Consecration - Russian River Brewing Company

kevanb

Illinois

4.58/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Consecration Batch 001x2. 750ml bottle poured into a Russian River tulip glass.

The pour is a nice dark, opaque, burgundy color, hints of brown and garnet when held to the light. There is a bit of tan colored head, very bubbly and light that comes to the top of the beer as it’s poured, but it dissipates very quickly leaving behind a few speckles of film and a nice off white ring around the glass with no additional lacing. The aroma is great, loads of currants jump out of the glass, moderate vinegar and acetic acid with a hint of funk, some vinous wine aromas with some nice sweet oak aromas from the barrel. The fruit is really dominant in the nose, which is great news considering the age of the beer and fruits tendency to fade out of the both the nose and the flavor profile of an older beer. The flavors are a bit harsher, still a strong amount of bitter, tart currants, dark plums and bing cherries are all noticeable fruit flavors. There is more vinegar than the nose suggests, the nice layer of grape-like wine flavors comes out as well but while this beer is certainly sour, it’s definitely more tart than an off putting, mouth puckering sour. The finish is a bit more astringent, sweet yet oak plays with the dirtier red wine-esque flavors, a bit of alcohol warms the throat as it goes down, and the bitter currants make a final appearance. The body is nice and carbonated, very prickly, which doesn’t help the astringent finish to the beer, but isn’t overly sharp and abrasive, still retains a nice level of smoothness.

Verdict: This is fantastic, this beer is aging gracefully although I would be weary of aging it too much further as the currant flavors could easily drop off leaving behind a bit of a vinegary mess. The fruit flavors are nice and tart and impressively potent which is all one can hope for in an aged beer. If you have the opportunity to try a vintage sour from Russian River, make no mistake, you will be well rewarded.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2012 04:01:51 | More by kevanb

t_carterb

Georgia

3/5  rDev -32.9%

06-19-2013 15:47:55 | More by t_carterb

JasonFromLA

California

4.75/5  rDev +6.3%

06-19-2013 07:06:15 | More by JasonFromLA

Johnny58

California

4.5/5  rDev +0.7%

06-19-2013 06:42:52 | More by Johnny58

chaseabeer

Oklahoma

4.75/5  rDev +6.3%

06-19-2013 03:09:08 | More by chaseabeer

profbobo

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +0.7%

06-18-2013 23:58:11 | More by profbobo

bcm75

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +6.3%

06-18-2013 23:57:05 | More by bcm75

taylor714914

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +6.3%

06-18-2013 23:05:46 | More by taylor714914

TheGoof

Michigan

4/5  rDev -10.5%

06-18-2013 19:27:32 | More by TheGoof

Jpirkle2715

California

4.25/5  rDev -4.9%

06-18-2013 01:53:44 | More by Jpirkle2715

KyleMA

California

4.5/5  rDev +0.7%

06-17-2013 23:52:11 | More by KyleMA

SteeleWright

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +0.7%

06-17-2013 03:46:07 | More by SteeleWright

dbrauneis

New Jersey

4.45/5  rDev -0.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

A: Pours a relatively clear crimson red in color with some heavy amounts of active visible carbonation and some ruby red highlights. The beer has a finger and a half tall fizzy yet creamy tan head that slowly reduces to a thin film covering the majority of the surface of the beer with a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Light amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate to heavy aromas of tartness/sourness with dark fruit (cherries and currants) and heavier smells of red wine and oak.

T: Moderately tart upfront with some vinous notes, hints of balsamic vinegar, and a moderate amount of sour cherries. Light to moderate flavors of oak and red wine along with some dark fruits (currant). Moderately tart which lingers in the finish.

M: Medium bodied with moderate to heavy amounts of carbonation. Relatively dry in the finish with a heavy amount of acidic prickliness.

O: Reminds me more of drinking a slightly tart red wine than a beer (so to speak) but it is definitely an enjoyable experience. Due to the tartness, it was one that I needed to enjoy by sipping rather slowly but it is definitely a phenomenal beer. Nice job of balancing the sourness with the red wine flavors.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2013 17:58:34 | More by dbrauneis

craft_shannie

Indiana

4.75/5  rDev +6.3%

06-16-2013 12:01:33 | More by craft_shannie

cjs61679

Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +6.3%

06-16-2013 04:29:21 | More by cjs61679

stogirelli

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +0.7%

06-16-2013 01:10:00 | More by stogirelli

jaxon53

Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev -4.9%

06-15-2013 19:08:45 | More by jaxon53

metter98

New York

4.49/5  rDev +0.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: The beer is very dark crimson red in color and has a moderate to high amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a finger and a half high dark beige head that gradually died down, leaving wispy lacing on the surface and a collar around the edge of the glass.
S: Moderate aromas of Cabernet Sauvignon wine barrels are present in the nose along with a slight amount of sourness.
T: The taste is similar to the smell, except that the wine isn't as prominent and there are also notes of oak and hints of cherries.
M: It feels medium-bodied and a little acidic on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer has a good balance for an barrel aged beer and doesn't seem too winey.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2013 17:32:20 | More by metter98

jnolan

New Jersey

4.75/5  rDev +6.3%

06-15-2013 01:36:07 | More by jnolan

ACB

California

4.75/5  rDev +6.3%

06-14-2013 22:36:56 | More by ACB

striker2160

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev +0.7%

06-14-2013 00:04:14 | More by striker2160

djre4orm

Virginia

1.5/5  rDev -66.4%

06-13-2013 18:40:21 | More by djre4orm

beerinNV

Nevada

4/5  rDev -10.5%

06-12-2013 14:18:35 | More by beerinNV

brewdog444

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +0.7%

06-12-2013 02:27:51 | More by brewdog444

pinnser

Colorado

5/5  rDev +11.9%

06-11-2013 20:49:38 | More by pinnser