It Takes A Lot Of Great Beer To Make Great Wine - Russian River Brewing Company

Gilmango

California

4.6/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Thanks to the colonelforbin for bringing this back from Zwanze Day at RRBC then schlepping it to CBS and PacBrewLab tasting.

A - golden color with a white head and a bit of lacing, just slightly cloudy - if the "pale lager" is correct then this looks like kellerbier; however this was filtered, no yeast at the bottom of the bottle.

S - bready malt with central European earthy and spicy hops

T - hop forward, real clean hints of malt and lovely dry finish with hints of lemon and good bitter hop grip.

M - Well attenuated without seeming too thin.

O - Really great breakfast beer, session beer, American lager(?), etc. Before I came here to review it I was guessing they used a Kolsch yeast as I just haven't had many lagers from RRBC, but if this is a pale lager (bottle does say "Ale" fwiw oh and their blog reads, "winemaker's session ale") so I am starting to think that maybe they did use Kolsch yeast or perhaps used lager yeast at ale temps ala CA common (but I'm no big fan of that style and this blows away any CA common I've ever had). No matter the beer is great and reminds me of a great, somewhat hoppy but restrained, west coast version of a kellerbier, or a kolsch.

Very food friendly. Best similarity I can recall is the old Deschutes seasonal Pine Mountain Pils, now retired, what a great beer that was.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2011 16:27:50 | More by Gilmango

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.43/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

straw yellow color. golden amber with a crystal clear look to it. A small head of maybe an inch rose up, but immediatly fell back down, leaving a naked top to it.

The aroma was light. Lots of light grain and bready malts abound here. Small light fruit notes and an overall light profile. Taste was more of the same, light grain, light fruits, small doses of grain. A crisp, clean, and refreshing profile. Very light feel with an almost non existently light feel. Super drinkable

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2011 14:41:35 | More by mikesgroove

Jemonster

California

4.43/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

A: Those chunks in the bottom of my glass don't look too appealing. They were in suspension when I poured it. I know it's just clumps of yeast and nutrients. Soft orange glow, thin white head, not a lot of visible carbonation.

S: Smells like what I think about on a hot summer day! Light hop aroma dominates, and light bread. Lemon citrusy.

T: Like a fine pale ale. Very well crafted. Nice lemon/grapefruit from the hops, cool tasting and refreshing. Great bittering. Tastes like a great beer to have with something salty or oily. Finishes fast like a summer beer should. If it weren't winter and 35-40 degrees here in San Jose California, it would probably be even better. Can't quite give it a 5 because I feel like there is something unidentifiable that is keeping it from being perfect.

M: Crisp and clean. More carbonated than it looks. Perfect for warmer weather.

O: I'm stocking up when July rolls around if this is still available.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 02:55:24 | More by Jemonster

Klym

California

4.4/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a surly pint glass.

A: BMC would be jealous. Very pale gold with slow mo bubbles coming up in quick succession from the bottom. A small, microbubble white head with layers of lacing.

S: Very clean smell with slight hop inflections.

T: The taste is very clean, tons of wheat comes through in the middle and the end hits with a mild but clear punch of hops.

M: A perfectly medium body with tingles of carbonation throughout, classic lager body but twice as clean.

O: Russian River proves itself once again to be a master of clean, clear, and fine tuned. Not sure it compensates for a lack of recent adventure into bold and unique, but it's pleasant nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2011 01:09:07 | More by Klym

PaulStoneAnchor

California

4.33/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a golden color with a quick disappearing head. It also has very minimal lacing.

S: Fresh sourdough, yeast, and some sweet malt

T: Very yeasty with a light breadiness and some herbal hoppiness.

M: Coats the tongue very nicely and has a nice medium level carbonation

O: This beer is exactly what a nice pale lager should be. It has a lot of yeast character, breadiness, and some nice herbal hop and sweet malt character. I really enjoyed this beer and could definitely buy a case and kick back several. Great Beer!

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2011 04:11:22 | More by PaulStoneAnchor

bbb099

California

4.33/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to mjyoung for sharing this one!

A - Clear and bubbly golden yellow with foamy white-colored head.

S - Smells malty with floral notes. Hints of citrus as well. Very pleasant.

