Consecration - Russian River Brewing Company

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

4.74/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Poured from tap into goblet at hulmeville inn pa. Pours a ruby brown with ever so slight rim of thin foam. Awesome funky wine barrel oak and currant aromas. Taste is pefect tart cherry and currant with perfect funky oak barrel. Some hints of wine but is so smooth from the oak. Its nearly perfect in every way...
I was so pumped to have this...way more than worth it!

Serving type: on-tap

02-13-2013 21:08:05 | More by DrinkSlurm

Murrhey

Montana

4/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured on-tap in a snifter at Tustin Brewery in Tustin, Calif. Reviewed from notes.

A- Finger and a half white head, low retention. Fluffy white lacing. Ruby red color. Marbled carbonation.

S- Black currant smell. Very sweet with some notes of sourness. Unique.

T- Very sour with wine notes. Very nice with some non-beer essences. Sour and sweet all at once.

M- Very light and vinous feel. Heavily carbonated.

O- Never had a beer like this. Good beer. Making me excited to try more Russian River.

Serving type: on-tap

11-15-2012 00:34:29 | More by Murrhey

TheRealBigC

Nevada

4.1/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Having this one shortly after trying Supplication, I will admit that I was a tad dissappointed with it. Only because Supplication is too amazing to be succeeded by anything.

This one has a similar body to Supplication - reddish brown with some small bubbles constantly bubbling, but a thinner head due to the alcohol. The alcohol also cuts some of that tartness while preserving the oaky, cherry notes. Goes down kind of dry like a champagne.

Realistically, Russian River knocked it out of the park again and they've clearly demonstrated that they dominate not only with IPAs but also sour/wilds. I give the upper hand to Supplication, but try both!

Serving type: on-tap

08-18-2012 06:39:24 | More by TheRealBigC

AgentMunky

California

4.05/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served in a footed 'Belgian' glass at the brewery. From notes. Reviewed 14 April 2012.

A: No head. Translucent brown; a glowing honey-amber.

S: Fruit and Brettanomyces. Winey/grapey. Not amazing.

T: Hmmm. Very puckery-tart, with a vinegary aftertaste, but there's some very nice fruit right in the middle. Deep, rewarding, wine-like flavours. Sparkly mouthfeel.

O: Good, but not great. I'm not sure I understand the fuss. Not worth the price, but worth drinking. Good wild ale!

Serving type: on-tap

08-04-2012 21:29:41 | More by AgentMunky

cfrances33

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Good Dog Bar in Philly on 7/6/12. Served in a wide mouth tulip.

Pour: Reddish copper with no head at all. Decent carbonation.

Smell: Funky cherries all the way. Some must, but really the cherries dominate.

Taste: Tart cherries and hay must. Cabernet oakiness provides a woody aspect.

Mouthfeel: Slick and oily, much like a cabernet. Not overly sour, but tart for sure.

Overall: Good, but probably my least favorite of the RR sours I have so far (sanctification > supplication > consecration)

Serving type: on-tap

07-31-2012 17:07:28 | More by cfrances33

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

4.55/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A-clear mahogany color with no head or lacing

S-tart cherries, dark fruit, hints of wood and earthiness

T-dark fruit, sour grapes, cherries, very light malt presence, light wood, slight earthiness as it warmed

F-medium body with very fine lively carbonation

O-another tasty sour from RR which I enjoyed even more as it warmed

Serving type: on-tap

07-25-2012 02:19:09 | More by MDDMD

williamjbauer

West Virginia

4.4/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap (had bottled as well) served in nonucal glass

A - clouldy Garnett brown with one finger rose head with poor rentention and minimal lacing

S - Cab Sav. Currants, funky fruity yeast, cherries.

T - Drink a currant cherry lambic, a cabernet Sav, and a tastes if tobacco and you have got this gem. Sour and warming

M - med body, mod-high carbonation, sticky

O - Yum. A gentlemans beer.

