Row 2/Hill 56 - Russian River Brewing Company

beagle75

Iowa

3.84/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Draft service into a nonic glass at Russian River Brewing Company pub in Santa Rosa.

A: Clear, light amber color with less than one finger of white foam head. Moderate lacing remains on the glass.

S: Mild and clean, showing a mix of toasted bread and simplistic pine.

T: Begins dry, with refined under-toasted malt and hops aromatics that are dank and coniferous. Sweetness increases during the middle, drawing attention to the remarkably clean malt. The finish exhibits moderate bitterness with a spicy, drying edge that reminds of rye.

M: Thin to medium viscosity, balanced on the palate, with moderate carbonation.

D/O: This pale ale is enjoyable for the balance it displays, despite also featuring focused--if a little simplistic--hops qualities. Side-by-side it matches the look of Russian River's Pliny the Elder immediately after pouring, although that other beer coats the glass better. Although the aroma is shy and tends to hide, the flavor stands up to expectations.

Serving type: on-tap

06-15-2013 00:56:50 | More by beagle75

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

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

Halcyondays

California

4.2/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at Beachwood I,

A: Pours a nice deep gold, with a medium fluffy white head, some spots of lace.

S: Very fragrant Simcoe goodness. Floral to a T with some pineapple, pine, honeysuckle flower, and grapefruit.

T: Nice soft bready malt flavour along with some very solid pine, citrus and tropical fruit notes. Nice undercurrent of grass as well. Complex hop character.

M: Medium-bodied, very soft carbonation, frothy.

O: Definite similarities to SNPA in flavour and mouthfeel. A very good product, Russian River always puts out great hoppy beers.

Serving type: on-tap

07-21-2012 03:08:26 | More by Halcyondays

Nugganooch

California

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

On tap – Pizza Port Carlsbad
07/14/12

A: Another draught pour hits the rim of my pint leaving only room for a thin sheet of off-white head over a nice clear golden-amber ale. Streaming carbonation and just a few splashes of cling down the glass.

S: Smell is slightly muted however still displays some grapefruit zest highlights mixed with a bit of pine sap aromas. Picking up some faint hints of bready pale malts as well.

T: Tastes of pure Simcoe love! A nice array of grapefruit and pine with a lesser bit of woodsy herbs. Musky and pungent. This is somewhat aggressive and bitter with an actual touch of crusty bread noted that isn’t as apparent in say Pliny or Bind Pig. Little alcohol kick towards the end. A real step up from the nose. Dry and hoppy with some really fine balance. So much greatness from just one strain.

M: Has a light to medium body with a decent creamy texture overall. Standard level of carbonation with a real crisp drying finale. Ample dry-hopping gives a sticky residual lupulin linger.

D: This is not the new hop blockbuster to go off hoarding but just masterfully crafted as expected. A fine showcase to the versatility of the Simcoes with flavors ranging from citrus to evergreen and herbs. Balanced proper with some noticeable malt character to it. Very enjoyable. I will look forward to trying a few bottles.

Serving type: on-tap

07-17-2012 21:24:56 | More by Nugganooch

BucannonXC5

California

3.98/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Churchill Pub in San Marcos, Calif., on July 14, 2012. Draft into pint glass. Honey pale color. Two fingers of head once I got it. Gray and tan lacing with good retention. Even on the sides and foamy.

Smelled a sharp whiff of grapefruit right away. Slight pine and lemon as well. Very bitter.

Sharp bitter taste right away. Grapefruit citrus hops dominated as expected after the smell.

Medium-to-light body. Thin texture. Average carbonation. Bitter abrupt finish.

A pretty good beer overall, but I was a bit disappointed overall. That being said, I’d still give it another go.

Serving type: on-tap

07-16-2012 01:44:18 | More by BucannonXC5

jdense

Oregon

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

On tap at Toronado SF, $4 during Happy Hour "is for whores" (Don Younger) 7.4.12.

One finger pure white head, small bubbles, over medium gold clear body, multiple streams of rising carbonation. Nose is a combination of fruitiness, grapefruit pith, clean non-assertive malt with a bit of pine resin. Taste mirrors nose, more fruity than malty until the pine notes set in on the back end, increasingly so as it warmed. Mouthfeel on the light side of medium, good effervescence. A real revelation re single hop APA, glad I got the last glass before the keg blew. One of the hoppier APAs I've had, and one of the best tastewise. Definitely worth a try.