T - Light tasting, which is kinda expected. Wheat and corn flavors.

M - Medium to light bodied. Good amount of carbonation.

O - Probably one of the better pale lagers I have had. Taste wise is relatively average, but you can tell this is a well done lager.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2011 05:39:53 | More by bbb099

scottfrie

California

4.2/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

505ml bottle in nonic pint glass.

A: Pours a very light yellow with a huge, fluffy, bright white head that took its time to slowly fade into a thin greasy film that left strands of bubbly lacing down the glass.
S: Crackery notes of pale grains and spicy herbal hops. I also get notes of citrus including lemon juice.
T: Follows the nose with dominate flavors of pale malt, spicy hops, and light lemon citrus. The finish is very crackery, and the aftertaste is just barely bitter.
M: Clean and crisp mouthfeel, light body that isn’t watery, and smooth even carbonation.
O: Just as refreshing as it was on tap. I’ve had no problems working my way through a half dozen bottles of this beer, and would buy this constantly throughout the year if it were available. Great drinking beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2011 23:31:06 | More by scottfrie

AgentMunky

Alabama

4.18/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a growler (filled 30 September at the brewery) into a tulip glass.

A: Several fingers of head fade quickly atop a hazy-opaque straw yellow beer.

S: This smells great! Crisp and very hoppy. Fresh pine and a strong dose of lemon peel.

T: Light and pleasant. I'm not sure I see the saison yeast...It's thin-bodied (crisp would be more flattering) with a very clean yeast. Almost pilsnery. The finish is dry as well. That said, the main appeal lies in the excellent (and potent) hops used. Something European perhaps? Quite bitter and quite delicious. I am enjoying this pale ale, even if its best qualities are tragically ephemeral.

M: Light, crisp, and clean. Nicely carbonated to highlight the spiciness of the hops.

O: Great pale ale! Highly recommended. I'm glad I decided to buy this over Happy Hops, even if HH is still my preferred Russian River pale ale. Would try again.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2012 03:33:29 | More by AgentMunky

hooliganlife

Missouri

4.13/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

big thanks to Jason Rorie for this

pours a lazy hazy straw yellow with a nice bright mix of fizzy and frothy head.

lots of sharp zesty fresh biscuit with a floral brightness. bits of fresh flower.

very malt forward with lots of bread and biscuit. sharp and bright floral hops mixed in through out. almost a bit of tartness, like faint lemon.

nice moderate body with a moderate carbonation. a hint of chew. not overly thin like many ales below 5%.

highly drinkable and enjoyable. loved this.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2011 01:16:13 | More by hooliganlife

drabmuh

Maryland

4.08/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle shared by Thorpe, this is a lager so I know it's going to suck beerballs but I figured I'd give it a whirl since it is Russian River and I fucking love lagers unlike the rest of you beer-idiots. While this is not the best beer I've ever had, it is probably a top 10 lager I've had and it was great.

Beer poured into a snifter, beer is yellow and clear with a thin white head, some lacing, moderate to low carbonation.

Aroma is piny / sweet / pilsner.

Beer is light in body, pretty bitter, sweet up front, nice finish, it is like a hopped up pilsner if you can imagine. I'd have this again, I'd have this everytime I mow the lawn.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2011 02:43:33 | More by drabmuh

AgentZero

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I'm sure there's something clever about this long name, but I'm too lazy to find out what it is. Bottle from penniwisdom in a trade.

A - Clear, pale yellow beer with a bit of a white head. Some decent lace left on the glass.

S - Some pale malts, light grains. Bit of lager yeast. Nice.

T - Exceptionally clean tasting with light grains, pale malts, bit of yeast, hint of floral hops and hay. Easy to get down in mass quantities.

M - Lighter bodied, clean and crisp. Nice carbonation.

O - Can't complain about this one. Great refreshing lager that would be awesome on a hot day and you can just drink continually. Great for what it is.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2011 03:23:35 | More by AgentZero

bigaltemple

Colorado

4.05/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to leschkie for the generous bonus question in his LIF

A - Hazy, pale, straw-colored. Very thin head settles to almost nothing. Slight film leaves behind light lacing after every sip.

S - Light malts. Maybe a small whiff of orange. Nothing much more to speak of.

