Consecration - Russian River Brewing Company

Tucquan

Pennsylvania

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

A - Beautiful, dark, clear, tawny red with a few bubbles.

S - Sweet, delicate floral notes that is missing from the bottle. Also a lovely, sour component.

T - Currant flavor is more fresh than the raisin-like flavor it has in the bottle. Sourness and yeast of course. The tannin's aren't as pronounced. Finshes dry.

M - Light=medium body and light carbonation. Smooth, mildly crisp and refreshing.

D - Really excellent. I like it even better than when I first had it on-tap at the RR brew pub as I've learned to better-appreciate this style.

Serving type: growler

09-08-2011 21:29:30 | More by Tucquan

mtwentz

Washington

3.95/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

poured from a not full liter growler into a duvel tulip.

I got this ale, what, 4 days ago. I was a little disappointed that the tender left about an inch of air, but fortunate enough to get a growler of this delicious liquid (how do you spell beverege?).

Pours a deep purplish red. I poured from a height to revitalize some carbonation, though the ceramic plug Did give a nice pop. The off white foam disappeared almost immediately.

Smells like wine vinegar, slight dill, maybe a tinge of cranberry or some tart red berry.

The mouthfeel is soft across the palate and coats the lips like a soft red wine. Theres the dill again and sourness that gives way to more of the cranberry/currant tones. Theres a bit of sugar that I can actually feel light up endorfins, but the ale finishes somewhat dry. Makes the saliva glands leak with the sourness.

Serving type: growler

03-01-2011 05:20:16 | More by mtwentz

beachbum1975

Ohio

4.63/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Growler from a recent trade with sholland119. Thanks VERY much, Scott!

I've had bottled & corked Consecration on multiple occasions, but this is my first RR sour in a growler format. Batch #4.

Poured a gorgeous, clear root beer brown with light tan edges. Despite sitting in a growler for 2 weeks, I got a 1/2 inch, white head with compact bubbles. The head fizzled out quickly leaving a fine ring of fizz around the edges of my Lost Abbey tulip.

I got sour cherries, apple cider and new oak on the nose. There was also hints of figs and strawberries. Rich and stong, very nice.

Wow, what a beer. Complex, full bodied and masterfully balanced. The flavor hits you big at first, then fades quickly leaving a faint and pleasing oak film in the aftertaste. There are so many flavors swirling around in the sourness that it's hard to identify them! Like the nose, the predominant flavors are sour cherries, apple cider and new oak.

The champagne yeasts in this beer work perfectly. Not too much, not too little.

I am officially ready to move to the San Diego area so I can have RR sours on a regular basis.

Serving type: growler

11-26-2010 00:47:36 | More by beachbum1975

hwwty4

Missouri

3.38/5  rDev -24.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to GRC1313 for leaving this at my house after a pretty profound Saison tasting.

Poured a new 375ml into my Dogfish Head snifter. Fairly positive its the first batch in the new 375's but I have already recycled the bottle without looking at it. This beer pours a prune brown with just a hint of a tan head that leaves no lacing. Very little carbonation leaving no bubbles. The aroma is extremely fruity. Tart organic cherry juice with prunes and dates mixed with just a hint of fresh oak. It terms of tartness, most of it seems to coming from a lactic twang. The flavor is much the same. Sour cherry juice dominates the flavor profile. Hints of fig and date come thorough behind the cherry. Oak comes through at the very tail of the profile. Major lactic acid presence. It really feels one dimensional. This is really one of those beers that no matter how dirty your teeth are, they come out feeling clean. The mouthfeel is very full for a sour. Really enjoyable. It really feels full on the palate and finishes extremely dry. Great. I've been lucky enough to have every batch of Consecration. While it is a good beer, I dont think its in the realm of Russian Rivers other sours or in the top echelons of American Wilds.

Serving type: growler

10-13-2010 02:22:16 | More by hwwty4

ghostwalker

Massachusetts

3.63/5  rDev -18.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Ruby and brown body. Thin white head. Low carb.

Nose is bitter, smoky, fruity. I can smell that it has a high ABV.

Taste is boozy, bitter, tangy, fruity and complex. Interesting and somewhat woody.

Mouthfeel is dry and tart. Slightly astringent.

Drinkability is moderate, slightly drying. The bitterness limits drinkability somewhat.

