Consecration - Russian River Brewing Company

ArrogantB

Colorado

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

$22 750ml bottle batch 001x02. Red-brown color with almost no head yet it feels fizzy in my mouth. The smell is really quite interesting but subtle. Tobacco, chocolate, barrel, some brett, jam. The flavor is tart, sweet, hmmm... good, but not amazing like Deviation or the other RR barrel-aged beers.

Batch 002x02 06/2009

Pretty damn good, life is short, buy this beer.

Batch 002x02 08/2009

Quite good, smell is slightly dung-ish, lip-smacking sour fruits, good

Batch 001x02 09/2009

More tasty than it was fresh, might be worth saving.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2009 04:13:16 | More by ArrogantB

srandycarter

California

4.22/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Dark bourbon color, not much head, leaves fast to ring. Big pop when opening. Small tight bubbled lacing.

S - Tart cherries, crisp, some yeast and fading malt tones.

T - Taste replicates smell to a tee.

M - Well carbed, tartness fades and dry finish. Quality stuff.

D - ABV well hidden. Tartness does not tire easily. Think I am getting used to fine sours.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2009 03:56:50 | More by srandycarter

ehammond1

California

4.95/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Bottle (2009/Batch 2)

Churchill's Pub & Grille
San Marcos, CA

(Aged 2 years)

Dark cherry red and auburn, bordering on brown, with a thin khaki head. Spotted lacing down the glass.

An incredible array of aromas that come together magnificently: sweet cherries and currants provide the primary sweetness, tart, biting, stinging sour notes leap from the glass, all smoothed out by an inviting, welcoming aroma of rich wood, earth, and vanilla.

The taste is just as spectacular as the nose. I've had this beer a number of times, and this 2-year-old version has been by far the standout. The sourness is still there, biting and stinging, balanced with the rich, earthy, and sweet flavors from the fruit, all alongside the rich yet subtle notes from the barrel. There's an underlying sticky toffee sweetness coming through I don't remember in previous versions, and, as always, there isn't the slightest hint of a 10% ABV.

Smooth, light yet full, crisp, and refreshing.

An absolutely perfect, infinitely complex, sour ale. I'm happy Josh ordered this 2-year-old bottle, as I can never keep myself from opening the ones I buy for myself.

An all-time favorite of mine.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2011 20:46:32 | More by ehammond1

Hojaminbag

Colorado

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

Batch 002x3

Consecration has a deep ruby-colored body that appears to be brown in the absence of light. The tan head is very fizzy, appearing and disappearing more quickly than head on a soda would.

The aroma has a lot going on, with all kinds of wild yeast providing musty and sour notes, a little bit of sweet malts, some wood and a dose of currants.

Two distinct flavors that I notice right away are the piquant sourness of the lacto, and the musty, horsey flavor from the brett. Between the two, the sourness from the lacto is definitely more powerful, as the brett lingers in the background, adding complexity. Next I notice a little bit of oak and a good currant flavor that I would guess has faded over the couple of years since this beer was brewed. A little bit more sourness comes next, but it is more acidic and a little less sharp than what I encountered in the beginning. A bit of moderately dark sweet malt pops up, but only for a second before the finish is big and dry, with notes of dry red wine in it.

The carbonation is fairly high and almost champagne-like when it first hits your mouth.

Having bought this bottle in PA, I paid quite a bit for it. Looking back, I wish I had bought a whole case of the stuff. It certainly isn't the type of beer you could drink a few of in a night, but it is the type of beer you could drink one of all night. 10% ABV? I would have believed it was 6% if someone had told me, the alcohol is nowhere to be found amidst the layers of yeast, barrel character and malt.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2010 20:56:49 | More by Hojaminbag

Overlord

California

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

Wow.

Pours a clean amberish brown that glistens with a wicked orange tint when held to light. Tight frothy white head belies the brew's color.

Smell is heavy on the funk, acidic fruit, and oak. The taste is just heavenly. So smooth, so dangerously drinkable. Crazy oak, just the right amount of funk, a definite acidic sourness that's offset by the light sweet notes of barely-ripe-currants and vinegary citrus. There's a real vinous/wine undercurrent that provides an interesting base. Touching off the wine base is a cherry/raspberry (is that what currants taste like?) bite.

