wine notes. There is a sweetness from the malt along with a mild vinegar note. There is a funk in the finish and it gets more sour as you progress through the sip.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with very aggressive tingly carbonation and a dry finish.

Overall: This is a very complex sour. It seems to have held up well, but I've never had it before. Consensus was this one reminded us of consecration.

Serving type: bottle

07-03-2012 00:32:03 | More by oline73

starrdogg

District of Columbia

4.33/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Huge thanks to Chris for sharing this one. Kicking off this ridiculous sour tasting with a bang!

Pours a hazy reddish brown with a thin white head. Smells like a fruitier version of an oud bruin with hints of vinegar, oak and red wine. Smells rather sour - a lot like Consecration. Oak and red wine are very prominent in the flavor as well as dark dried fruit (dates maybe?). It's sour and quite tasty, but not mindblowingly unbelievable - the oak really stands out in the finish. Mouthfeel is medium-bodied with nice carbonation. Overall, this beer is actually more similar to Consecration than I expected - big red wine notes and oak are most prominent. It's damn good, but when I consider what it takes to get one, you might be better off just having a Consecration and saving some cash.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2012 18:41:21 | More by starrdogg

raveskdr

District of Columbia

4.55/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Kickin' DC Lost Abbey tasting...with Russian River. Courtesy of Chris D. Thanks man! Served in a mini snifter.

A - Murky brown color with nice carbonation still. Recedes to the side of the glass.

S - Tart lemons, super funky. Lots of lactic presence as well.

T - Way more darker fruit presence up front. Lighter tartness then I would have imagined. Really smooth drinking with a good amount of sour aftertaste. Reminds me a bit of the 2006 Bon Chien I just had, oddly enough.

M - Super light and earthy for such a high alcohol sour. Slight fizzyness and effervescense.

O - Such a great beer. Has held up and is above average even for Russian River. The bar was so high and this one delivered.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2012 18:34:21 | More by raveskdr

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

4.45/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Shared by ygtbsm94. One of my most highly coveted wants. I can't thank you enough Brad!

Served in my Cantillon gueuze tumbler - I can't believe I don't have a Russian River glass...

The beer appears a light amber hue, appearing mostly clear. The head is approx. 1/2" and fades to a thin collar within a few moments, leaving a generous amount of lacing in its wake.

The aroma is wonderfully complex, offering red wine, white wine, oak, tart fruits, acidity, dark fruits, vanilla...wow.

The flavor is equally as complex. A heavy and biting acidity confronts the palate immediately. I find this to be more sour than tart. Very tannic, with prominent wine and barrel flavors. Dark fruits soaked in alcohol add warmth in the finish.

Overall, I am so grateful to have tried this. An interesting and intriguing beer. It wasn't among my favorites of the night, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2012 15:03:51 | More by Huhzubendah

drabmuh

Maryland

4.33/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Huge thanks to Brad for sharing this rarity. Beer is amber and hazy with a thin white head, lazy, no lacing, moderate carbonation.

Aroma is sweet and acetic with a nice level of lactic and citric acid, nice citrus as well, a little oak.

Beer is light and good, it is sour and tart with a dry finish, a good beer very enjoyable and I'd have it again (yeah right).

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2012 16:17:40 | More by drabmuh

mdfb79

New York

4.43/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

From 04/14/12 notes. Huge thanks to Brad for sharing this one, one I never thought I'd get to try.

a - Pours a clear dark amber color with one inch of white head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of cherries, oak, sour dark fruits, some light funk, toasted malts, bread, fruity malts. Nice and sour and some nice wood to it. Big fan of the nose.

t - Tastes of tart cherries, sour dark fruits, oak, sherry, vanilla, toasted malts, and light funk. Not quite as funky or sour as the nose but still really nice.

m - Medium body and low carbonation. Pretty smooth and creamy.

o - Overall a very good sour from Russian River. I love sour cherries and dark fruits, and this one still has a ton of it. Light funk in the nose which is very nice and easy to drink.A very good beer, can't wait to see the 25th Anniversary Ale coming out.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2012 18:44:13 | More by mdfb79

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.48/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle at the DC Lambic & Sour Tasting on April 14, 2012. Served in a Russian River TION goblet. Big thanks to Brad for bringing out this long-time want of mine.

Pours a clear amber-red with a small off-white head with pretty good retention. Average lacing on the way down as it makes its way to a collar.

The nose carries some really nice cherry and earth notes with a touch of port and vinous red-wine character in the background. A touch of woodiness to it as well.