Serving type: growler

09-01-2009 08:52:40 | More by ghostwalker

Georgiabeer

Georgia

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

Thanks so much to Grant for sharing this wonderful growler with me, RustyDiamond, Brickstoredave, Ding, Atlantabeerdog, and SaintNathanial. Absolutely delicious and a great pleasure to drink this with friends. Poured a garnet tinged amber with a slight head. Beautiful color. Lovely aromas of cherries and ruby Port, with some astringency on the finish. Tastes tremendously complex with cherries, a little bit of funk, quite loamy and bitter- not horseblanket funk, but an earthier, forest funk. Quite astringent and a bit of sweet licorice on the finish. Dark and brooding with wildly interesting flavors. Quite intriguing. Smooth, tannic, and sour in the mouth. Utterly delicious and fascinating and extremely easy to drink despite the high abv.

Serving type: growler

01-25-2009 02:26:58 | More by Georgiabeer

ralflord

Connecticut

4.88/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Thanks Dyan

Oh my fucking god is this a great fucking beer!! Poured into a double bastard glass. The lacing was tight with a smallish head. Beautiful amber color, with a wonderful sour and wine smell.

The taste was amazing. The beer, sour and wine flowed together in perfect balance. I loved the sour aftertaste.

The drinkability was off the charts, even though this is a high alcoholic beer. I could drink this all night.

Amazing beer!

Serving type: growler

01-15-2009 05:14:02 | More by ralflord

tpd975

Florida

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

Huge thanks goes out to Gillard for coming through with this gem.

A: Pours a brillant amber hue that is flat in color and appearence. No head at all with zero lace. Good for the style.

S: The aromas are bold and big on wine. Tons of sour red fruit with hints of sweet tarts, funk, and cherry juice. Inviting.

T: The sweet tarts come thru as does a bit of crushed aspirin. Beneath that is a wonderful mix of red fruit that is heavy on the cherries. Winey sourness pushes thru along with bits of wood, and vineous qualities. Yummy.

M: Medium in body, a bit sharp on the tongue with a dry finish.

D: I had several glasses.

Serving type: growler

12-29-2008 22:32:08 | More by tpd975

Floydster

California

4.6/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Growler from the brewery, I was stoked that my buddy Dane brought this back for me on his trip home from San Francisco, damn it was expensive though, split with my dad, poured into my New Belgium snifter, color was a dark red with some purple tint, minimal bubbly tannish head that went away quickly, no lacing, smell was black currants, raspberries, cherries, brett, oak, mild booze, toffee, sugar, and tart, flavor was great and you could not taste the ten percent at all, starts off with a nice sour bite, soft carbonation allows the grapes and cherry flavor to really come out in the middle, musty earthiness in the finish with more tart, like how this one feels at the end, mellows as it warms but nice sugary fruit work well with the sourness, mouthfeel is full and rounded, thicker body for a sour with a lower level of carbonation, taste lingers very well, easiest drinking ten percent beer out there, feel free to argue if you disagree, could have finished the jug off myself, not heavy on the stomach, somehow refreshing which is incredible for how strong it is, those red wine barrels did wonders to this one, Vinnie does not brew a bad sour and one thing is for sure, I will buying numerous bottles when this stuff is finally released outside of the pub, highly recommended

Serving type: growler

12-20-2008 04:07:58 | More by Floydster

ATLbeerDog

Georgia

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

Pours a root beer color with almost no head (from a growler). The small head that is there quickly dissipates. The heavy aroma of sourness has me sniffing for a tad longer than usual. First sip is a puckering sour with wild yeast notes completely in charge. A wine flavor slips through the bitterness. Even with a somewhat low carbonation, the mouthfeel here is excellent. Truly an amazing beer. WOW!

Serving type: growler

12-14-2008 17:22:33 | More by ATLbeerDog

gford217

Georgia

4.5/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Growler courtesy of Strelnikov poured into a goblet.

Pours a deep, clear copper with a decent bubbly cream head that dissipated quickly to a thin collar.

The aroma is wonderfully complex with the slightly sharp currant sweetness on top of a sugary sweetness. The barrel characteristics are also present with hints of vanilla in the nose. The brett is there to lend an ever-so-slight sourness with a complementary earthy funk in the background.

The taste seems to be a more complex and balanced version of the nose. The sweetness hits up front with the light tartness of the currants balanced by the underlying sugars. The brett makes its presence felt but the finish is very vinous with the oak playing a role as well.

The mouthfeel is lightly carbonated and very wine-like with a dry finish and bits of funk throughout.

This is a fantastic beer and one of the better sours I've had the opportunity to try. It's superbly well balanced and extraordinarily drinkable for the ABV. Highly recommended.