Serving type: on-tap

07-06-2012 15:12:27 | More by jdense

lacqueredmouse

Australia

4.3/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Had on-tap at Russian River in Santa Rosa, CA. I'm not a huge fan of Simcoe, so I was interested to see if Russian River could turn my head.

Pours a quite light yellow colour, with some mild hazing to the body. Weight is solid but not overpowering. Head is filmy, patchy, but solid enough, and it leaves great lace. Overall, it's a pretty good-looking beer.

Nose is just lovely. Bright, punchy citrus like lemon and mandarin comes through strongly along with clean, fresh elements like passionfruit and lychee. Wow, this is Simcoe? It is, but not as I know it, obviously. This is powerful, sharp, fragrant and gorgeous.

Light clean entry on the palate, leading to more of those spicy lychee characters with deeper leafier hop characters. There's a slightly savoury note on the back with just enough bite to sharpen it, but no overt bitterness. Very clean and light feel, which is suitable.

OK, OK, Russian River. I give up. How did you perform this magic trick with Simcoe? This is gorgeous stuff, like no Simcoe I've ever had before—to me Simcoe was flabbily and lazily hoppy, giving citrus and oily pine with residual sweetness that always detracted from the beer. This is fragrant, juicy, tight and delicious. I'm just going to put it down to your skill.

Serving type: on-tap

07-05-2012 00:24:43 | More by lacqueredmouse

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On Tap at Monk's Cafe in Philly after their Russian River/Sierra Nevada dinner. In a pint glass.

Row 2/Hill 56 goes in the glass looking a pale shade, a nice golden glow with some faint bronze and faded orange mixed within. A nice amount of semi sturdy bright white foam leaves notches on the glass.

Smell is abundant with that simcoe scent, a nice floral arrangement with some orange and earthy tones. After some time the faintest amount of malt pops up, and it is minimal. All in all very clean smelling beer.

My sips became gulps real fast, Im tempted to get some more, now. A floral pale ale with simcoe flavor and some citrus tones to keep it West Side. Again the malt is pale and minimal leaving no sweetness or intrusion from the simcoe. Faint pine notes come up but don't beat the citrus.

Feel is at about light and really easy drinking here. A pint is easy and the 2nd if i got one would of been easier to drink. A nice pale ale with flavor that wont hit you over the head.

Serving type: on-tap

05-30-2012 06:26:37 | More by onix1agr

popery

California

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

I had a few pints at the brewpub. It pours a gorgeous shade of gold, relatively pale. Nice white head and lots of lacing. The aroma has a ton of flowery hop aroma. It's a mouth-watering mix of bright citrus, tangerine, lemon, some tropical fruit (pineapple/mango) and light spruce/pine. Just wonderful. Some light sugary caramel malt peeks through the hops. The beer is dry and light on the palate. There's a gentle caramel backbone with definite but light bitterness. It's very easy to drink. I keep using the word light but it's a very flavorful lightness. For my palate, it's perfectly balanced and as good of a session-ish IPA (not really sure what to call these APAs that are dry and hopped up like IPAs/DIPAs) as I've had. The finish is crisp with more marvelous floral hop character. It's an excellent beer. I still remember liking Hopfather a touch more, so I'll stick with 4.5s, but this is an absolutely worthy edition to RR's APA/IPA/DIPA lineup.

Serving type: on-tap

04-27-2012 22:07:36 | More by popery

HuskyinPDX

Washington

4.15/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Ahh. A day off sitting at Russian River.

A - Served a slightly hazy light orange with a small off-white head. Lots o lacing on the glass as the head fades to a thin layer.

S - Very floral and grassy. Here is some citrusy tones as well.

T - Floral and grassy again, but heavier on the grass side.

D - A light body and perfect carbonation.

O - A nice fragrant and light IPA. Perfect way to start my day.

Serving type: on-tap

04-18-2012 19:16:39 | More by HuskyinPDX

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

So this is a single hopped (simcoe) pale ale. And of course, it's got heavy hops goin' on. Salty piney goodness. Consistent, full, and extremely tasty. I would expect nothing less from RR, so I'm glad this is so well done. Only detractor is a salty aftertaste. My first beer at the brewpub, and a good way to start.