The flavor continues down that path with a nice mix of earth, cherry, black currant, and light plum, resulting in something that's reminiscent of some red wines.

Long duration with moderately-heavy acidity and light-to-moderate funk. Medium body with a slight chewiness to it. Carbonation is average. Finish is dry.

Really an excellent beer and its complexity has withstood the test of time. After having this, I'm all the more motivated to seek out T25 this summer. Vinnie can really do some great things with wild ales.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2012 10:52:51 | More by Thorpe429

JoEBoBpr

Missouri

5/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Russian River Toronado 20th Anniversary Ale

Poured into a tulip glass from a 750ml bottle.

This is a treat for me for my 800th Review. I’ve had this beer before and it was amazing.

A nice loud pop starts things off with the cork flying off the bottle and hitting the ceiling. The head starts to rise in the bottle so I quickly pour into the tulip glass. The beer pours a gorgeous hazy dark copper color with some nice amber edges and some murky muddy-ness to it. A nice off white fluffy head forms and leaves some gorgeous sticky lacing. The bubbles are not quite that dense its nice and foamy. The head retention is great and the foam sticks around the sides of the glasses as it goes down. (5.0)

Aroma starts off with some leather notes and some nice woody oak. Slight sour apple notes are very present mixed in with some slight fruit sweetness. There are some nice delicious vinous and some nice cherry notes. Aroma is near perfection. Nice vinegar mixed in with the cherry notes and apple. This is perfection in the nose. It’s not too intense in acidity but just enough to merit a couple of sniffs. (5.0)

Flavors are perfection. There is some smooth tartness with some slight vinegar, vinous character and some intense cherry sweetness and tartness. Perfection. I can’t stress this enough. There is a nice funky finish to the beer mixed in with the oaky woodnotes. There is some leather in the taste that is balanced out with some of the intense cherry notes. Some nice slightly sweet apple notes and some mild sour apple as wel. The mouthfeel is fluffy and delicious with nice crispness and a nice dry finish. There is some slight hop notes almost citrusy on the back end. This is the most balanced sour beer I’ve ever had. Perfect combination of tart and fruit and woody notes. As this brew warms the cherry and woodnotes really begin to shine. The ABV in the beer is hardly noticeable. It adds some slight heat to it that melds very well with the tartness. This brew is glorious. Best sour I’ve ever had. (5.0)(5.0)

This brew is perfection in a glass for me. I’m lucky to have had two of these. This brew is delicious. Balanced and well crafted. Cherry notes that are tart and sweet at the same time with some nice wood notes and slight funk. Nice apple notes mixed in with some leathery hints and awesome oak. Some nice vinegar notes and sour fruit notes. Awesome and PERFECT. (5.0)

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2012 22:59:45 | More by JoEBoBpr

PhunkLover

North Carolina

4.97/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Reviewed in August 2008. Bottle shared by eclectic at BCTC. Thanks so, so, so, much Kevin! This was probably my most wanted beer on the site and boy did it live up to my expectations. Pours dark reddish brown with a small off-white head. Nose is heavily funked and oaked, with some nice dark fruits, layered malt, and just so complex I can’t do it justice. Flavor is delicious funk blended with mild quad-like flavors so perfectly. This is probably the best russian river beer I have had and that’s saying a lot as I rate them all pretty darn high. Don’t know if I’ll ever find a bottle of this stuff, so I can’t thank Kevin enough for being so generous to share it with me. An awesome final beer of a great Belgium Comes to Cooperstown experience. Is this the perfect beer? For me, at this time and place, it was and is.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2011 14:55:24 | More by PhunkLover

DenverLogan

Colorado

4.38/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Amber, swirling head, musty aroma. Rich fruit rinds, significant carbonation even after after several years. A mix of oak and red wine oak notes. Some astringency and bitterness. I've had this various times, including at the Toronado 20th anniversary on tap. I think it was truly amazing, especially at first, but some age is showing with a slight breakdown. Nevertheless, absolutely wonderful the first three years on tap or in bottle...cool label and glass design...unfortunately my glass got broken :(

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2011 22:36:09 | More by DenverLogan

beerfan99

Virginia

4.47/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Toronado San Francisco
Russian River 'tion night 2011

A: Dark red in color and clear. Carbonated enough to create a small white head, which was gone by the time I made it back to my seat.

S: Very strong earthy aromas, oak being the most prevalent. Of course, the expected Russian River sour aroma is definitely there.

T: Outstanding taste. Fills the mouth with sour, oaky, and a small fruity taste in the background. Obviously compares a little to Consecration, which I have been drinking for years. However, this is quite different. I think this beer is better balanced. Taste is long lasting.