Serving type: growler

12-13-2008 03:53:23 | More by gford217

MNishCT77

District of Columbia

4.53/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

12.68 oz. (375 mL) bottle purchased at Ales Unlimited in San Francisco, bottled on 1/31/13, poured into my FFF Teku glass and drank over ~30 minutes.

A: 4.5 - dark (almost blood) red-brown coloration, moderate clarity, quickly dissipating yellow fizzy suds that resolves in seconds to a thin glass lacing, moderare alcohol legs for 10.00% on swirling that reagitates the carbonation

S: 4.75 - lots of cabernet and tannin, lactobacillus sour notes, alcohol aromas that are actually more present in the aroma than the taste

T: 4.5 - as expected, little-to-no hop flavors or bittneness; initial flavors that I'm pulling out are sweet malts with sour flavors on the back end, pleasing aftertaste of sour grapes and tannins; little-to-no alcohol flavors, which is impressive for a 10.00% American wild ale

M: 4.25 - high carbonation that pops flavors into your mouth; lightly bodied; again, the alcohol remains well-masked in the mouthfeel

O: 4 5 - one of the better American sour ales brewed with a concoction of yeast and bacteria; there are some really nice flavors and aromas imparted by the aging in cabernet savignon barrels; however, I am a little underwhelmed after seeing a 99 rating on BA; I picked it up for $13.99 in SF, which, to be frank, is too steep for the quality and have seen it for as much as $30.00 in D.C., which, to be franker, is insane

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2013 03:34:20 | More by MNishCT77

GuzzLah

Illinois

4.46/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - pours a fairly clear dark amber with an ephemeral head. No lace. No bubbles.

S - pedio/lacto sourness, big oak, vanilla, currants, pineapple and red wine.

T - follows the aroma. Acetic. Assertive barrel note. Very smooth 10%.

M - light-medium body. Creamy and slightly oily. Dry. Sour, but not super sour.

O - I consider this to be an Imperial Flanders with a twist and a very tasty one. Certainly not the most extreme sour, but that isn't a negative coming from a sour head. Brewed with careful restraint, but far from being bland. Very good beer!

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 18:39:28 | More by GuzzLah

ajramirez1

Washington

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

Poured into a tulip glass. Very nice looking beer. Labeled a wild ale and its def a solid sour beer. Not a huge fan of sour beer at this point but i can handle them. This beer is awesome. 10% stands out but the taste is so good. The smell is outstanding.

I believe its worth the hype. His beer would just get better with age. Rating may be higher if i had my wild ale/sours under my belt. Comparing this with Brux, another wild ale. Brux is avg at best, brrr is $$$.

A-

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 00:39:28 | More by ajramirez1

Doc_Hops

Pennsylvania

4.68/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

A- Consecration pours a gorgeous, deep, ruby red. The head is a slightly tan color but it goes away just as quickly as its poured.

S- Just like its counterpart, Supplication, the wine barrel aging plays a big roll in the smell. Dark, rich, wine notes come through first giving way to the currents added to the mix.

T- Wow. Incredibly sour yet a bit of sweet mellowing on the back end. What a dry taste as well. Cherries, currents, and event an interesting malty sweetness going on.

M- Absolutely no head yet an interesting, effervescent feel to it. Fuller bodied than Supplication yet just as easily drinkable. Still can't get over how dry it is as well. It's in perfect balance.

O- Wonderful beer. Incredibly complex and balanced. So much going on here and yet so simple. Hard to describe but very easy to enjoy...and has an incredible kick at 10.00%... For a wild, I'll take it!.

Serving Type- 12oz bottle poured into an oversized wine glass. Thanks for reading.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 04:48:47 | More by Doc_Hops

hopoilcrazy

Tennessee

4.24/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Another bottle popped at Yazoo's Embrace the Funk Fest

Great Tawny Port color and nice lacing from a thin cap of head

The aroma of this sour is out of control: tobacco, catty, ashy, faint vanilla, dark fruit, red grape, apple skin, slightly buttery - every bacteria listed on the bottle is represented here.

The flavor is great and balanced with a surprisingly mild tang. I was expecting a wallop, but it is mild and restrained...even a little subtle. Cookie spiciness, leather, acetobacter?? Very dry finish with no residual sugar to fuck everything up

The mouthfeel is vibrant and lively carbonated. Feels great on the tongue.

Thanks to ETF Fest for this sample!