Just fantastic. Great champagne-esque bubbly mouthfeel. Russian River has hit the perfect blend of sour and sweet fruit.

**As I continue to drink this, the theme of this beer is "balance." Just perfectly in harmony.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2009 08:35:19 | More by Overlord

laituegonflable

Australia

4.88/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours a murky, Hellish red colour, brown mostly but with an ominous red tinge. Modest beige head sinks to a rim at the top. Lace is fairly nice, sticky sheets but not very clingy. Bit of cloud in the body. Nice colour, otherwise fairly impressive.

Lots of character on the nose - mostly sweet, with lots of fruit, berries and currants on there. A very sweet, almost creamy character comes up behind, a bit of caramel sweetness, some light toffee and some light milk chocolate notes. Also on there is funk, a hint of leather, pongy brie, barnyard animal notes. Lots of oak as well, and even some vanilla. Funk is slight - just a nice whisper lingering at the back of the nose, which is not just very nice - it's divine in fact. Superbly complex but balanced, just gives a lot without demanding. Incredible.

Taste is sour all over that. Starts off quite acidic, with a sharp citric twang to it, and the flavour of that continues to the mid without ever going overboard and being puckering, or painful. It's almost like the mid is 'cut off' by the flavour of the currants, which comes through fairly late but just in time it seems to clip off the puckering sourness. Really impressive effect with tart, underripe berries on the front, really seems painful, then a sweet-but-tart currant character and plenty of rich, fruity flavours on the back - prunes and currants and a big brandy alcohol warmth. Hints of oregano and other mixed herbs as well complete a really excellent, interesting palate profile. It gives you all the power of the funk but without the intensity or harshness. A challenging brew, but very, very enjoyable.

Slick and dry on the feel, really. Lots of body but never thick or syrupy, goes down well and although the puckering flavour is so expertly cut off, the sensation is still there, and the mouth feels a little sucked dry at the end. Good for the style though.

An excellent, extremely thirst-quenching, interesting, pleasant, beer. I could go on. An excellent choice to be my #500 review.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2010 05:04:44 | More by laituegonflable

rfgetz

Pennsylvania

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

Batch 002 x 3 from the Northeast Craft Beer Outlet at a rediculously good price...

A- Dark brown with red highlights. Big, whispy carbonated head that dicipates quickly. Little to no lacing.

S- Red wine, oak, tobacco. Slight red wine vinegar acidity note. Slight dark fruit note as well. Amazing.

T- Amazingly complex belnd of sour yet subtle fruit, red wine and oak, hints of vanilla. Nice earthy notes. Slight acidity on the back end. Finishes with a nice red wine taste. Perfect.

M- Medium bodied, perfect carbonation level from the yeast. Excellent smooth, silky wine like finish and aftertaste.

D- Wow, if i was never allowed to drink red wine again and wanted to still experience many of the positives, i would reach for this. The ultimate American Wild Ale experience.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2009 13:33:21 | More by rfgetz

grub

Ontario (Canada)

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

yep, another great beer that Viggo shared. thanks eric!

750ml bottle, corked and caged. batch 001X4. sampled may 16/09.

pours a great crystal clear brown that shows nice garnet and ruby hues when held to the light. a small ring of tan bubbles surrounds the glass, never quite gathering enough strength to cover the surface. a few spots of lace.

aroma is good. malt vinegar. bit of lemon. puckering sourness, that's before even taking a sip. old leather. bit of horse blanket. white bread. cracker. bit of grain. dark fruit - plum, date, currant. bit of lighter fruit too. orange peel. bit of alcohol.

taste is good. puckering sourness, but more lemon+fruit than vinegar. sour cherry. currant. bit of malt vinegar. cracker and white bead. bit of grain. low bitterness level. medium sourness. fairly low acidity. orange peel. grapefruit.

mouthfeel is good. fairly light body. nice dry finish. just over medium carbonation level.

drinkability is pretty good. the alcohol is very well hidden. vinegar and acidity is pretty well balanced. nice fruity depth. not my favourite RR sour, but damn tasty.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2009 15:45:46 | More by grub