M: Medium bodied with perfect level of carbonation. Sour and tart finish leaves the mouth on the dry side.

O: An extremely rare beer that I was lucky to have. There was only one sixtel of this beer at Toronado SF Russian River 'tion night 2011 and a big line to get it. It didn't have a chance and only lasted about 20 minutes. This beer definitely lived up to its hype and I would love the chance to have it again.

Serving type: on-tap

09-04-2011 05:14:25 | More by beerfan99

AleWatcher

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -20.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Reviewed from notes-- still trying to get caught up!

Petesphi sent me this because Vinnie gave him a bottle and Al had already tried it. He posted that he wanted to find a tasting group that wanted it, and we were lucky enough to get it. Shared with several Ba's at my house a few months back.

Dark dark color... like a copper/amber red. It opened with a big pop, but it didn't gush. nice two finger frothy head has remained and leaves amazing sheet of bubbles in the legs and some spots of lace cling behind.
It's acidic. It has a nose like thick dark candied sugar as well as some vinegar and a possible touch of oxidation. This is being opened up at an epic tasting with many whales and this one just seems to fall a bit short of some of the best beers of the night-- and that I've had prior.

I get a weird peppery note on the finish-- it's like dried blackpepper... there is also a little boozy alcohol warmth back there too. Could there be cinnamon here? This is the damndest thing.

There is good carbonation, and yet this comes across as a bit syrupy.

Overall-- I'm glad to be able to try this beer, but I am missing out on the reason for all the hype. I would not go too crazy looking for a bottle in the future!

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2011 01:36:06 | More by AleWatcher

Sean9689

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at Toronado SF for their 24th Anniversary. I probably had 6 or so pours of this one throughout the day until it kicked.

A - Pours a light rusty copper color with a reddish hue, white head, thin collar, thin filmy cap.

S - Big oak, tart/sour cherries, dark fruit, some tobacco, and earthy notes as well. Very big on the nose but it has definitely smooth out over the years since I've had it last.

T - A wonderful tart/sour cherry note, lots of oak, dark fruit, tobacco. Like the nose, very large cherry and oak aspects in this one. Nothing has really faded out, it's just very smooth.

M - Light to medium body, good carbonation, dry oaky finish.

O - I prefer T20 on-tap over the bottle. Nothing seemed muddled to me while I though the bottles have lost a bit. Very rich, flavorful, and complex even after 4 years. Excellent.

Serving type: on-tap

08-15-2011 16:30:02 | More by Sean9689

DovaliHops

California

4.33/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Stoked to see this on tap at toronado today! Pours a cloudy reddish brown color with minimal white head. Scent is very inviting withdark fruits and leather. Some tart aromas. Taste is amazing! Nice sour dark fruit flavors with leather and some malt. Mouthfeel is medium bodied with nice clean finish. Drinkability is high. Overall, this beer is fantasic. Im glad i made the trip here today.

Serving type: on-tap

08-13-2011 19:29:27 | More by DovaliHops

pastradul

California

4.03/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

WOW! bottle shared at toronado san diego thanks Dak!

poured into a wine glass tulip. pours a murky reddih brown with a ton of off white bubbles.

the nose is funk, mild dark fruit notes and leather.

the taste is way more mellow and delicate then I expected. very refreshing while having a tone of flavors flying around the mouth. up front you get barnyard and fruit. in the middle you get tabaccoa, leather and tannins on the tongue. in the back you finish with some extension of the leather and tannin feel.

what an amazing brew. so glad to have ticked it!!!!

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2011 06:35:20 | More by pastradul

cpetrone84

Pennsylvania

4.68/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A-pours a dark ruby red with notes of pink and a violent carbonation rising to the top with huge white billowy head that lingers and coats the glass.

S-the nose is juicy with hints of barrel and lots of red wine. a slightly leather brettcomes in with juicy red grapes and very bright nose with hints of sourness and acidity with a slight note of citrusy orange peel in the back.

T-light dry oak with a good juicy red wine presence and well integrated notes of brett. hints of leather, peppery, and juicy red grapes. a random raspberry that is somewhat sour and a subtle acidity in the back.

M-lighter in body and very drinkable with lively carbonation, crisp and rather dry, soft and subtle on the palate.

D-extremely well balanced with awesome flavors of juicy grapes and raspberries with nice brett additions. good acidity and light sourness. everything is balanced nicely and nothing is too pronounced as the juicy flavors and dry finish do this for me.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2011 18:09:20 | More by cpetrone84

drewba

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - The color is a clear amber with a two finger cream head. Medium lacing slowly cascades down the glass for the duration.

