Row 2/Hill 56 - Russian River Brewing Company

Reagan1984

Massachusetts

4.6/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Many thanks to Ultraman9000 for providing this treat (growler) in a recent trade. Sitting with my second glass from the growler as I write this review. Very excited as this is a great beer in the spirit of Daisy Cutter. (which is a huge compliment as far as I’m concerned.
A finger of foamy bright white head settles fairly quickly and begins to deposit lace everywhere. 1/2 the glass is covered in a single/complete sheet of lace. The beer is a bright brass color with perfect clarity.

Aroma is just fantastic. Huge floral, perfume notes that contain a lot of grapefruit peel and other citrus notes including a sense of tropical fruit. There are some slight green resinous things happening, but very subtle.

Bright, fresh, clean and balanced. Just wonderful. The malt backbone is cracker like, slightly bready and nice. Just some light toasted notes. Over this is a lot of juicy hop flavor and some green hop notes and also a lot of grapefruit peel. Again, the tropical fruit is here, but not quite in your face.

The body is one of the main differences here vs. am IPA. Definitely lighter and almost refreshing.

Hugging the line between a hoppy APA and an IPA is a beautiful place. The lighter abv and body are a welcome treat. I realize at 5.8% this isn’t a traditional session beer, but man it’s close. I am hoping that other brewers realize this is a great space and continue to produce beers like this. Kudos Russian River. Well done.

Serving type: growler

04-30-2012 02:10:08 | More by Reagan1984

Stevie_Janowski

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +10.2%

05-23-2013 23:45:00 | More by Stevie_Janowski

Nightrain87

California

4/5  rDev -7.2%

05-23-2013 06:03:08 | More by Nightrain87

Callmecoon

California

4/5  rDev -7.2%

05-23-2013 02:30:22 | More by Callmecoon

PlinyBeMiney

California

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

05-21-2013 07:09:24 | More by PlinyBeMiney

IP-EH

California

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%

05-19-2013 22:03:24 | More by IP-EH

Kreko7

California

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

05-19-2013 15:50:19 | More by Kreko7

ShawnMH

Indiana

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

05-19-2013 15:46:05 | More by ShawnMH

coryking

Missouri

4/5  rDev -7.2%

05-17-2013 21:36:34 | More by coryking

deekyn

California

3.25/5  rDev -24.6%

05-16-2013 04:17:28 | More by deekyn

LaChupacabra

California

3.25/5  rDev -24.6%

05-15-2013 03:53:56 | More by LaChupacabra

Zbeetleman

California

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

05-15-2013 03:33:45 | More by Zbeetleman

Quackus

New York

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%

05-14-2013 17:52:23 | More by Quackus

flipdog0

North Carolina

4/5  rDev -7.2%

05-13-2013 18:49:18 | More by flipdog0

rboinski

California

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%

05-13-2013 17:29:54 | More by rboinski

IPAyForHops

California

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

05-13-2013 00:28:19 | More by IPAyForHops

laxer8811

New York

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

05-12-2013 15:43:01 | More by laxer8811

weaksauce

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

05-11-2013 18:42:57 | More by weaksauce

cfrances33

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

05-11-2013 15:08:53 | More by cfrances33

IHyphySF

California

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

05-11-2013 01:10:30 | More by IHyphySF

moonknight31

California

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%

05-10-2013 02:48:42 | More by moonknight31

jkane101

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

05-10-2013 00:45:33 | More by jkane101

hopazoid

Minnesota

5/5  rDev +16%

05-09-2013 05:42:04 | More by hopazoid

flexabull

California

4.29/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the SF Toronado.

Pours a light and slightly hazy gold color with a pretty nice off white head.

Aromas are very nice. Light cracker and caramel sweetness and a mixture of fresh hop aromas, citrus, pine, and resin.

Taste is much hoppier than I expected, this is more like a lighter IPA instead of a Pale Ale to me, but that's not a bad thing. Light cracker and caramel sweetness up front, slightly dry. Finish is crisp, with some grapefruit bitterness, and a nice earthy and resiny hop bite. Very flavorful.

Mouthfeel is nice, good body and crisp carbonation.

Overall, an excellent hoppy pale. My glass was empty very quickly. If drinkability was still a score here, this would get a 5. Very refreshing.

Serving type: on-tap

05-08-2013 15:30:04 | More by flexabull

Beer21

Florida

5/5  rDev +16%

05-08-2013 06:40:34 | More by Beer21