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 23:11:37 | More by hopoilcrazy

Stevedore

Wisconsin

4.6/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

375cc cork and caged bottle, batch 004x1, poured into a Russian River snifter at cellar temperature and quaffed today, 5/4/2013

Aroma: Punched in the face with sourness. Tart cherries, raspberry and blackberry all jammed together. A lot of it reminds me of a good red wine (I assume Cabernet) that's gone sour. And definitely sour grapes, vinegar with a touch of earthiness. That part is like being in a barn, but subdued. I'm thinking that's the Brett funk. Full bodied nose for sure. (4)

Colour: Pours a very dark, opaque reddish brown body with minimal head, though one gets mesermized looking at the film on the surface that's got tons of tiny bubbling and bubbling in spots. It's really cool. The collar is actually quite thick, dense and white. The lacing is superbly thick like the collar, but quickly falls back into the collar. Otherwise, a tasty appearing dark ale. (4)

Flavour: Damn! This is why I love wild ales. Refreshing quantities of tart dark fruits- cherry, raspberry, blackberry, plus some honey and a good bit of the underlying brown ale malts. A good bit of vinegar hits in the middle of the experience, which rather accentuates the sweet and sour clash here. There's even a little bit of oakiness and smokiness in the finish. Overall a very complex, tasty blend of sweet fruits and malt, sourness and even more sour funkiness accentuated by some earthy oak. Truly a pleasure to quaff. (5)

Mouthfeel: Thinner medium bodied brew with excellent, and I truly mean excellent carbonation. It fizzes all over my mouth, coating my palate with pure sourness and earthy funk. It truly feels like a thicker, sour wine yet it brings more to the table than a merlot that's been sitting out for too long. The carbonation is fantastic and the finish is stunningly fizzly and clean yet it leaves my palate with a nice oaky, earthy aftertaste that I savor. There is absolutely no indication that this beer is a 10%. None. It's almost perfect. (4.5)

Overall: Another awesome AWA by Russian River. It's definitely a beer that any wine lover would enjoy, and absolutely a beer that any sour lover will love. It borrows a lot of characteristics of the used Cabernet barrels, but the base malt really makes itself known amidst all the sour, dark-fruity and earthy funkiness. There's a lot going on here that comes together very well, and it's truly an excellent bottle of beer to drink. (4.5)

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 19:18:36 | More by Stevedore

rickyleepotts

Arizona

4.5/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.75

Yet another Russian River beer using Brett. Ugh. I HATE Brett. Of course, the last Russian River beer we drank, also a sour beer, that used Brett was amazing. I hope this one is, too. Sheryl asked me what Brett was. For those of you that don't know, Brettanomyces is a wild yeast strain that is known for having earthy flavors. Think about a barnyard… now lick the ground. That is what that yeast strain is famous for. Some like it… I don't.

Today's beer is aged in red wine barrels, specifically cabernet sauvignon barrels. Not a big wine guy, but know enough about the stuff to recall the flavor of the stuff. Hopefully some of those notes carry over here, too. I like sour beers, and I hope this one delivers. After this bottle, only one more Russian River beer on the list!

In the Glass: It almost looks like Diet Coke in the glass. It is thin, near black, and leaves a very thin white head. No lace to speak of, and the bubbles are so tight that you would think this is soda. I like Diet Coke, so maybe I will like this beer. I actually hope I like this beer, as the typical breadwinners for them aren't that impressive.

Nose: I could smell this as I was pouring it, and all I could smell was sour notes. When smelling the beer itself, it has some dirty/earthy flavors, but I guarantee that is from the yeast. The sour is obvious, but not overwhelming. It smells good. Speaking of smelling good, I REALLY want to start a company making scented candles. They would all smell like beer! Imagine coming home to a house smelling like your favorite IPA! That, or I could just sprinkle hope around the house. Either way!

Flavor: Based on what I was smelling, I didn't expect it to be this sour. But the sourness keeps coming until you swallow. It's a bit too cold, but the sourness is pretty intense. If you don't like sour beers, BEWARE! This is candy tart and leaves a lingering finish that is, with each swallow, just as tart. I like it!!!

I am getting some of those wine barrel notes toward the end. I am sure that some of that are the currants used in the brewing process, but some of those full-bodied characteristics that I expect when drinking a glass of red wine are shining through. It says on the bottle, "4 to 8 months" in regards to the time spent in the barrels. I wonder how the brewmaster decides just how long to age each batch.