Serving type: on-tap

07-01-2012 21:15:43 | More by williamjbauer

JimmyTango

California

4.73/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

To me this is everything geat about Roddenbach Grand Cru time a thousand... more complexity, more sourness, more leather, more better. Clear brown with a dark red tint. Amazing! Currants, jucy, sour, balanced, tobacco, oak, and clove. Its hard for me to describe just how much you’ll like it. Subtle and delicious but crazy complex. Get it!

Serving type: on-tap

05-02-2012 22:11:30 | More by JimmyTango

WeedKing4

Ontario (Canada)

4.2/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Was able to try this at the brewery. Poured dark rosey amber. Very sour but I preferred supplication. There's a little bit more of booze In the taste with a more malty finish.. Makes your mouth pucker though. This brewery sure knows what it's doing with sours.

Serving type: on-tap

05-01-2012 00:22:35 | More by WeedKing4

DarthKostrizer

California

4.23/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Churchill's during Churchill's Renaissance

Batch 2

Look: Pours a darker shade of brown with some red highlights 1/8 inch head and not much retention with some spotty lace

Smell: Dark fruits some tartness and oak

Taste: I was expecting this to be much more tart and sour but I think the age has done wonders for this beer. It is has some delicious sour berries with the black currant especially coming through some nice tart and sour sting with a bit of funk

Mouthfeel: Medium to thin body with medium carbonation and slightly tart

Overall: This is a damn fine example of a american wild ale I really enjoyed this and was glad I tried it

Serving type: on-tap

03-06-2012 02:43:11 | More by DarthKostrizer

TenHornsProud

Colorado

4.48/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a dark ruby with a fine white head. Slightly cloudy.

Big bretty armoa with clove and cherry notes. Some dark fruit, wood, funk, and horse blanket. Big, fantastic nose.

Cherry taste up front that goes into a cab/merlot red wine character that is bretty and ends on a bitter/sour kick. Slight wood-aged complexity sneaks in.

Medium to light body and high carbonation work quite well.

This is a fantastic beer that has a big red wine character.

Serving type: on-tap

02-27-2012 03:30:53 | More by TenHornsProud

deebo

Minnesota

4.73/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at RR.

A-Fairly clear dark amber with a white head clinging to glass.

S-Subdued funky Brett, Tart cherries, currants, and chocolate aroma.

T-Dark fruits, hints of tobacco with and ending with sourness and funky earthy yeast. Can tell this was aged in a cab barrel.

M-Fairly smooth, alcohol extremely well hidden for a 10% beer.

O-A very complex beer combining flavors found in guezue, cabernet, and a dark ale. The most complex sour I've tasted from US. Easy to drink with something new to discover in every sip.

Serving type: on-tap

02-20-2012 00:10:08 | More by deebo

drewone

California

4.48/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Fathers Office, served in a short flute glass.

Deep red, small head.

Very subtle fruit with a touch of sourness, not a strong bouquet.

Complex layering of fruit, tarts and sours. Small amount of acidity.

Mouth puckering and carbonation play well off of each other. A weird mix of a sipper and a quaff-er.

This is a beer that every time I have I enjoy more, it just keeps getting better. I think I like it more than supplication now.

Serving type: on-tap

02-17-2012 04:46:39 | More by drewone

zac16125

South Carolina

4.43/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Served on tap at Falling Rock in Denver, into a tulip glass

From notes taken on 1/6/2012
I was really excited to find this on tap

A: Dark amber red with 1 fingers width of snow white colored head which quickly dissipates down to and outter rim and leaves no lacing.

S: Strong red wine and sour grapes, sour apple and brett aromas with a hint of sour pear. Also a unique whisky like aroma.

T: Complex flavor profile, there is certainly a lot going on. Sour apple and sour grapes, plus some other grape flavors of the non sour variety. The brett is certainly noticed, and there is a touch of a whiskey like oak flavor. Towards the end of the drink the cab sauv flavors start to come out, although still not as strong as I anticipated. There is a great lingering aftertaste after every sip. The prominent flavors are certainly sour fruits and wine, although neither to the degree that I expected. Very good.

M/D:Bubbly, champagne-like mouthfeel, and each sip finishes dry like a good red wine. Heavy carbonation, medium bodied, good drinkability. I never would have guessed it is in double digit ABVs/ Perfect mouthfeel.

