Consecration - Russian River Brewing Company

icepik

Rhode Island

4.75/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: dark amber color, hazy, almost no head.

S: Fruity aroma reminiscent of cherry and raisins with a hint of sourness and phenol, very nice.

T: Sour –tart flavor, pretty smooth and not too strong, some phenol and wood-wine notes (this is barrel aged after all), fruit notes in the aroma carries through very nicely in the flavor. Some alcohol warmth at finish, but much more tart than boozy.

M: Soft mouth feel, fairly high carbonation gives it a bubbly feel.

O: This is a pretty complex sour ale, but it might be better to call it a "tart" ale. The sourness is better described that way. Highly recommended to try. Really like the balance, it provides a refreshing flavor on the tongue. If you like fruit-tart-wood-wine notes in a beer, you should love this.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2012 20:15:56 | More by icepik

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

gawnphishin

Texas

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

Poured into a snifter, many thanks to augustgarage for my first Russian River brews. Batch 005X1F.

A- Pours a cloudy yellow brown with a small, quickly dissipating head.

S- Great aromas here. A mediocre amount of brett funk, and lost of red wine and oak. There is a very small presence of vinegar that is welcoming.

T- The brett really shines through in the taste. The perfect amount of tart and no alcohol at all. Hints of oak and red wine again.

M- Perfectly dry and full. Medium carbonation.

D- This is easily the most drinkable sour I have tried. There is no appearent alcohol and such wonderful flavor.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2011 04:45:58 | More by gawnphishin

harrymattcody

South Carolina

3.58/5  rDev -19.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

From a bottle received in a trade.

A murky brown with shades of red results from he pour. Nothing too crazy forms on top and the result is no lace to speak of. Not a problem, though, with barrel aging and so forth. Aromas of tobacco, leather anwood dominate with maybe a hint of fruit. Taste is a pretty spot on regarding the nose and that's where it loses me. Consecration is definitely a quality brew but those tastes just aren't for me. A nice feel in the mouth with just enough carbonation to keep it lively.

Probably not something I'll come back to in the near future, but I can see the appeal and appreciate the quality that Russian River puts out.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2011 13:39:35 | More by harrymattcody

blincoln

California

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

From notes -

Poured into a Russian River glass

Appearance: Pours a dark reddish chestnut brown with lots of carbonation coming from the bottom (almost looks like a sake soda). Almost no head, just a thin layer kept alive from the heavy flow of bubbles.

Aroma: Sour apple and berries, with a hint of sweet wine smell coming from the barrels.

Taste: Sour candy like taste similar to the smell, but making it hard to identify individual flavors. Sour grape, apples, berries, and a wine flavor leading into a sweet finish. The tartness subsides as Consecration warms.

Palette: Smooth, light bodied, and crisp - which is surprising given the amount of carbonation.

Overall: Not as sour or flavorful as New Belgium's La Folie, but better than most other sours I've had - especially given that it doesn't cost near as much as La Folie. A complex blend of fruity flavors but maybe a bit too sour as its a tad over powering. Definitely a contender for one of my favorites.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2011 01:55:00 | More by blincoln

Fweezle

Nevada

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

Had this bottle of batch 1 sitting in the cellar and decided to crack it open.
Pourned a murky reddish brown with a soda fizz head that dissipated as quickly as it formed. Smell was really great. Deep musty wood, a hint of barnyard and sour fruit. Taste rivaled the tartness of La Folie, bracingly sour. I couldn't believe it. A healthy dose of barnyard funk intermingled with red wine tannins and oak wood. Almost spicy. Outstanding. Mouthfeel was light, not too fizzy but kept a nice sour tartness on the tongue. Not thin by any means. Drinkablility was pretty good although it was a little rough getting the last bit down. I could feel the glands in my jaw start to swell a little bit, and my mouth was getting pretty dry from all the tartness, but didn't change the amazingness of this beer. 10%? No way.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2010 12:28:04 | More by Fweezle

jradams76

Indiana

4.03/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Got this in a trade from Beerdy! Thanks!

A: Nice dark amber color. Leaves a small ring of white head

S: You can smell the sourness and the hints of fruits with this one.

T: First sip is sour, sour and guess what more sour. Dry fruit follows once you get accustomed to the tartness. A hint of the fruit sweetness gets through but then followed by the sourness.

M: I imagine I was drinking a dry red wine instead of a beer.

D: A great sour that is pretty dry. This was my first sour which I was excited about and scared about if I would like it. Cant wait to try more sours!

