Consecration - Russian River Brewing Company

steadydose

California

4.93/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Batch 001x2

Cork removed with a good pop, which let some mist out of the bottle along with scents of fruits.

A: Poured into an oversized tulip wine glass. Beer is amber/brown, with reddish highlights. High clarity. Khaki head dissipates quickly, no lacing stays on glass as beer disappears.

S: Initial smell was that of cherries. More sour than sweet most of the time. Lots of oak with just a touch of funk. As the beer opens up and warms 20 minutes later, more aromas of sweetness are present. My final glass from the bottle smelled even better with cabernet scents surfacing. Bottle says currants were used in this beer. I have never had currants knowingly, but I'm guessing there like cherries. Overall, impressive.

T: Sour cherries dominate, oak is present throughout. The cherries/ currants are sour most of the time, but the sweetness is almost there, almost noticeable, but never really makes its way completely. Beer is perfectly tart and acidic, Alcohol is hidden well. Long finish for a beer. Is this beer still?, or a beer wine hybrid. Lots of complexity and layers to this beer, which got better over the course of the bottle. Amazing.

M: High carbonation which contributed to a thicker body and mouthfeel. I enjoyed the amount of carbonation in this one. Clean finish.

D: Consecration is an amazing beer. Highly drinkable. I can not wait to have another bottle of this stuff, and see how it evolves with some cellaring.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2009 15:22:05 | More by steadydose

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

JRO

Wisconsin

4.75/5  rDev +6.3%

06-11-2013 18:31:53 | More by JRO