Row 2/Hill 56 - Russian River Brewing Company

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

deebo

Minnesota

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

On tap at the brewery. Really enjoyed the sample I had last night so coming back to a full pint

A-served with a thin layer of sticky white foam this beer is clear and a deep copper color.

S-aromas of bright citrus (grapefruit) and tropical (papaya) shine thru in this. A clean malt character is also present

T-the hops are upfront and brilliant but the malt is so well balanced in this beer

M-finishes smooth with plenty of co2 to carry the flavorful sim is hops

O-a flavorful yet easy to drink brew that is really well done.

Serving type: on-tap

02-19-2013 15:10:47 | More by deebo

RaulMondesi

California

4.38/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Yep! Did it again. Straight from tha number one spot: Russian River.

Was on tha tail end of a few Younger's and Raul needed to cool down with a fresh Pale Ale and a 7 dollar 7' long. So after my last meatball rolled away and onto my homies lap (sorry about that, playa) I took my last sip of this bad boy and I knew that I could add it to the Russian River Hall of Fame. Clean, crisp, and made for a pimp.

Yep!

Serving type: on-tap

02-13-2013 08:41:11 | More by RaulMondesi

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

4.65/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A-Pours a toasty, dark orange with light murkiness. Head is thinner. Light lacing. The body is dark but it omits an eye-catching, dull glow.

S-This is why I will alway, always, ALWAYS trust a hoppy Russian River brew. The aroma is just a squishy, juicy cup of hop-juice. I found out this was 100% Simcoe and I as surprised. It is just so damn complex in the hoppy aromas it provides. I find a lot of Simcoe to be a bit too rough for me in certain brews. Row 2/Hill 56 is tropical and ripe and evolving. A very hop-stressed APA. There is some caramel and dough there. Great aroma.

T-Flavor is even better. The malt provides a semi-stable balance until the onslaught of tropical hop flavors arrive with full power. Russian River nails those tropical-hop flavors. Exotic pineapple and apricot with some underripe melon. Grass, grapefruit and oranges too. A tickle of pineapple as well! Excellent.

M-The body matches the ABV but the flavors would pair more with a DIPA. Bitter but nothing to brazen. I may have finished this glass the quickest of them all during my stay at the brewpub.

O/D-One of the best APAs I have had. Right there with Blind Pig and within shouting distance of Pliny the Elder. They all have similar flavor aspects. In conclusion: I could drink this forever and would never lose my shit-eating grin.

Serving type: on-tap

02-05-2013 04:25:27 | More by VelvetExtract

KAVSE

California

4.43/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had this one on tap at a local brewpub.

A: Orange/Yellow color with thin head that quickly dissipates leaving swirling lacing on the top of the beer. You can almost see the hop oils on top of the beer.

S: Smells of Simcoe and sweet malts. There's a perfect balance in the nose. No alcohol esters present and the hops are not overwhelming.

T: Tastes hoppy but balanced again with the malts. Very smooth and intensely drinkable. No "tongue fatigue" from a barrage of lupulin flavors as the malts bring your senses back around for another taste. Seriously addicting for the tongue.

M: Feels crisp and smooth; yet with a medium malty thickness that carries the hops from front to back on the tongue. The beer coats your mouth and doesn't hit one direct spot which is a pleasure. Pretty much a blanket of balanced hops/malts for your tongue. Doesn't feel like it'll melt the enamel off your teeth either.

Overall - this is one fantastic beer. If you love hops; this one's for you. If I could use one word to describe this brew I would say "balanced." Nothing overpowers your nose or mouth and this beer begs you to take another sip. Great job Russian River!

Serving type: on-tap

12-09-2012 18:41:28 | More by KAVSE

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoyed on tap at the brewpub. A big hoppy pale, featuring Simcoe hops. Light orange head and lace sheet. Very good drinkability.Well malted, providing above average mouthfeel.Bang on the style, juicy orange citrus.Best beer of the night, and of the newest RR on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

11-12-2012 00:14:02 | More by northyorksammy

hopsolutely

Ontario (Canada)

4.1/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From notes taken at brewery pub last night:
Pint is a clear and light amber with golden highlights, decent head that leaves lacing as the glass empties. Pure Simcoe aroma is stunning and resinous. Flavour is full of tropical fruit hop tones, with an abject bitterness that actually dries the back of the throat in the finish.