Mouthfeel: The first half of the palate is bored, but when the sour flavors start to kick in toward the back of the palate, things begin to get interesting. As this beer is heating up, the sour is starting to become lip sucking sour; almost too much to bear. This is NOT a beer that you will drink more than 1 or 2 of in one sitting. The ABV, coming in at 10.5%, is hidden, so even if you could drink a lot of this, you wouldn't be able to!

Aftertaste: The aftertaste hangs around for a few minutes, and for the first handful of sips, remains quite sour. I would love to give a sip of this to someone that never drinks craft beer just to see his or her reaction. Tom, a buddy from Old Town, is starting to get into craft beer. I bet he would like this offering.

That is two Brett beers in a row that I have enjoyed. Maybe my palate is coming along. Speaking of Brett, I am texting Jazz, a beer nut from Total Wine, and he is sitting at World Of Beer. He goes to ASU and it's close… forgive him. He said someone just turned in an appellation and said her favorite beer was Blue Moon. Ha! I laughed.

Anyway, well done Russian River. You have outdone yourself yet again. We need to plan a trip to California so we can start visiting some of these brewing companies. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 22:28:30 | More by rickyleepotts

kawilliams81

Illinois

4.39/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Batch 005X1F. Poured from a 375 ml cork n caged bottle into a La Chouffe tulip.

A- Pours a dark copper, ruby color with a 2 finger tan head. Lots of bubble coming to the surface with minimal lacing.

S- Honey, dark fruits (blackberries, cranberries, raspberries), vinegar, straw

T- Caramel, toasted malts, vinegar, sour dark fruits, oak, spices and light pepper.

M- Medium body and high carbonation. Effervescent, acidic, and some dryness at the finish.

O- 7/10 sourness. Another good sour from RR. Light sweetness, with vinegar and dark fruits make this a well balanced sour. I would take Supplication over this but this is still close.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2013 02:31:38 | More by kawilliams81

magictacosinus

California

4.46/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Excited to finally try this. Bottling date is "01/31/13," and was consumed today. Batch number is unknown. Poured out of a 375ml bottle into a teku glass.

Pours a surprisingly brownish-amber color that is coated with lightly tinged reddish tones, to the say the very least. The colors seem to be interchangeable depending if it's in the light or not, but it's exactly what I'd expect given the base beer and Cabernet barrels used (as well as the currants). Carbonation is lively depending highly on the pour, but in my case I got about a tiny, modest coat of white head that quickly dissipated and left behind streaks of bubbles underneath. In fact, when extra yeast was added, such bubbles would actually rise to the top and pop! It's clear and viscous like wine or any great Lambic I've had in the past, and is very hazy from the start. Looks very unique, and very intriguing.

The aroma is pretty ridiculous, however, and given that this is a pretty wild recipe to begin with, I can't say I'm surprised what I got myself into. At the front there's an instant charge of mustiness combined with soured, almost pickled fruitiness, consisting of apricots, oranges, sour grapes, lemon, and lots of upfront, jubilant phenols. The currants are definitely doing their job here, although it's pretty subtle, just like the Cabernet vinous phenols are. Lots of oak charges up the nostrils, combined with a lot of funk and stinging sensations caused by all the wild yeasts in this. The Brett is obvious, but the Pediococcus is really sharp here, no doubt due to the wood and wine texture underlying the beer base. Really unique and fascinating, but totally intense.

Wow, the flavor is really something else, not just in the realm of sours, but RR beers as well. There's an instant, overflowing sour sharpness that takes over the palate, and coats it with all kinds of fruity esters, ranging from cherries to berries to apple tart to apricots to acidic sweet grapes... And on and on and on. Absolutely juicy tasting, but it does eventually fade and get melded with grape must and sour bacteria-induced woodiness, and then finishes with a brown ale flavor that is crisp but definitely not as over-the-top as the initial rush. Huge vinegar notes too. The bacteria strains are doing something phenomenal here... But I also have to credit the Cabernet must and white oak for rounding up the flavor to something more complex. The currants don't seem to be very present, but I think they did a good enough job. The oak, in fact, adds this vibrant texture that is very tannic and tea-like, almost to the point where my friend who I split this with told me it reminded her of kombucha. With the yeasty funk and tartness, I can totally see that. Alcohol is scarily hidden at 10%. Refreshing, and crisp to drink. The acidity never becomes grating, although the wood does get overly astringent. Wild and rustic as any beer in this style should be. NOTE: I highly recommend not pouring the dregs into this. The Lactobacillus in particular puckers up the joint in an acidic manner that is interesting but mutes a lot of the subtle nuances.