T - Like the nose, pale malts dominate. A mildly spicy hops bite sneacks up behind. Has a very crisp finish.

M - Light to medium bodied with almost perfect amount of carbonation.

O - Highly drinkable! Great brew for a late summer lazy afternoon. Wish I had another one to grab.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2011 16:12:42 | More by bigaltemple

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle courtesy of daysinthewake, thanks! Served in a Russian River TION goblet.

Pours a clear straw color with a single-finger white head that went down to a collar fairly-quickly, leaving a bit of lacing behind. The nose carried some light grain and faint floral hops. Really delicate, and getting a bit more pronounced as it warmed. The flavor was nice, striking a nuanced blend between mostly-floral hops and a bit of light pilsner malt. Light body with good carbonation and a slightly bitter, semi-dry finish. Very tasty and quite drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2011 10:24:44 | More by Thorpe429

Reagan1984

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to Bdige for sending this along in a recent trade. Always love Russian River. Need to get there someday.

Bright/tight white head forms slowly collapses and is quite creamy in the process. The beer is a bright gold/straw color with just a hint of carbonation rising to the surface.

Aroma is grassy with a touch of sulphur and with bread dough just below the surface.

Flavor is quite bready and nice. The sulphur is just there, but not a problem. Dough sweet bread notes like the center of a fresh baked roll. Almost a sense of white pepper and some white grape. As it warns slightly the depth of the malt bill really comes out.

Crisp and refreshing. A touch more sturdy than “delicate” but still an overall light body.

Good little beer. Well built and spot on for the style. For what it’s made to be, they nailed it.

Thanks Brandon.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2011 23:07:13 | More by Reagan1984

armock

New York

4/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to scottfrie for hooking this bottle up

A - Poured a clear golden color with a white head that leaves lacing behind

S - Is of bready malt with some light spicy hops

T - Follows the nose with spicy hops dominating the flavor with bready malt in the background

M - This beer has a light body with higher carbonation to it

O - For what this beer is its pretty damn good I could drink a few of these on a summer day if it was more widely available without thinking about it worth picking up to try if you get the chance

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2011 19:35:18 | More by armock

GJ40

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Yellow with a slight haze. I didn't realize that this was a lager when I tried it but that makes sense. I found it crisper and drier than the Aud Blonde. And the hops are more restrained. But it was still enjoyable. This would be a solid entry point for those new to craft beer. Possibly the most unusual name in craft beer.

Serving type: on-tap

09-12-2011 13:17:04 | More by GJ40

Duff27

Illinois

4/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- Half-inch white head on a dull orange beer. Decent head retention, no lacing.

S- Not much smell, pale malts.

T- Your normal lager, but less offensive! A slight grape flavor on the tail end. Woo!

M- Good mouthfeel, medium carbonation.

D/O- Wooo! The drinkability is out of this world! Sooo random how this review came about! Thanks to the girl with the friend who came from CA with this. And thanks to the fact she enjoyed my double IPA homebrew haha.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2011 17:27:38 | More by Duff27

ngeunit1

California

4/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Served a clear golden-orange with a thin finger of white head. The head fades fairly quickly leaving behind some nice lace.

S - The aroma is mix of corn, grain, light malt, and a touch of yeast. There is just a hint of earthy hop.

T - Starts out with some light citrus with some grain and corn. Through the middle, some malt comes through with some yeast esters and a bit of bread. The finish is a mix bread, grain, light citrus, and a touch of earthy hop.

M - Light bodied with moderate carbonation. Feels smooth and very crisp and refreshing.

D - Very drinkable. Very nice session ale. It is fairly light bodied but does not feel overly empty or watery.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2012 06:51:13 | More by ngeunit1

SHODriver

California

4/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: pours a slightly hazed light golden yellow with a small white head that has decent retention for its size into an imperial nonic
S: smells of grapefruit and pine, no malt in the nose that I can find but a nice light hop aroma
T: grapefruit and pine flavor up front with a nice clean and light malt flavor, slight sweetness but enough hop character to keep it reigned in. swallow brings a light breadyness and a bit more pine and grapefruit
M: standard carbonation for the style that is slightly prickly with a medium to light mouthfeel. very refreshing and not the least bit drying
O: Russian River makes some very outstanding beers and this beer is no exception. great flavors and highly drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2012 02:43:18 | More by SHODriver