Not as well balanced as the other Russian River beers sampled last night, but I enjoyed it enough to buy a second pint and am disappointed that bottles weren't available.

Serving type: on-tap

11-08-2012 15:47:56 | More by hopsolutely

cpetrone84

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap. pour is a clear golden orange with a creamy white head. Nose is tight with light malt caramel and some nice grainy malt. Good hop profile, notes of citrus and strong herbal presence. Taste is balanced, dry finish, tight balance, grain and faint sweet caramel with citrus and herbal hops.

Serving type: on-tap

10-09-2012 17:02:01 | More by cpetrone84

Holland

Pennsylvania

4.23/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks again to CheapBeerBuzz for this tasty treat.

A: pale golden color with a decent sized white head that dissipates quickly to give way to a wavy, partially-covering white foam on top.

S: hoppy but not overpowering. Bready smell along with some fruity hops.

T: apricot is huge along with pineapple and some bitterness and malt.

M: medium body, medium-heavy carbonation

O: great beer overall. Well put together, and a really interesting hop flavor. Once it warms a bit mroe it has more smell.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2012 23:56:41 | More by Holland

srandycarter

California

3.75/5  rDev -13%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Somewhat murky copper, small white head, little cling.

S - First smell out of bottle was cat piss. It mellowed to light cat piss and malt.

T - Malt is up front, bittering takes a second seat but does a good job.

M - Medium body, good carb, good balance.

D - A little too pissy for my taste, but not a bad beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2012 05:00:55 | More by srandycarter

notchucknorris

California

4.53/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle at O'Brien's

A: Pours a glowing orange color with a thin white head and some spots of lace.

S: A pretty nice bouquet of citrus hops, tropical fruit and a touch of bready malt. The smell of the hops is outstanding.

T: A great blend of citrus hops, grapefruit, orange, lemon and a touch of pine. A nice malt backbone with some notes of caramel and cracker hold the beer up nicely. Really good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2012 20:23:01 | More by notchucknorris

uustal

Rhode Island

4.38/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a light to mid orange with with a monstrous white head. Great lacing throughout. Really hop sticky aroma. Citrus, grapefruit and orange, dank pine and some earthy qualities. Nice light, but hop showcasing flavor profile. Very nice citrus notes to start. Orange, grapefruit and a hint of tropical notes. A sticky, fresh and earthy pine hop follows that adds a bit of bittering on the tongue. Finishes very light and dry, much like the flavor profile. This is a awesomely, single hopped Pale Ale.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2012 23:10:04 | More by uustal

Kmccabe33

Georgia

4.83/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- Appearance is good as always for Russian River stuff, orangeish hazy color, slightly gold, but great looking beer.

S- Great floral and citrus smells, very similar in smell to that of Pliny, and absolutely love it.

T- Absolutely great, very well balanced between the hop notes, but also has a great malt backbone, nothing major, but all around a great beer.

M- Great mouthfeel, well done, Russian river never lets me down.

O- One of my favorites APA's, and is more true to the style. Up there with Zombie Dust and such, although I feel its a stretch to call ZD an APA. But thats another discussion

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2012 01:48:31 | More by Kmccabe33

Duff27

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Inch tall white head on a golden orange. Head never fully recedes. Sticky lacing.

Bitter citrusy hops on the nose.

Well balanced...malt backbone can stand up to the floral citrusy hop assault. Tasty!

Medium mouthfeel, seemingly low carbonation for the style.

Big time flavor on a microscopic abv'ed beer. Highly drinkable. Another winner from Russian River. Thanks kawilliams82.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2012 22:54:16 | More by Duff27

elNopalero

Texas

4.88/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Revisiting this via a growler that had a weekend’s wait on it.

Definitely tastes better fresh, or at the brewery (from the source) but even from a growler after a weekend’s rest it’s enjoyable.

Pours a clear golden-tan color with some foam lacing.

