Toronado 25th Anniversary Ale - Russian River Brewing Company

JoeySchlitz

California

4.5/5  rDev +2%

08-11-2012 22:27:38 | More by JoeySchlitz

DefenCorps

Oregon

4.28/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Thanks, Chris.


Pouring a clear mahogany red with a thin but lingering off- white head with excellent retention and modest lacing, this beer looks pretty good. The nose is brightly fruity and sour with Red wine, grape skins, currants, as well as a little balsamic vinegar. There's a touch of a light fruity brightness that really brings to mind Temptation. Oak character is reserved. While reminiscent of Consecration, it doesn't have the deeper leathery and earthy notes. A touch of lime is present as well. The funky notes are a blend of barnyard, hay and maybe some pot pourri?


The palate opens bright and citrusy with lime and a modest lactic acid bite. Acetic character is minimal on the palate. Quite a bit of fruit is present, with cherries, currants , white grapes ( closer to verjus, really) red grapes and even some plums. The sourness is intense, probably more than it needs to be, but it is tastefully done in that it does complement the fruit notes, as well as the moderate sweetness, one that again brings to mind fruit, in an enjoyable way. The sweetness is a blend of cocoa and buckwheat honey, very enjoyable. Oak character is minimal , though the sourness does sensitize the palate to the mild level of tannins present. The sourness does whelm the funk notes that are present on the nose, which is unfortunate. The finish is long, juicy and moderately vinous, with a strong lactic sourness. Ultimately, this is an excellent addition to the Russian River pantheon of sours, really bringing to mind a blend of Consecration and Temptation with the unexpected sweetness that's at a modest level really working.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2013 06:53:42 | More by DefenCorps

Retail1LO

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +7.7%

06-11-2013 00:31:33 | More by Retail1LO

iL0VEbeer

New Jersey

4.75/5  rDev +7.7%

06-10-2013 12:26:04 | More by iL0VEbeer

Bockerdoppel91

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +2%

06-09-2013 19:26:01 | More by Bockerdoppel91

patm1986

New Jersey

5/5  rDev +13.4%

06-08-2013 04:10:53 | More by patm1986

JMRSN

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +2%

06-07-2013 17:14:41 | More by JMRSN

phishbfm

North Carolina

4.75/5  rDev +7.7%

06-05-2013 17:32:51 | More by phishbfm

SocalKicks

California

4.5/5  rDev +2%

06-05-2013 06:13:49 | More by SocalKicks

phishphorce

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +2%

06-04-2013 06:01:43 | More by phishphorce

Phillyz

Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +13.4%

06-03-2013 17:59:51 | More by Phillyz

Pecan

California

4.5/5  rDev +2%

06-03-2013 06:25:28 | More by Pecan

bird22

California

4.5/5  rDev +2%

06-03-2013 05:07:55 | More by bird22

Michigan

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev -3.6%

06-02-2013 23:37:11 | More by Michigan

macrosmatic

Florida

4.54/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

**REVIEW NUMBER 400**

Big thanks to Reja for sending this bottle! Reviewed from notes. Poured from corked and caged 750 mL bottle into a Peg's snifter glass.

A: Almost completely clear dark amber - reminds me of a really dark apple cider in appearance. About a finger's worth of white head - big bubbles. A moderate amount of visible carbonation crawling up the sides.

S: Funky barnyard and mouth-puckering tartness. Dark fruit, some apples and grapes...and oak tannins galore.

T: This is complex, and I'm not real sure how to approach it. Sour and tart (starts with an acetic acid sharp burn, then more lactic and lemony sour spread throughout the mouth) up front. Big tartness in the middle of the drink on the center of my tongue. Oak tannin dryness as well throughout, but I don't get big vanilla flavors from it. Lots of Brett funkiness throughout, although maybe less than I expected. Belgian fruity esters are here too, but they're everywhere and I can't quite nail down a certain fruit profile. Almost makes me think of eating too much fresh pineapple with the amount of burn down in the belly. Maybe some sour cherry as well? Finish is oak, sour and fruity, and I'm left with the description of "sour banana", though I realize that doesn't make a lot of sense.

M: Medium body, and a mouthfeel that's incredibly tingly (lots of carbonation plus the sour tingle). Alcohol is noticeable but melds nicely into the rest of the beer.

O: This was really, truly outstanding the the most literal sense. They got the blend right, and I spent the entire snifter worth really trying to work through the levels of complexity. It is seriously sour though, and it toes the line of almost too much - not for someone starting into sours. Very very enjoyable, and I wish I had a couple more bottles to see how it would change.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2013 16:29:47 | More by macrosmatic

rudylaw

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +2%

05-29-2013 23:47:43 | More by rudylaw

mookihouse

California

4/5  rDev -9.3%

05-28-2013 17:00:38 | More by mookihouse

mroberts1204

California

4/5  rDev -9.3%

05-25-2013 20:09:00 | More by mroberts1204

Hophead717

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -20.6%

05-25-2013 03:38:38 | More by Hophead717

nrs207

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +7.7%

05-25-2013 03:37:46 | More by nrs207

jl28r1

Texas

4.75/5  rDev +7.7%

05-19-2013 18:04:31 | More by jl28r1

Photekut

Azerbaijan

4/5  rDev -9.3%

05-18-2013 21:04:17 | More by Photekut

beernads

Florida

4.75/5  rDev +7.7%

05-18-2013 06:43:36 | More by beernads

Zbeetleman

California

4.5/5  rDev +2%

05-15-2013 03:34:31 | More by Zbeetleman

HevvyMetalHippie

Massachusetts

3.25/5  rDev -26.3%

05-12-2013 03:17:40 | More by HevvyMetalHippie