Russian River Beer Esteam

Brewed by Russian River Brewing
Style: California Common
Santa Rosa, California USA

On tap at Russian River brewery. Kind of an uncommon style that I did not expect to come across at the brewery in Santa Rosa. Largely lacking many qualities of the bigger, better and more complex brews they tend to make, this one is a somewhat boring compilation of aroma and flavors. Grassy, dried hay notes in the aroma with some hops noticeable. Clear, clean pale color with no head, just fine white lace. Flavor is a disappointment; stale cereal and cardboard that leaves a metallic finish. Huh.

Draft at the brewpub, nose is caramel and light grassy hop, clear gold with a small straw head, flavor light pepery spice, caramel, bittierness; decent steamer!

I was disappointed after trying this on tap at Russian River. I love Anchor Steam Beer and it sounded good, but it was far too hoppy and one-dimensional for me. It is darkish golden-amber with a small but fairly dense white head that dissipates quickly to a foam ring, but it leaves some lacing throughout. The aroma is very weak and mostly hop, especially pine. The taste is pine, a little grass, and a bit too bitter, mostly just hops with too little malt or other elements. It is not as hoppy or bitter as a typical American IPA, but it’s too much of a bland but bitter, one-note beer.

Tap @ Toronado. A medium golden color with a laced white head. Smooth caramel flavors without complexity but solid nonetheless. An oily body with a slight earthiness.

Pour is clear golden with a small white head...smell is lightly earthy at first (dusty) and slight pine notes...taste is metallic indeed, and has some hints of bread crumbs...interesting for sure...

Draft. Golden color with a low whitish head. Slight grassy aroma with some malt. Slight metallic, eatyhy, grassy flavor with malt backing. Medium body. Lingering metallic and grass.

Caramel and hops nose with a soft clean mouthfeel devoid of crystal malt characters I despise so much. Dry clean and floral finish.

Slightly yeasty aromas. Bright orange with creamy, white head that lasts nicely. Yeasty, slightly nutty flavor. Medium-full bodied.