O: Overall, an excellent beer. Very unique, and a must try for fans of sours, wild ales, and unique beers in general.

Serving type: on-tap

02-16-2012 02:47:26 | More by zac16125

charlzm

California

2.48/5  rDev -44.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Consumed Saturday, January 7, 2012 at Blue Palms Brewhouse, Hollywood, CA in a snifter.

Beer is a dark, plummy brown with no head.

Sweet apricot and plum aroma. Reminds me of a Passover wine as well. Trace of a metallic tang.

Flavor is the same as the aroma but is quite tart as well. Tart as in crazy sour. Weird aftertaste, like fermented figs.

Mouthfeel is ever so slightly thick and flat as Kansas.

I'll let the sour beer lovers have this one, as I'm not in that camp.

Serving type: on-tap

01-14-2012 18:41:25 | More by charlzm

JustinMatthew

Pennsylvania

4.97/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured at the Russian River & Taco Bonanza into a little chalice.

Pours mahogany in color, barely opaque and no head. Smells delicious.. Slightly vinegar/ tart and sweet. taste is a blast of tart and and mild sweetness. A little vinegar, currants, and slight oak all balanced perfectly. After taste is all oak.. Some vanilla and currants very mild overall. This sour beer leaves me begging for another sip!

Serving type: on-tap

11-20-2011 21:37:52 | More by JustinMatthew

brystmar

Texas

4.7/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

On draft at the RR brewpub.

Dark copper pour, as usual. Consecration really needs to warm up to at least 60 degrees before being consumed. The taste and smell improve tremendously as it warns.

Rich bouquet of Cabernet barrels and Belgian tartness in the nose. Oak in the background. Waiting anxiously for the Glade / RR collaboration for household aroma solutions.

Tart cherries and other fruits start things off. Strong Cabernet flavors bring a wine-like character to this brew. Active body stings your tongue with bubbles. Not sure what else to write -- this is noticeably better on draft, and it's utterly amazing.

I feel so spoiled sitting here and ordering another pour. I'm eternally jealous of you locals who can enjoy this every day.

Serving type: on-tap

11-15-2011 03:05:05 | More by brystmar

JonathanG

Colorado

4.47/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had a sample of this at Hops & Pie, in a Great Divide tulip. Thanks Leah!

A: reddish brown, with a light sheet of head.
S: a little barnyard, along with currants, and oak.
T: currants, integrated oak, and again a bit of barnyard.
M: nice and sour, with good acidity. An excellent food beer.
O: Reminds me of wine, and that's a good thing. Very food-friendly, and nuanced similarly to a Cabernet with a bit of age on it.

I have only tried a few of the Russian River offerings, to-date, but would definitely seek this out again. Fantastic stuff!

Serving type: on-tap

10-03-2011 23:51:31 | More by JonathanG

BeerLover99

New Jersey

4.43/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Dark brown body, trace head, very little lacing

S: oak, pinot noir, strong currant aroma, just incredible nose

T: sweet currants, pinot noir, slight smoky, tart cherry pucker
finish

M: med body, smooth, low carbonation, hint of dryness

O: What a fascinating brew! You want to gulp
it because the flavors are so interesting on your palate,
but also want to savour the aroma and experience

BEAUTIFUL, MUST TRY!

Serving type: on-tap

08-01-2011 16:11:18 | More by BeerLover99

DCon

Missouri

4.83/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Enjoyed on-tap @ Naja's Place in Redondo Beach, CA for $8. Tapped into a 12oz Wine Glass from the Another RR Cross Tap Handle but couldn't make out what colors it was or any description because it was so far down the line. This brew was also not on the "Tap List" Here! It was available in bottle so I just asked for the hell of it to see if it was a secret one as well, and it was!

Aroma- Starts off with an enormous wild and sour cherry aroma. Has the normal goaty/earthy hints and is blended well with the cherry. Very acidic and great to sniff at.

Appearance- Received with a 1 finger head that dies quickly. Light amber/reddish color body that has great clarity. Effervescent and leaves good lacing.