Serving type: on-tap

04-16-2012 07:49:50 | More by RblWthACoz

AgentMunky

California

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

Served in a half-pint glass at the brewpub.

A: Tight head with great retention. Clear golden beer with some bubbles.

S: Strong hops (100% Simcoe, apparently). Some pine and some onion. Citrus. Touch of something more tropical.

T/M: Pretty tasty IPA. Gentle-bitter hops. Piny top notes complement a biscuity malt base. Hints of grapefruit are distinctly pleasant. Round and full-bodied. Easily the best Simcoe single-hop ale I've had.

O: Recommended if unremarkable. Would drink again as a tasty IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

04-15-2012 00:26:12 | More by AgentMunky

DovaliHops

California

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

On tap at brewery for Beat release. Pours a nice, clear, bright, golden orange color with an inch of white, frothy head. Scent has that typical Russian River hoppy beer aroma...so fresh and piney. Lovely citrus mixed with sappy pine tree aroma. So inviting! Taste is just as good... probably the most user-friendly pale ale they offer (from ones that I've had). Not as flavorful as the nose would seem to imply, but so much complexity to make this beer as light as it is...it's ridiculous. Lovely "in your face" DIPA flavors, just mellowed out a pit to suit the pale ale profile. Very tasty. Mouthfeel is light bodied and crisp...refreshing. Drinkability is very high. Overall, this is one fantastic pale ale from RR...as expected.

Serving type: on-tap

04-05-2012 09:10:14 | More by DovaliHops

wethorseblanket

California

4.48/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap @ Russian River Brewery. Had during happy hour the day before Beatification was released.

A: Pours a clear light golden yellow with a fine carbonation which creates a pencil thick with head. Good clingy lace.

N: Oh boy, this is hop heaven. Big juicy grapefruit and tangerine citrus. Fresh and dripping wet.

T: A hop bomb just exploded in my mouth! Amazing sticky pine cone resin. Citrus fruits, and catty.

M: Medium body and medium carbonation. Bitter and dry finish.

O: Enjoyed every drop, so I got another. Do yourself a favor and get this. Wonderful.

Serving type: on-tap

04-01-2012 23:25:35 | More by wethorseblanket

nataku00

California

4.4/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap poured into a nonic glass at the pub. Beer pours a clear golden yellow with a finger of white foamy head, dissipating after a few minutes with lots of sticky lacing. Plenty of carbonation floating up from the bottom of the glass, though not super vigorous.

Nose is nice, dank grassy and herbal with a nice sweet orange. A touch of fresh pine in there to lighten up the danker hop aromas. As the beer warmed, a touch of toasted grain comes through as well. Not super in your face aromatic, like the Zombie Dust I had earlier this week, but very nice.

Taking a sip, nice hop bitterness right away, dank grass, pine, orange and grapefruit, but nice balanced by sweeter citrus and the lightly toasted malt sweetness. Very flavorful without being overbearingly bitter.

Light body with soft and ample carbonation. Very refreshing and easy to drink beer.

Serving type: on-tap

04-01-2012 04:30:49 | More by nataku00

largadeer

Kentucky

4.68/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Draft at the brewpub. An all simcoe pale ale from Russian River? Yes please.

A beautiful pale gold body on this one. Brilliantly clear, and very pale, bordering on a blond ale appearance. The head is about a finger high, and leaves rings of lacing following each sip.

The nose is hugely hoppy, without entirely overwhelming the doughy malt. There's plenty of signature simcoe citrus and tropical fruit on display here, predominantly grapefruit, orange and pineapple, with lesser notes of marijuana and evergreen. This smells fantastic, it even held its own side-by-side with Younger.

Bright citrus flavors wash the palate with each sip. Orange, grapefruit, lemon, and more tropical notes of pineapple and guava. The balance is so impeccable that I have to give this a perfect 5 on mouthfeel. It's light-bodied but not thin, and just malty enough to avoid tasting like hop water. Bitterness is reserved, just firm enough to dry out the palate and linger for a moment before fading into lingering tropical fruit goodness.

It's hard to find fault in this beer. I've got a soft spot for low ABV hop bombs, and this beer delivers. The only reason it's not a perfect 5.0 for me is because Alpine's Hoppy Birthday exists, but this is pretty damn close.

Serving type: on-tap

02-09-2012 02:07:25 | More by largadeer