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

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

Poured from a bottle into a tulip, the beer pours a deep, dark amber color that appears to be clear, and starts with an inch of bubbly head that quickly vanishes down to nothing. The beer smell is an uncanny comparison to a light merlot. The currants are definitely apparent when you raise the glass to your nose. The beer has good carbonation throughout drinking, which helps to keep the heavy flavors light in mouth. The beer is sour on the tip of the tongue, and continues down the tongue, almost puckering at points. Dark fruit flavors abound throughout the mouth, with a slight peppery spice every once in a while. Very tasty, and again, the lightness and crispness provided by the steady carbonation make this a nice, smooth drink. The beer leaves a sour grape-type flavor in the mouth after each sip, but light. The sour aftertaste and the lingering finish pucker the mouth a bit, and it begs for another sip. Delicious!

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2011 01:56:31 | More by GarthDanielson

msubulldog25

Oregon

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

The latest from Russian River showed up in Portland this week; as far as I know, Saraveza was the first to tap their 1/6 barrel. Got an 8 oz. pour (into a regal PBR goblet!) this evening after work..."only" $5!

A: Arrives at the table a still-looking ruddy brown, a barely sudsy ring of white clinging around the edges. I suspect there's etching in the glass causing this effect, but a surprisingly cool/mesmerizing swirl in the gauzy head forms a 'cloverleaf' shape to appear. Lace is creamy, but too slippery to stick for more than a couple seconds, leaving a scattershot array of speckles.

S: Has a familiar 'funky' tartness, but doesn't strike mme as terribly strong. Vinous fruit (vaguely 'grape' or crab apple), light oak, citrus rind and fleeting candy sweetness. A light vinegar, sweet and malty, makes me ponder what Consecration would be like over fish & chips.

T: Woody tang covers a notably tart fruit, the tannic currant represents well. Has an earthen berry flavor throughout, a musty fruit punch. A little cider like, akin to apple mash, with a twist of zesty citrus: lime? As it warms, becomes a bit sweeter: doughy malt and a pinch of brown sugar.

M: Luscious medium-full thickness. Not as acidic as it could be, but has a modest enamel-scraping potency. Curls the tongue and seems to linger in odd places, between the cheek and gums in particular. Low alcohol warmth, pretty smooth for the style.

D: Not gonna say this is the greatest thing I've ever had, but it's tasty. Damn tasty. Surprisingly easy to drink, with a nice level of tart/sweet 'refreshment'. Complex enough to sit and savor, enjoyable enough to have another, even two (if it weren't 10%). Glad to have tried this on draught, will age a bottle or two to see what develops.

Serving type: on-tap

02-20-2009 05:08:29 | More by msubulldog25

nickd717

California

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

Had this on tap at Russian River, Toronado, and City Beer, and also bottles from Russian River, City Beer, Ledger's, and K&L Redwood City. Batches 1 and 2. So I've gotten to know this beer fairly well. It's one of my favorite sours out there.

A - Dark burgundy color with a substantial off-white head.

S - Fruity with red berries and a sour, funky bite.

T - Tartness well-balanced with some sweet malt, currants, sour cherries, vinous notes, oak, and barnyard funk. Not too sour. Incredibly complex.

M - Smooth palate, fairly full, with tartness lingering on the palate. Really nice, sharp and a little dry on the finish with noticeable acidity.

D - Really drinkable for the style and ABV. You would never guess it's a 10-percenter.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2009 18:10:38 | More by nickd717

Reagan1984

Massachusetts

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

Big POP of the cork starts the fun with this RR classic. A thin & active light tan head forms then immediately vanishes. The beer is a ruby/amber color. Some rapidly rising carbonation can be seen along the edges of my tulip glass.

Aroma is tart, slight cherry. Oak makes an appearance as it continues open up.

Initial burst of tartness is followed by lots of cherry notes. A hint of vanilla and wood in the background. Only the slightest sense of warming from the ABV. There is an interesting lingering bitterness that remains and mixes with the wood notes. Very nice. Nutty notes now and again.
I obviously know this is brewed with currants, but I have no idea what currants taste like. I am thinking they are similar to cherry. I get this sense of pencil eraser in the flavor. I remember being a kid and sticking the end of the pencil in my mouth. Something here brought back that memory.. More wood is evident as it comes to room temp.