Flavor- Strong cherry from the beginning of the drink. Extremely sour and acidic and just for what the style calls for! All the barnyard characteristics appropriate and has a light sweetness but is then forgotten because of the puckering finish.

Mouthfeel- Light-Medium Bodied, High Carbonation, High tartness, and leaves sharp cherries on the tip of the tongue.

Overall Impression- A very straight forward Wild/Sour! Pleasant, nice cherry taste/aroma, and well balanced. I am excited I got to try these two RR brews @ Naja's and will be keeping my fingers crossed to enjoy many more in the future.

Serving type: on-tap

07-31-2011 03:03:01 | More by DCon

Kshock

California

4.47/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- Deep Brown color, but bright and clear. White lacing that subsides to a ring quickly. Very nice color.

S- Very nice sour tart up front with some citrus tagging along on the back end.

T- tart berries with some lactic pucker on the palate. REally nice balance of intense flavors. Very well put together., and dangerously drinkable for 10%

M- Light and soft with some sour pucker on the insides of your cheeks. Really nice feel.

O- Awesome sour, one of the best and certainly very consistent.

Serving type: on-tap

07-23-2011 03:32:52 | More by Kshock

tmoneyba

Ohio

4.47/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Draft. Poured a clear brown color with an average fizzy off-white head that mostly lasted with fair lacing. Moderate to heavy sour and yeast aroma. Medium to full body with a smooth texture and flat carbonation. Medium to heavy sour flavor with a medium to heavy sour finish of moderate to long duration. This is a standout beer for style.

Serving type: on-tap

06-12-2011 01:53:44 | More by tmoneyba

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

4.72/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

First had: bottle at Eulogy, Philly, PA

First had this in a 750ml bottle, but I have had it on tap as well. A tasty, dark, sour ale wood aged with black currants. After Pliny the Younger, this is my favorite RR brew.

Pours an attractive vermillion-mahogany color with a delicate beige head with some tinges of ruby here and there. Sour aroma, dark fruits, leather, and vinegar. Flavor starts out sweet almost like a kriek or framboise, with notes of cherry, blackcurrants. Soon turns more tart with the more sour qualities of cherries, red wine, and hints of vinegar coming through. In turn moves to more dried fruit--figs, prunes, dried cherries--soaked in wood-aged wine. Finishes acidic and bitter overall, yet still smooth. Medium body, complex, and very enjoyable.

Serving type: on-tap

06-10-2011 15:26:46 | More by Rifugium

Hoptometrist

Oregon

4.75/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Served on tap at the Russian River Brewpub into a snifter

A- Poured an opaque dark brown with ruby highlights with no head, but tiny carbonation bubbles around the top.

S- The aroma was very strong of a cabernet, it was pretty surprising at first, I did not expect the cabernet aroma to be some prominent. Also a nice sweet cherry aroma

T- Strong cabernet taste, strong very sour cherry taste, and dark fruit, and vinegar acidic notes

M- High acidity and very high carbonation, my tongue was in heaven

O- This beer is unlike anything I have had before. The wine characteristics were so prominent and the sourness and acidity of the beer made this a very tasty and memorable beer. This is the first beer my wife has ever enjoyed too, so I was pretty impressed.

Serving type: on-tap

05-19-2011 04:09:44 | More by Hoptometrist

oline73

Maryland

4.8/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I had this on-tap at Capone's during the Russian River event. Poured into a goblet. This was Batch 1.

Appearance: Pours an opaque reddish brown color with a layer of off white head that goes away completely.

Smell: Sour fruity vinegar with a hint of sweetness. I'd say it is very wine like.

Taste: Just like the smell, I'm picking up sour fruit and vinegar notes, but much smoother here than in the smell. I can taste oak, and red wine. All the flavors are in perfect balance. The finish is warm from the alcohol, very nice.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with tingly mild carbonation. The finish is dry and woody.

Overall: I haven't found a sour beer that I like better than this one. The flavors are so well balanced, and the alcohol isn't anywhere to be found. Very smooth.

Serving type: on-tap

04-02-2011 21:20:29 | More by oline73