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2011 22:54:30 | More by jradams76

gonzowestwood

Connecticut

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

375 ml bottle, batch number 007

A- Dark cherry, deep amber with a small head that leaves quickly

S- Plum, raisin, oak, sour cherry and a touch of booze. Smells like an corked wine in a good way

T- The taste is jaw dropping. Dark fruits, Cherries, Plums, Currants, pipe tobacco, an nice oaky pinot noir with a touch of sour

M- Medium to full with lively carbonation

O- More of a wine then a beer. Must say i like this more then 'Supplication' the taste and smell will blow your hair back.

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2012 15:30:39 | More by gonzowestwood

Llewellyn9

California

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

The appearance was definitely intriguing. Poured a foamy tan head that quickly dissipated. The color was amazing, an almost plum purple.

Smell was acidic yet sweet, berries and red wine break through the vinegar. No hops, but who needs 'em when you got brett?

Taste and mouthfeel were no doubt puckering, but this was an extremely well balanced ale. Beautiful red wine and berry notes are perfectly complemented by the acidity. No alcohol present whatsoever. An expertly done ale. I have to say this beer makes me reconsider my previous ratings.

This beer is complex and intriguing, I could probably finish off a bottle of this by my self, but maybe not much more.

Loved it...

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2009 04:20:09 | More by Llewellyn9

Sechavar

California

4.93/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Got a bottle of Batch 1 (involuntary response) from Hi Times in Costa Mesa, CA. Smelled like currant jam and a little bit of balsamic vinegar had been smeared right on my upper lip, and I eagerly awaited licking it off. Poured like juice, slightly viscous, thin syrup, like from canned fruit. Little to no head. Tastes like (involuntary response) currants picked at the peak of perfection, crushed by the feet of nubile virgins. And I was licking their feet, gratefully, smacking my lips, licking my lips, leaving it in my mouth just to tease to see how long I could go without swallowing it. When it was finished, I was a little tipsy and begging for more.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2009 03:38:07 | More by Sechavar

TKEAnimal

California

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

This was the first sour I have tasted and I was surprised with the taste. I bought this beer with huge expectations and I was not disappointed. When I poured into my glass it was a dark brown color with a very thin head, which I was not expecting. Since it is a sour I was expecting a lighter color, because I was picturing a lemon shot or something.

When I smelled this beer it smelled like a floral bouquet. I kept telling my wife to smell it because it smelled so good.

Then when I drank it felt like I was drinking wine and not beer. So I tried it again and I was shocked that this is called a beer.

Overall this is a good beer that s very drinkable even though it is at 10% ABV. If you have friends that are wine drinkers you need to have them try this, they will love it.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2010 04:14:57 | More by TKEAnimal

kazmaniac

California

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

Appearance - Poured slowly into an oversized red wine glass to keep the extra yeast in the bottle. The head was extremely alive during the pour (think alka-seltzer) then quickly dissipated to nothing. Color is a cloudy mahogany.

Smell - Dark fruit and slightly jammy sour red wine.

Taste - Initially tastes like sour fruit which moves on to dry champagne and has a lasting crisp tart finish. Farther into the glass, the taste adds some raspberry qualities. Alcohol is hidden and unobtrusive. Has more depth than the other Russian River sours.

Mouthfeel - Has a light champagne tingly mouthfeel.

Drinkability - A good sipping ale but hard to put down. Has a funky wine vibe going on.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2010 04:34:59 | More by kazmaniac

APetitfils

California

4.13/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Light, almost Red-copper, lightens up to a more golden brown when in direct light. Tried in a snifter

S: Initial sour tones. Replaced with definite oaky wine signatures. Fruity smells interlaced as well. After opening up the richness of the oaky-wine and fruit aromas become more prevalent, blends with the alcohol

T: Sour-sweetness overrides all first flavors and sensations. As is opens up the oak and cabernet remnants become nicely apparent and equalize the sour beginning.
NOTE: Truly my initial impression was shock. The sourness was so strong that I almost fell aghast. Yet, with patience its true oak and cabernet personality began to show itself. Sweeter taste after breathing

Mouthfeel: The lack of strong carbonation is taken over by the sourness and tannins from the oak conditioning. Again, after opening up the richness becomes more apparent, but never surpasses the sour blast. The alcohol did not produce strong warmth

Drinkability: This beer was my first funky American Wild Ale that was conditioned in cabernet oak casks. The sourness was honestly overpowering at first, both through the smell and taste (more so with the taste). However, as the beer opened up the aromas firstly became very exciting and did the beer's conditioning absolute justice. The taste took longer to come around, but as I began to realize the complexity I wanted nothing but more.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2010 01:39:54 | More by APetitfils

washingtonydc

District of Columbia

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

Smuggling isn't known as a noble profession--its operators have been called everything from mules to nerf herders. Yet, as I crossed state lines with a cache of Russian River in tow, I felt more than an adrenaline-fueled thrill--I felt a pentecostal wind sweeping me onward and upward, giving my smuggled Consecration a heavenly imprimatur.