Wow! This definitely is very different from other sours I've had, and is a totally different beast compared to Supplication, for instance. There's less focus on fruit or tart and lot more on grape must, oak melding properties, and bacterial funk. Not my favorite, but really refined and perhaps unlike any American Wild Ale in the country. I will be sure to save another one of these for a special occasion. It's not as accessible, and definitely for wine fans (such as myself) and of the strange and sour stuff, but it's definitely a must for people looking to get into more ambitious beer styles. World class stuff, in my view.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 22:08:59 | More by magictacosinus

Hendry

Vermont

4.8/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

This was part of a tasting, and my friend who saved the bottle along with some Pliny, treated me to some of the finest beers I have ever tried.

Okay, this one was a bit over my head as it is true connoisseur Ale, but it was an amazing tasting. Deep ruby red color, strong aroma of stone fruits,nicely effervescent and really wakes up your palate with a tremendous currant flavor that is incredibly tasty, with a nice dry finish.
There is a delectable tartness that is unique to this Wild Ale.

Thanks to great beer friends that appreciate sharing with others!

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2013 03:04:07 | More by Hendry

Axnjxn

North Carolina

4.61/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

375ML corked bottle poured into a snifter glass. 01/31/13 bottling date

Pours a gorgeous copper red color with a ton of bubbles, but the head is not out of control like you would expect from the amount of carbonation. Thousands of tiny white bubbles shoot from the bottle of the glass up towards the top, quite a sight to behold. Just about the perfect looking beer. Aroma is out of this world. Its got sweet cherries and grapes that you can smell from feet away. Taste is so tart, i love it! Sour raspberries, cherries, grapes dominate the palate here. I cannot believe this is 10%ABV, i'm blown away. A lingering tartness on the tongue after you swallow allows you to enjoy the flavor for quite some time. High carbonation, medium bodied. Goes down smooth and leaves you desiring to have another sip right away.

Overall we have a world class beer right here. Russian River really knows what theyre doing and may hold the top spot as best brewery in the world with so many quality offerings. I return to this beer again and again.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2013 21:31:40 | More by Axnjxn

JamesMN

Minnesota

4.55/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Completely opaque caramel brown color with some visible carbonation and a fizzy light tan head.

Aroma: A tart bouquet of light fruits with a hint of black cherries. There is a very slight oak presence that rounds out the aroma nicely. Something about the aroma feels reminiscent of the warmer summer months.

Taste: A very gentle sour that rewards the palate with hearty flavors of fig, apple, raisin, and black cherry that are all moderately tart. The oak character comes out near the finish and the aftertaste is both sweet and tart with a small amount of heat from the otherwise undetectable 10% ABV. The tartness is at its most aggressive at the start and becomes less and less present from the finish to the aftertaste. Quite a nice balance overall.

Mouthfeel: Lighter than medium on body possible part of an illusion created by the soda-like carbonation. However, it does have quite a smooth and easy drinkability.

Final Thoughts: This is only the third or fourth sour I've had but it was very good and easily approachable for any craft drinker. I would hazard a guess that the oak aging has really smoothed out the flavor. Would I drink it again? Yes, but it's definitely a special occasion type of beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2013 23:38:36 | More by JamesMN

Gameover170

Indiana

4.93/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

My second sour, this is fantastic!

Smell of cherries, raspberries, currants and spice.

Taste is delicious, fruity, sour but yet can taste the cab in the back of throat.

Mouthful is medium, lightly carbonated.

Overall, really digging sours, and this is at the top of the list of must haves

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 00:19:50 | More by Gameover170

gcamparone

Rhode Island

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

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a tulip. Acquired in a trade from chalupa_batman, thanks!

A- Pours a clear amber body with a fizzy white 2" head that rises and reduces quickly to leave zero lacing or head.

S- Smells similar to the other RR wilds, but it's a little more wine-forward. I get an acidic berry/cherry/fermented fruit aroma with leather, wood, must, and dry red wine. Some spices and vinegar are in the background. Smells awesome.

T- Quite tart with sour cherry, green apple, and woody oak notes upfront that develop into red wine (cabernet is definitely present). Red wine vinegar and musty notes are in the background. Leaves a sour taste on the palette. No booze detected.

M- Medium-light body. Medium-low carbonation.

Another world class impression of the American Wild by RR. The cabernet barrel aging really adds a whole new dimension of complexity to this beer. Well done.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2013 22:27:09 | More by gcamparone