Carbonation is somewhat champagne like. Body is medium.light and the carbonation really brings the flavor to life.

This is a very nice beer and fairly complex.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2009 01:37:33 | More by Reagan1984

mdaschaf

Washington

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

Review from notes 1/22/11. Thanks to THECPJ for sharing.

A: Dark red in color with a 1/2 finger head that forms during the pour, but dissipates very quickly. No lacing at all.

S: Tart cherries, cinnamon, a little oak and vanilla. Has a slight funky aroma as well.

T: Quite sour at first, a good bit of sour/tart cherry flavor. A nice oaky flavor in the background.

M/D: Medium bodied with low carbonation. Has a dry finish. Overall extremely drinkable, does not feel like 10% at all. Look forward to drinking this one again. Had it at the end of a night, so might amend this review later.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2011 03:43:24 | More by mdaschaf

flexabull

California

4.72/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Hopefully a fitting beer for my birthday, (3-3-09... a square root day!) I am thinking this will be a good one to finish off the day.

Pours a dark and bright amber/brown color with a nice solid off white head.

Aromas are of very bright fruits, almost a cranberry like character, sour, tart, and with a faint hint of vinegar. A little lighter than other Russian River sours I have tried, but still quite pleasant.

Taste and character come off on first sip as SUPER dry. Beer then settles into some bright fruit flavors, cherries, currants, and cranberries. Finish is very tart, crisp, and with a light wine like bite, and some nice cider vinegar sourness. The sourness is very nice, I really like how the fruit flavors dominate more than the sourness, which is more like an interesting backdrop. Dang... another top notch tasting sour from Russian River.

Wonderful mouthfeel, maybe a touch to dry. But still has a great full feel.

Drinkability is exceptional. If I didn't notice the bottle, I would have never guessed this beer pushes 10% ABV. It drinks more like a 6% or 7% beer. This is more of a refined sour, not like the big blast of sour you get from something like the Supplication and Beautification. It's like this one is better "put together". Wow... yet another super offering from Vinnie and crew. It's currently my #2 sour from them, Sanctification still wins by a nose though.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2009 04:50:09 | More by flexabull

Crosling

Colorado

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

Draught, Catalyst Coffee. Light brown color. Full, layered foam. Nose is perhaps the weakest point of the beer, but still hints of funk, wood, dark fruit. Flavor is amazing. Complex, integrated, beautifully balanced. Notes of cranberry, currant, blackberry and wood. A beauty and one to put away.

Serving type: on-tap

03-16-2009 20:17:43 | More by Crosling

tigg924

Massachusetts

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

Poured into a Chimay Chalice

Appearance: minimal head, cloudy, chestnut brown in color, some sediment, low carbonation

Smell: cherry, sour mix, and vinegar

Taste: cherry, red wine grapes, sour mix, and vinegar

Mouthfeel: sour, light bodied, medium carbonation but very prickly..

Overall: A very good American Wild Ale worthy of a special occasion. I love the wine-like qualities in this one--although I do prefer Supplication. This one is a complex sipper that I would pick up in a heartbeat if I could find it.

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2012 15:01:06 | More by tigg924

prototypic

Ohio

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

Batch #001x2

Many thanks to guinnessdoc for his efforts in getting this bottle. You went out of your way for me, Josh, and I won't forget it.

Consecration pours a dark cherry color. It's very clear and looks a little scarlet with backlighting. An active, tan head covers the top. It simmers down quickly and leaves very little lace behind.

The nose is interesting. Initially, it smells quite vinous and features strong grape and cherry notes. Light dark fruit notes of raisin and prune are noted. There's even a bit of a berry scent noted. Oak is very prominent. Suffice it to say that its aging in Cabernet Sauvignon barrels made quite the impact. It smells earthy and musky, but the presence of Brett isn't overly apparent. There's a mild funky smell, but it's subtle. Alcohol is masked very well. I'm not getting much for a 10% beer. Bottom line - Consecration is very deep, complex, and delicious smelling.