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.99/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Bottled 083012

A: Pours a hazy golden apricot in color with moderate amounts of large particles of sediment near the bottom of the glass, light to moderate amounts of visible carbonation, and some golden yellow highlights. The beer has a two finger tall sudsy off-white head that slowly reduces a medium thick patch of medium to large bubbles, a thick film covering the remainder of the surface of the beer, and a thick ring at the edges of the glass. Significant amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Upfront there are some light aromas of bready and pale malts. Moderate amounts of citrus hops with some notes of orange, lemon, and just a hint of grapefruit along with some light grassy hop aromas.

T: Upfront some light amounts of pale and bready malts with a touch of graininess that is followed by a light to moderate flavor of oak. That is followed by light grassy hops and some moderate citrusy hops - notes of lemon zest and orange. Light bitterness which does not linger for too long.

M: Just heavier than light bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Very light notes of dryness.

O: Even after probably not getting drunk as quickly as it should have, it still had really nice hop presence and was quite nice to drink/enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 19:05:54 | More by dbrauneis

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

3.95/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle gifted from drabmuh. Thanks Matt! A new beer from one of my favorite breweries. Very exciting.

The beer is mostly clear, with only a mild haze, and appears a light yellow color. The head is insubstantial, measuring less than a quarter inch, even after agitation. Minimal lacing.

I like the aroma. Bready and malty. Smells like a lager. Nice sourdough bread scents.

Thirst quenching, refreshing, easy to drink. Lots of flavor in a low alcohol, sessionable beer. Malty, with only a subtle sweetness that sneaks in, adding s little something to the bready, lager flavors.

Thin body, but not too. Goes down easy. No trace of alcohol.

Overall, I would like a keg of this at my house next summer.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2011 02:27:41 | More by Huhzubendah

rlee1390

Indiana

3.93/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A-Translucent orange, some carbonation with a two finger head.

S-Grass, oranges, floral notes. Strong malt bill as well. Good balance

T-Nice grass with caramel malt. Floral hops round it out with some mild bitterness in the finish.

M-Medium bodied, but a little on the lighter side. Some carbonation.

O-A decent APA, RR has done a lot better but still glad I was able to try this one.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2012 22:44:07 | More by rlee1390

avaldivia

California

3.9/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On Tap at Brewbup. Poured into a RR Pint glass.

A: Very light golden color. Very hazy. Little head with pretty good lacing.

S: Nice citrus notes. A bit of yeast. Nice light malt nose.

T: Light citrus with a bready note. Not crazy about it at first but once I let it sit for about 10 minutes, I thought it was awesome. Very nice crisp clean flavor.

M: Light and crisp. Good carbonation.

O: Really nice. Drank it in the outside area where it was really warm, and this hit the spot. I picked up a few bottles and will be back later this week after class. Hopefully they will still have some more.

Serving type: on-tap

08-30-2011 01:16:16 | More by avaldivia

hobojon

California

3.9/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle from 8/23/11 served in a RR glass.

App- very clear, golden straw. white foam, clings to the sides of the glass and leaves a small rocky foam cap.

Aroma- clean, citrusy hops (more orange and floral). some mild english yeast esters? kind of sweet aroma. some mild fruitiness. Very clean aroma.

Taste- light cracker malt, plain and lightly sweet. mild hop bitterness with some citrus hop flavor. some lime from either the hops or yeast? some sweet yeasty note... not sure how to describe it but it is like an ester than accentuates the natural malt sweetness.

Mouthfeel- enough body but a lighter beer. smooth creamy carb is fine. dry and drinkable, very refreshing. light lingering resin and hop flavor is nice.

Overall- very good and refreshing, but nothing special. this goes very good with RR pizza.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2011 01:40:05 | More by hobojon

mjyoung

California

3.9/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Drank 10/5/11

A: Pours a nice straw color with a really nice looking head that has pretty good retention.

S: A wee bit of citrus but mostly dominated by pale malt and cracker lager.

T: Very light, and quite tasty. A little bitter on the finish, but still great.

M: A nice, medium body with good carbonation.

O: A great lager. Refreshing, and indicative of RR's overall quality.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2011 02:21:49 | More by mjyoung