This rush continued once I uncaged and uncorked the 375ml bottle. A thick, luscious, tan head rapidly diminished to nothingness, without a trace of its once mighty presence. I poured it into a tulip glass, its mahogany taking on shades of plum and the beer appeared almost as if it were glowing from within the glass. Consecrated indeed! Its smell put me in a Proustian fit, immediately recalling childhood trips to Napa Vally where I was only allowed to merely smell the corks of the once-full bottles around me. The aroma was strong notes of fresh grapes and strawberries with an undercurrent of oak. Sipping the beer brought forth cherries, plums, and grapes--it was deliciously sour with a backbone of earth (no hiding the bit of brettanomyces in this beer). It finished with a hint of sweet raspberries. Its mouthfeel was a bit sticky, but nicely bodied. It makes for a fine sipping beer--the sort of beer you give a wine drinker who normally scoffs at beer.

Russian River, as is its habit, has deeply impressed me once again. It somehow has mastered the act of transubstantiation--it is able to take a worldly object and transform it into something heavenly, something sacred, indeed, something consecrated.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2011 02:34:07 | More by washingtonydc

wogreen

Arkansas

4.84/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Batch 005X1E

A - reddish brown, 1st pour was very clear, though the bottom definitely had some murkiness

S - a very pungent sour smell

T - sour cherries, a hint of wine flavors. id note that i originally drank 1 from this same batch 1 year ago and the wine notes are much more pleasant and mellow than they i remember

M -tannin-like mouthfeel, tart though again mellower than i remember

O - a phenomenal sour if you like sours, a nice blend that blends the best of wines and beers

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2013 23:46:07 | More by wogreen

chiral3

Pennsylvania

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

I loved this beer. In a few words, it is a solid ale base with a fruit overlay.

Had three bottles of the 001x2 batch. Very consistent every time (I also had a tulip from a keg to compare dissimilar batches). I am cellaring one to see what time will yield.

This beer, despite its youth, is complex. Poured into my Chimay goblet (and wine glasses) a deep ruby with a double finger of clean head. The layers in this beer arrive in stacatto fashion but, like a good risotto, have spent time accumulating.

What hit me first was the tartness of the currants. This fruit yielded to the mellowness of what must have been from the oak. I suspect that if you could strip out the currants and oak you would be left with a solid dark Belgian, but I foud it tricky to completely disambiguate. The mouthfeel was solid and the aftertaste was pleasant.

I understand that Brett was used along with two other usual suspects, but I could not discern any obvious rotting humus or bovid urine, rather just the usual organic yeast remnants.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2009 21:56:13 | More by chiral3

gpioski

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This was my very first "sour ale":

Menu says American wild ale with currants and aged in oak barrels.

A- dark red-brown. no head. decent carbonation.

S- cherries. sourness. clear hints of pinot nior wine. oak aromas.

T- Really dry. Almost tastes like a glass of wine. Can definitely taste the wine notes from the barrel. cherries/grapes/currants. Very tart and sour. No traditional beer flavors present.

M- nice texture. definitely bites back with dryness. nice carbonation. tart, but refreshing. also has a bit of alcohol bite.

D- Tasty and refreshing, but ABV makes it a bit difficult to have more than one...

Awesome, but definitely an acquired taste. My wife liked it, but one of the other wives hated it. Hop heads might not like it.

Serving type: on-tap

03-23-2010 00:23:33 | More by gpioski

Knownfactor

Colorado

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

Pours a dark amber, very little head. Aroma: Oak, Cherries, sour, sweetness. Taste: very sour currants/cherries/plums. very complex and oakey. Finish is very sour and leaves my mouth watering for more. Best sour I've had and for a 10% brew i could drink this all night.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2010 02:26:29 | More by Knownfactor

messyhair42

Colorado

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

This is my first review on BA. This beer is so outstanding I feel I must review it.