S - Semi dry with big, caramel and molasses yeast quality, funky grass, muted lemon and sweet & tart green apples. The smell is a little too subdued and fades quickly for this to get a higher grade.

T - Begins with some sweet malty caramel, tart lemon and molasses, dry acidic yeast and has some tannin characteristics. The finish has a dry white wine quality with light peppery notes. A bit of chest warming action going on here.

M - medium body but is somewhat viscous, but is saved by a solid carbonation pop at the end.

D - Other than the chest warming, this is fun to drink. It doesn't have any overwhelming or lingering flavors and is super clean and easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2011 00:37:10 | More by drewba

womencantsail

California

4.1/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thank you Jer!

A: The pour is amber, maybe copper, in color with a short lived off-white head.

S: Quite a lot going on in the nose here. Grass and oak are prominent up front, but a wine note starts to kick in. Lots of dark fruits and a slight vinegar aroma. A surprising malt and vanilla note to this which creeps in as the beer warms.

T: There is a very big red wine flavor that is one of the parts about this beer that I quite enjoy. Some mild cherries and lemon along with a touch of vinegar providing the tartness. A bit oak character and a mild leathery funk. As I take more sips, more sweet malt such as caramel comes through. Very surprising.

M: The body is medium with a moderate level of carbonation.

D: The elusive T20 has been tried and I must say that I was a bit let down by it. Of the big Russian River rarities, I much prefer Deviation. This is a very complex beer, so perhaps I just don't "get it".

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2011 22:44:58 | More by womencantsail

kkipple

South Carolina

4.53/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Review # 575 is as good a time as any to post this one I guess.

Mad respect to Craytonic for cracking this one ("For your birthday") a whole month after my actual birthday. Consumed from an immaculate bottle on 11/12/2010 at one of those tastings you've heard so much about. Split 3 ways and poured into my veteran Tripel Karmeliet mini goblet.

A. Haandbakkish deep red with a a dash of burgundy brown. 2 centimeter uneven head stays low. Adequate carbonation in the bottle, still. Decent retention. But you didn't come to read about how this beer looks, did you?

S. Since the comparison to Consecration / Haandbakk (same beer, do a side by side sometime) is inevitable, let's get that out of the way right now. This does have the same big "red" sour grape notes and plenty of barrel, as its lesser brethren, but Toronado 20 seems fuller and more malt-rich, sweeter and denser. A hint of metallic twang is the only real misstep here, and easily ignored in the rush of oaked sour complexity. Excellent nose here - bold and berry and rich with plenty of the classic Russian River "house" character you all love. It all works wonderfully well and is a delight to smell.

T. Big! Huge! Reminds me at once of a massive Cabernet, tons of sour cherry & other esters fills the mouth and is held aloft for a very long time with an oaky, vinous, and woody pep... not to mention the heavy, yet never overwhelming, funk. This is an excellent example of a sour with balance, and still maintains a good amount of honest-to-Pete malt spine. Quite probably the highest ABV and richest sour I've had to date, yet it never gets old.

M / D. Very full in the mouth, not *quite* 'creamy', but dense and invasive all the same. Carbonation level is quite good still and the finish is a rolling wave of sour cherry, barrel notes, and lip-smacking tartness that fades softly away. The 10+% abv is barely to be noticed here.

Bottom Line: Toronado 20 is a tremendous American sour, and you are very fortunate if you have one. BUT - and this is where the rubber meets the road for most mortals here - in my very personal opinion, I would not put forth the effort and cash to acquire one this late in the game. Why? Simply for the reason that the several hundred dollars you'll wind up spending on this beer could really get you a few cases of world-class sours from Cantillion, Fantome, Captain Lawrence, HaandBryggeriet, Cascade, etc.

Here's hoping Russian River makes this sort of thing again - surely one of the best beers I've had from them, and that's saying a lot.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2010 00:05:50 | More by kkipple

craytonic

District of Columbia

4.75/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Opened with hapmike and kkipple for the latter's birthday a dirty south tasting.

Appearance: The similarities to consecration are apparent the moment the bottle is opened. It is a cloudy, rusty purple with a decent head, nothing too impressive to look at:

Smell: Ahh, this is where it gets good. Again, the similarities to consecration are readily apparent. Big and juicy aromas of cherries, leather, wet tobacco, buttery oak, vanilla, figs and raisins.

