Russian River Benediction

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

This is excellent and complex. It’s very dark ruby red with a medium off-white head that shrinks steadily to a foamy ring and wispy top with a little lace. The aroma is subdued but good. It’ssweet and fruity, dried figs, ripe plums, stewed pears, and toasty grain. The taste is excellent, restrained yet still fairly assertive, well-rounded and balanced with some complexity. Raisiny and a little spicey, it has stewed, caramelised pears, hint of dried fig, fruity grain, toastiness, hint of pepper, and a little light red wine. Sweetness is consistent and balanced with light bitterness and spicey warmth. Aftertaste is caramelised toast and fresh plums. All is well-integrated and well-rounded, smooth and drinkable.

on tap at The Russian River Brewing Company in Santa Rosa, CA. clear amber body with a medium, off-white head. some lacing. floral aromas. tastes of honey, lemon, cherries and grassy hops. subtle bitterness throughout. finishes sour. light body, clean palate, easy carbonation. quality ingredients. very tasty.

On tap at the Drafting Room from my notes. The beer was presented in a pint glass, not in a chalis or tulip but this just meant that I got to have more Benediction to sample. Lucky me. The color of the beer was a nice bright orange/amber color with a thin white head and slight lacing. The aroma of this is excellent. From the first wiff you get the fruit tones as noted below, including banana and some plum and a bit of spice. It is worth taking in the aroma for awhile before you taste the beer. The taste is even more impressive than the aroma. I get the banana and clove taste that others have stated they get. This is such a good dubbel that I had to have a few more. It is very drinkable as the sweetness and some hoppy backnotes mix well in your mouth and may for a very enjoyable drinking experience. Well done Russian River, well done.

Draught at the brewpub. Clear dark amber. Aroma of cocoa and cocktail cherries. Fairly dry and rather sofy with firm mouthfeel and above medium body. Light almond character. Rich flavours of orange and chocolate opens up when it warms, and the relative dryness makes them stand out. Salty finish.

On tap at Liars Club in San Diego. This one poured a gorgeous burnt amber color with ruddy highlights and a small beigy head that rapidly diminished to a film and a ring. Aroma of apple, brown bread, a little grass adn herbs with banana as well. Sweet and tart flavors, delicious fruity malts, woody notes from the oak again, coffee, yeastiness, brown sugar, a bit of an alcohol bite and an acidic finish. Medium body, assertive carbonation. Quite nice.

This was a draft pour at the brewpub. It came a cloudy copper color with an off-white head and good lacing. Nose is very Belgian, with ripe fruit, pine, spices and other tantalizing aromas. Mouthfeel is smooth and medium. The flavor is complex and quite bitter for a Belgian Ale, but somehow it all hangs together in good balance. Bitter finish. Excellent brew and a joy to drink.

On tap at Toronado: Poured to perfection in a snifter glass and had a tiny layer of foam while the beer itself was dark shade of copper. Aroma is bold and decked with hops and malt. Flavor is rich and bold with a strong citrus styled hop along with malty sweet grain. Finish is metallic and feels as though I could drink several glasses of this before I would wave the white flag.

O’Briens TION night. Pours murky brown with lots of carbonation and a thick off-white head. Good lacing. Beautiful sweet brown sugar, candied sugar, and yeast aroma with a subtle fruity background. Very smooth, velvety mouthfeel. Lighter tasting than expected; nice change from the typical syrupy sweet and thick dubbels. Sugared fruit flavors; dates, plums, apples. Solid helping of spice, nutmeg and clove taking the forefront. Big yeasty finish. Tastes almost like a strong dunkelweizen with Belgian characteristics.