Appearance: Poured into an oversize red wine glass, pours red-brown with a thin head that disappears quickly. Using a headlamp to give it some backlight reveals a steady stream of bubbles rising to the top

Smell: Leather funk, and like spontaneously fermenting raspberries.

Taste: Like it smells, tart on the back of the tongue, caramel sweetness. I've had barrel aged beer and brett soured beer before, but never together, and this is nothing like I've tasted in either case. Its complexity changes as it warms to room temperature; the currant flavors come out more and the sourness is much more pronounced. it develops a creamy softness that balances out the flavors. the 10% alcohol is completely masked by the other flavors and textures. has a very long finish that tastes like a full bodied cabernet. the finish is complimented by a well aged asiago and a single sip of Islay single matl scotch

Mouthfeel: the carbonation tickles the tongue almost as much as the sourness.

as a whole this beer is amazing, will probably drink again as a special occasion.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2011 05:43:22 | More by messyhair42

Dobby

California

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

A: a dark ruby read with high carbonation and about a 2 finger head

S: Mostly brett with a hint of cherries and oak

T: Lots of brett up front but who says thats a bad thing. Some oak and cherries come though, mild tartness, enjoyable.

M: Well carbonated, creates a nice puckering sensation. Hint of dryness

D: I love RR sours and initially this was my favorite. Seems like a fair amount of batch variation with consecration but nonetheless a great beer by RR

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2011 21:40:18 | More by Dobby

ahpark

California

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

Poured from a 750mL bottle, batch 001X4, into a tulip. Poured almost like cola, a nice dark fizzy reddish brown. Head is almost nonexistent, as it really just fizzed out relatively quickly. Carbonation is insane; even with no head I can actually hear it fizzing away in the tulip glass.

Smells how it looks, of dark cherries, raisins, and other sour dark reddish colored fruits. An afterscent of champagne or sparkling wine is unsurprisingly evident.

Taste is very very tart. I knew this was a sour, but did not know it would be quite this pronounced. The dark black cherry taste definitely shines through, with an aftertaste of dates or figs. Reminiscent of a dry sparkling cabernet.

Mouthfeel is pretty awesome; the bottle-conditioned carbonation definitely lends the beer a light body with a nice astringency at the end.

Drinkability is definitely there. It's so similar to sparkling wine or champagne, it's a sipper for sure. The tartness really is a curveball, and I'm not quite sure how much of this I could drink without my tastebuds shriveling up and dying on me, but it's definitely refreshing. At 10%ABV though, I can't see myself drinking too much of this without having a wicked headache later in the night or the next morning.

Overall, definitely an amazing brew that everyone should try. Not something I can see myself drinking regularly, but more like a celebration brew to break out on special occasions. I'm definitely interested in cellaring this and trying it a couple years down the line.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2009 03:39:10 | More by ahpark

sherm1016

Wisconsin

4.35/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Batch 04x2, 375ml Bottle purchased at LaBodega Wine and Spirits in Riverside CA. Pours a clear, beautiful reddish-brown color with little to no head. Aroma is fruity and sour. Medium on the palate with average carbonation. Flavor is a clean sour with hints of fruit and oak. Extremely smooth. I said it about Supplication, and I'll say it about Consecration: I would drink this every day if money and availability would allow.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2011 01:56:10 | More by sherm1016

jmadrigal2

California

4.35/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had this out of the bottle.

The appearance was brown/red color with little head.

Smelled of cherry, hint of alcohol and a hint of tamarind

Taste is similar to the smell. Sweet fruity taste at the start but quickly turns tart. The tartness does not linger long and ends mildly sweet.

I like this beer a lot and always pick up a bottle to enjoy whenever I can.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2011 22:18:36 | More by jmadrigal2

duncan9idaho

Colorado

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

Color is dark amber with small lacing. Head was think on pour. Nose has barnyard, coffee, fruit, and a hint of perfume. Taste was strong sour with hay and fruit flavor finishing with a hint of tannin and bread. Not the most drinkable beer but a 10 ounce pour will do the trick. Excellent!

Serving type: on-tap

06-23-2009 23:53:49 | More by duncan9idaho

socaltay

California

4.33/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Aroma is very sour with notes of fruit. The appearance is a brandy color with red hints coming through. The taste is sour, but in the best way possible. It is a perfect example of a wine-barrel aged beer. My favorite sour ale at the moment by far. Hopefully my local store will have some more soon. Russian River Brewing really has their act together with a great variety of top notch beers coming out, I have yet to be disappointed.

Serving type: on-tap

04-02-2011 04:41:00 | More by socaltay