The flavor keeps the pace. It kicks off with an explosive mix of berries, dark fruits, and sour cherry. It's a phenomenal combo. There's a sour, vinegar-esque flavor, but it's only moderate in terms of intensity. I wouldn't characterize it as ultra-sour. Oak adds a lot of character to the flavor. Earthy and musky notes linger throughout. Brett adds a touch of funkiness to the mix, but it plays a bit part in this grand act. Saying the flavor profile is deep and complex is really an understatement. But, it's impressive in that all of those flavors shine. It's not convoluted at all. Everything comes through. Alcohol is a little noticeable, but isn't strong by any stretch. This is very impressive stuff.

The body feels light/medium. Carbonation is active, but the bubbles feel light. It's very creamy and smooth. Drinkability is as high as it gets, especially for a Wild Ale of its stature. This stuff goes down like a dream. It's difficult to sip because it's so damn tasty.

I approached Consecration with quite a bit of skepticism. I recall hearing how much it blurred the line between wine and beer. Personally, I don't think that's the case. It's very much a beer, and that's not a close question. It has some vinous qualities, but they complement its Wild Ale qualities rather than compete with them. Russian River really has a special creation with Consecration. I don't know how the other batches stack up, but this one's a dandy. Do yourself a favor and seek it out.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2010 04:13:11 | More by prototypic

morimech

Minnesota

4.68/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Batch 004x1

Light brown color with a thin head that quickly disappears. Very little lacing is left on the glass. The appearance was not really a disappointment considering the style. Wonderful aroma of wild funkiness, leather, grapes, currants, and wine. The finest tasting sour/wild ale I have drunk. Plenty of lip puckering sourness but it does not interfere with the subtle fruit and malt notes. The currants are tasted but they definately play a supporting role. This beer seems to be perfectly blended and balanced. Light body with crisp carbonation that seems well suited to the flavor. With the ABV way up there, it limits drinkability but the 375ml bottle seemed like the perfect serving size.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2010 22:12:07 | More by morimech

illidurit

California

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

Review #600!

Poured into a tulip glass. Root beer color with a deep amber tinge. Dark but mostly clear. Nice beige head fizzles out due to the acidity. Aroma is sour raisins and currants with a striking cabernet character that blends into the overall profile better than any other wine barrel-aged beer I've had. A brown sugar note emerges once my nose acclimates to the acidity of the aroma. Maybe even a little bourbon and light alcohol too. Very complex smell. Flavors of jammy wine, berries, raisins, oak, vinegar, brown sugar, and a bunch more I can't even articulate. Definitely improves as it warms up. Ridiculous complexity all around. Mouthfeel is rich and well carbonated with delicate bubbles. A joy to drink. RR just can't miss.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2009 04:56:25 | More by illidurit

ADZA

Australia

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

Another exciting brew i get to sample im stoked and it pours a light reddish/brown sherry hue which starts off with the carbonation look of a beer with a frothy two finger head but it quickly recedes to look like a fine wine with no head left or lacing whatsoever,the aroma is a combination of dried red berries,figs,oak and of course currants,the mouthfeel is medium bodied and lightly carbonated and to be honest the mouthfeel is a cross between wine and beer and flavours of red currants,cab sav,tobacco,oak and red grape sourness all come through combined rather nicely and the dry sourness right at the finish really makes it very drinkable for me as i do like my lambics and its 10%ABV is nowhere to be found it is so well hidden its not funny and overall if this is what AWA's taste like i think i might have found a new favourite style,highly recommend cheers.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2010 05:04:25 | More by ADZA

cpetrone84

Pennsylvania

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

Had on tap at Monk's Cafe

A-pours a flat looking reddish copper color that is quite clear and has virtually no head.

S-the nose is very big, lots of vinous red wine characteristics with a faint earthy tone to it. very little oak with the sweet currant in the back. just a hint of acidity in the back but light.

T-nicely balance, sweet red wine, dark red grapes, nice sourness to it, hints of oak underneath. tart cherries and currants add sweetness to it with a light spice in the back.

M-this has a smooth and medium body with huge carbonation and a crisp dry finish. very nice feel to it!