The aroma doesn’t come across as crisp and hoppy as on draught but I still get a pleasing hoppiness—some straw, some grass, a hint of tropical fruit too. Toasted pine and warm grass.

Flavor snaps, with a clear citrus squeeze and some light bitterness. This goes down all too easily. Definitely one I’ll have again.

Serving type: growler

08-30-2012 19:42:21 | More by elNopalero

thagr81us

South Carolina

4.13/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Big thanks goes out to BilbosNuts for this one! Served from bottle into a COAST Willi. Poured a nice golden yellow with slight orange hue with a two finger slightly off-white head that subsided to one finger very slowly. Maintained excellent lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, citrus, citrus hop, grapefruit, grapefruit hop, fruit, and very subtle pine. The flavor was of sweet malt, tropical fruit, citrus, citrus hop, grapefruit hop, fruit, and subtle grapefruit. It had a light feel on the palate with high carbonation. Overall this was a pretty good brew. I was really intrigued by this one upon seeing its release from the brewery. I know RR is good at making IPA/IIPAs so I wanted to see what they could do with an APA. I can honestly say that they did quite a nice job on this one. The simcoe is a very nice hop and this brew definitely showcases this fact throughout each sip and especially in the aroma. This brew also brings a very nice balance of flavor and aroma with it as well to keep your palate intrigued throughout. Up there as one of the best APAs I’ve had, but not quite up to Zombie Dust standards as I would have LOVED to find.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2012 18:28:06 | More by thagr81us

willjschmidt

California

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

Poured from a 500ml bottle (bottled on 6/26/12) into a Sierra Nevada 30th anniversary glass.

A: Pours a golden straw color with a 1/4" white head.

S: Some light citrus, a hint of pine.

T: Great way to taste simcoe on it's own. Light citrus in the form of orange and grapefruit. A hint of pine as well. Moderate yet pleasant bitterness in the finish and aftertaste. All of top of a light malty body.

M: Medium bodied, average carbonation.

O: A great pale ale. Excellent showcase of the simcoe hop.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2012 03:22:21 | More by willjschmidt

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Draft at Monk's Cafe in Philadelphia, PA.

Pours a slightly hazy, pale golden straw color with visible carbonation bubbling up and a two finger frothy white head.  Excellent retention, only slowly fading into a lasting cap.  Large streaks and spots of soapy lacing left behind.

Delicate floral hop aroma that becomes more prominent as it warms.  Slight grassy/piny with subtle citrus and light fruit notes.  Hints of apple, pear, pineapple, grapefruit and lemon peel with a light biscuit malt backbone.  

Medium bodied with tight carbonation and a spicy, floral hop bite up front that provide some dry bitterness that lingers throughout.  This is countered mid-palate by pale malt, subtle citrus and some light fruit.  Bitter but not too much so with the perfect amount of dryness that's countered by bready yeast, biscuit and pale malt.  I'm also picking up hints of straw, apple and pear.  Well balanced with great hop flavor making this beer very quaffable.

Serving type: on-tap

08-14-2012 22:15:36 | More by corby112

dbmernin83

California

4.55/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Tony's

Looks a lot better on draft. Great head and lacing, almost crystal clear toasted straw.
Yep, smells like hops. Citrusy piney delicious.
Flavor follows nose. Crisp, dry and refreshing. Great carbonation.
Fuckin eh, another homerun for Russian River.

Serving type: on-tap

08-08-2012 06:45:25 | More by dbmernin83

Arbitrator

California

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

Chilled growler into a glass.

A: Pours a slightly hazy burnt orange body with sudsy off-white head. It lingers and clings to the glass. Just to be safe, I drink the whole growler to make sure the beer remains consistent. It does.

S: Floral and perfumey, with an orange-grapefruit nose. Very light malt presence. This is fantastically aromatic once the beer gets to serving temperature (I usually keep growlers on the colder side to preserve them).

T: Bright, clean hoppy flavors: it is floral up front, grapefruit-driven in the mid-taste, and ends clean and dry with only a light presence of crackery pale malt near the finish. It occasionally has a burst of bitterness in aftertaste, as if exhalation brings forward some hop oils, but it is infrequent and not overpowering.