Taste: Sour cherries, light funk, brown sugar, leather, oak, vanilla, figs, tart plums and raisins. I get some cabernet sauvignon notes as well. For 10.43%, the alcohol is completely hidden. Incredibly complex. Shame Russian River doesn't make them like this anymore, far and above their other offerings. If you can't get it, consecration but better would be a good summary.

Mouthfeel: Creamy, medium body, appropriate carbonation.

Drinkability: I wish they would make this again, it is incredibly easy drinking given the high ABV. Affirmation of why RR was one of the best in the country, not sure why they don't produce bottles this good anymore.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2010 18:51:06 | More by craytonic

Doodler

Colorado

4.47/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Split a bomber of this with Ratman and Irishboy before the Bistro party on Saturday. Thanks Richard for bringing this gem along. Been wanting to try for a good while.

A - Poured into my RR tulip a hazy ruby red with a minimal white head. Great lacing.

S - Funky nose and deep cherry flavor aromas. Hints of wood.

T - Nicely tart, lemony and fruity. Slight cherry taste grows as it warms up. I will bet this was more pronounced fresh, but the aging hasn't dulled it. Lovely stuff.

M - Soft and mildly carbonated. Citrus and fruit flavor coats the finish.

D - Big and complex. Easily earns it';s reputation as a well crafted sour. Sorry to see this one finish. Wanted more.

O - Aged well, worthy of whale status. Trade for it if you can.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2010 05:08:54 | More by Doodler

Habmike

North Carolina

4.53/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Thanks to craytonic for opening this whale in honor of kkipple's birthday.

Light head and retention with hues of brick and burgundy. Not much clarity.

Light funk and tart aroma. Not powerful. Similar to consecration. Like a more malty consecration nose.

Dark fruit notes and an easily quaffable tartness. Light carbonation and very low booziness. 10.43%???

Excellent creamy mouth with a smooth flow of carbonation. Not a sizzle or a snap just a flow.

I'm sure I could drink loads of this its just kinda tough to get my hands on it!

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2010 23:11:54 | More by Habmike

JohnGalt1

Idaho

3.88/5  rDev -12%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Ditmier asked me if I was in... I say, "Uhhh... Fuck Yeah!!" We shared this with the boys about a month ago.. reviewed from pretty good notes.

Pours hazy orange.. okay white head flecked with tan yeast globs..

Nose shows a bunch of fruit and funk.. lemony, apricot and lite pear with good sour notes... hints of chardonnay.. Though everything seems really flat and just doesn't gel.

Flavor is brett and some Belgian phenols with a bright tartness.. green apple .. I get some sour cherry with barrel tannins.. more malt presence than I was expecting.. vinous elements let you know it has some woody backbone.. complex I guess.. but seems pretty flimsy.

No alcohol and a surprising body with good everpresent small bubble carbonation.

Wow.. My mind had built this one up waaaay too much. Good.. arguing with great, but in nooo way world class. I know that time can sap a sour's potential, but the Toronado was no where near as good as I was hoping. I will drink my Supplication bottles with Gusto from now on, they are much better than the fabled Toronado 20th (I still wanna try a tap sample :-)

There is nothing wrong really, it is just a pretty well made big boned sour that hides the alcohol well. It is never going to fart rainbows or rewrite Shakespeare... Despite the great chance to try this Whale (probably my top whale to this point), I wish I still had my share of the trade back. Thanks Eric for making this happen, I know you did it for me.

3.5/3.5/4/4/4

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2010 08:19:44 | More by JohnGalt1

JAXSON

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks for the pour of this, Chris. Couldn't accept what I was seeing at first. It poureth a deep guava, a pinking amber, with a large head and a tempestuous body. Nose is at first subtle and mild, as it breathes some brett, tropical fruits, and a solemn red wine barrel emerge. Sharp carbonation in the mouth, highly effervescent and champagne-like. Tropical fruits, oranges, cotton dryness. Sangria-like. Light and full in the mouth, just a lovely feel. I thought at times I would have liked more integration as the focus kind of wavered between a dry brett / wine barrel, and a juicy-sangria that weren't totally harmonious. But on reflection and on finishing the glass the quality of this became more obvious. A wonderful pineapple quality sets in over time. This was not what I expected and was amazingly light and spritzy despite the abv, was a joy to drink and reflect on with friends.

EDIT: I'm lowering this a bit based on a recent bottle which was a far cry from the first one. A bit muddled, unfocused. Couldn't touch the best Bullfrog stuff (Beekeeper, Black Cherry Bomb) enjoyed at the same tasting.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2010 00:33:41 | More by JAXSON