D-awesome beer, great vinous characteristics with a light barrel aging and great balance of sweetness to sour. the spice adds some kick and this is a beautiful very wine like brew.

Serving type: on-tap

07-28-2010 14:47:53 | More by cpetrone84

Pencible

Virginia

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

Batch 004x4
A: This poured a hazy dark copper with almost no head.
S: It smelled like musky oak and sweet currants and prunes, with some sour white grapes and wild yeast.
T: It tasted like puckering sour and tart currant and black cherry, with some wild yeast and sweet raisin and musky oak. It had a lasting clean and sour/tart aftertaste.
M: It was oily and slick with lots of natural carbonation. Very nice body.
D: This was a highly complex beer that was delicate but powerful. The scent and taste and body were all awesome. It wasn't overly puckering either, and the alcohol was undetectable (scary!), so this was very inviting to continue drinking. Could be aged for a long time, but very nice fresh. An excellent sipping wild ale, which I might enjoy over other Russian Rivers due to it's depth and balance.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2011 15:58:08 | More by Pencible

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

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

Batch #006. Poured in to CBS Snifter.

A - Medium to dark brown with almost no light passing through aside from a slight glow around the edges. A small amount of cream coloured head formed and quickly receded to almost nothing.

S - A subtle hit of grapes intermingled with the expected funky/sour yeast notes. The sourness, although definitely a big part of the nose, doesn't dominate like it does in most American Wild Ales. A complex complimentary array or armoma, includes sour cherry, vinegar and oak.

T - Tart and tangy brett flavours dominate the palate up front but. The full spectrum of flavours shows up in the middle, with currants, sour cherry and oak all combining to create a complex flavour profile. The funky/sour flavours return in the finish and linger a little bit in the after taste.

M - Light body with light to moderate carbonation.

O - This is a style that I am still developing a taste for and this is the first one that I have truly enjoyed. I am very happy tha I took a chance on this one.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2011 23:57:03 | More by TheSevenDuffs

claspada

New Jersey

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

Bottle courtesy of HimerMan. From the second bottling ever, LA website says 12/26/08. Let's see how it has matured.

Pours a dark red/amber color with an shade darker that totally white head. Pretty good soapy lacing.

Aromas begin with a good/deep sourness that is not at all overpowering; more of an inviting scent. Behind that, sweet and tart fruits. Not sure what a currant smells like but I am not getting much of an actual fruitiness beyond the sour aromas, but that is to be expected from a 3+ year old sour ale.

Flavors begin with an excellent level of sourness. A lot of complexity in the flavor. Lots of tartness paired with some citrus and sweet fruits. Some darker maltiness as it starts to warm, but the long drawn out sour flavor comes back and dries out the palate and really pushes the flavor to the next level. While I love the flavor it is still fairly one dimensional at this stage of it's lifespan.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied with the perfect amount of sourness. Good carbonation but not overwhelming which can happen with certain sours overtime. Drink WAY WAY lighter than 10%, drinks like 6% max; this stuff is straight dangerous.

Overall this was a nice treat for me. I really loved the flavor profile despite it being fairly one noted. I would have liked to sample it fresher to see if I could have tasted more currants or some actual fruits beyond the sourness. Drinkability is off the charts expecially for how high the ABV is on this beast. A really solid sour and worth seeking out for fans of the style. Nothing mind-blowing, just super solid.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2012 15:26:13 | More by claspada

thekevlarkid

Maryland

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

Out of a bottle, provided by a BA member, this beer was a murky, copper color. The head was similar to the color of toasted wood, the retention was ok as a thin collar and the lacing in spots. The aroma was big and sweet with dark fruits, grapes and raisins, currants, sweet dough, alcohol and candied fruit. Like an alcohol infused fruitcake! The flavors were very similar to the aroma but aggressively tart. Highly acidic which was further pronounced by the alcohol punch and I tasted the additions of kirsch as well as some funky, musty wood. The currants truly came through on the finish giving the brew a unique character. The mouthfeel was good, the body medium and the carbonation light/medium. For 10% it was very drinkable and an excellent example of the variety and complexity available within the American Wild Ale style.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2010 05:10:21 | More by thekevlarkid