M: Light-bodied, with velvety carbonation. It is immensely drinkable and goes down very well.

O: Having drank 5 or 6 growlers of this, I think I'm prepared to say I like this beer. However, it's a poster child for craft beer inflation; its $6 / bottle asking price at my local shop is simply too much for an APA. I think Russian River also found this out the hard way, as they distributed more to local stores after it apparently didn't sell out at the pub. I'll drink the shit out of this in growler form, though...

Serving type: growler

08-05-2012 08:29:19 | More by Arbitrator

ccrida

Oregon

4.8/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured into my Heretic Brewing shaker pint, Row 2 / Hill 56 is clear gold with a white head leaving light, sticky lace.

Smell is dank, over-ripe lemony hops. This is, as they state, "the story of simcoe". There's some skunky funk, and resin.

Taste follows the story. Great pale ale, really nice hop flavor, the full spectrum of this hop, with very little cracker malt to get in the way. Modest bitterness, lots of citrus, resin. Love the lemon.

Mouthfeel is slippery and light.

Drinkability is high. This is a fantastic pale ale. Wow. Love it!

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2012 04:43:31 | More by ccrida

kawilliams81

Illinois

4/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 510 ml bottle into 16 oz chalice.

A- pours a nice caramel color with a 2" off-white head. Big trails and waves of lacing.

S- caramel, light toast, light spicy hops

T- caramel and toasted malts, light lemon, lots of spicy, grassy hops

M- light body and medium carbonation. Slight oily, slick feel.

O- nice pale that's not overpowered by the spicy hops which is good by me.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2012 22:53:34 | More by kawilliams81

aasher

Indiana

4.53/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

This was courtesy of BrewerB in a recent box. Thanks Brian!

Bottle date is 6/26. This one pours a light bodied unpolished gold in clor with a very soapy two finger head. The nose is fresh and like sticking your face in a bucket of Smcoe. It's light and floral and the malt certainly takes a backseat. I do appreciate how pale the malt is, allowing the hops to shine. The flavors too are hoppy, clean, and floral. There is also a perfumey essence. I love how straightforward it is. Simcoe isn't my favorite hop varietal but that doesn't phase me from cherishing this beer. It would be fun to see what other hop varietals could do with this recipe. It drinks light and is very smooth. Overall this is a great pale. I would place it behind Zombie Dust and the Hill Farmsteads but that already puts it in an elite class.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2012 04:10:28 | More by aasher

cosmicevan

New York

3.95/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

consumed on 7/12, while I was "on Hiatus." picked up from one of them mail order services. enjoyed from my russian river tulip.
bottled 6/26/2012 (2 weeks and 2 days ago)

a - brew poured a transparent orange with a finger of sudsy bubbly head that fizzled away to a thin skin of bubbles. visible carbonation could be seen casually climbing to the surface. lacing was streaky at best.

s - yum, smells like fresh hops with a nice malty backbone. the hops lead the way, but this isn't a pale ale that teases you into questioning if it is actually an ipa. some nice earthy pale ale notes.

t - just like the nose, there is little doubt that this is a pale ale and not an ipa. the earthy malt backbone is very present and balanced out by the hops, but the earthy malts dominate the flavor.

m - medium bodied, a bit chewy even.

o - overall, a pale ale for sure. i would like to see the hop profile in the nose to be a bit heavier on the flavor, but then again, this is a pale ale and not an ipa. enjoyable, but not mind blowing.

bottle

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2012 01:40:59 | More by cosmicevan

dmatsui

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

Poured from a 22 bomber. One finger of fluffy, irregular head dissipating quickly with a little lacing. Pretty golden light orange color and some haziness.

Nice fruity and citrusy simcoe hoppiness. A swirl really brings out the malt character which is nice and caramely but pretty light. Sweet pine scent comes through.

Such an amazing hop character without a thick maltiness. Super refreshing rindy and spicy citrus characters really shine. Very elegant, clean, simple and unique flavor. Mouthfeel is light and refreshing.

Just an outstanding Pale Ale, venturing into IPA territory but retaining a nice light drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2012 05:26:11 | More by dmatsui