Russian River Consecration

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

Bottle brought back from California thanks to Pizza Port Carlsbad beer store. Did not travel well, even though I waited several weeks to open. Upon popping the top, immediate foam barreled out - foam tasted great didn’t want to waist any of it. Surprisingly did not take much away from this amazing beer -previously had it on tap and fell in love. Pours a beautiful reddish dark brown with thin off white head, the color of an aged port. Aroma is oak wine barrel, sour dark cherries, yeast, a mix of champagne and heavily oaked red wine. Taste is for a split second sweet fruit but then switches to an amazing tartness - sour grapes, red wine, dark cherries, oak in the background. Stays sour and bitter on the tongue in the finish - leaves you wanting more. Great beer that has opened my eyes to the style.

Brother Jeff brought this to us from CA to our reunion in CO. Thanks Jeff! What a treat. Bother Jon said that it was a kind of a "beer warhead," and Sister-in-Law Katina thought it was like "fresh olives off the tree." Works for me! I liked it.

Mahagony-red, quickly dissipating white head, no lacing. Aroma is of candy sweetness, oak, dark cherries, some red wine. Flavour is of red wine, light alcohol, cherries, some wood, oak. Lightly sour mouthfeel, med body, med/high carb. Finished with a bit of alcohol, some cherries.

Why does this have to be 10%? It’s good but the alcohol seems to take away from the flavour. Still very enjoyable.

750ml bottle.
Opened March 2009.
Batch 001X2.

Another great beer from @trevor211. First edition Consecration in caged bottle. Wow. Huge dark fruit flavors, coming from all angles, with great carbonation. About the tastiest thing I’ve had in ages, refreshing and vibrantly interesting. Dark ruby pour with a light head, flavor is assertive and unique. Can’t wait for more.

batch #3 bottle via psprings. shared with the crew 9/27/9. dark stained mahogany brown/maybe ruby.... it’s capped with a small off white head which fades to a ring in a hurry. sweet nose is immediately identifiable as currants! (that’s a first for me)... followed in many layers of funky tart, must, milk/lactic sour, steel/metal/mineral/blood/iron, grass, a touch of alcohol tingle, earthy wood, cocoa? and peppery spice. the flavor delivers with all of the aforementioned... and then some!... deliciously tart, terribly well balanced, feminine, fruity, mineral-y, grassy, musty... friggin’ awesome! full body for the style. rich yet tart and crisp. alcohol and sugar are nowhere to be seen in the mouth feel. nice! 10/5/10/5/18/4.8

Bottle. Pours a clear amber color with a small off-white head. Has a fruity and slightly tart vinous woody aroma with hints of currant. Sweetish yet tart woody currant flavor. Has a fruity warming tart finish with hints of wood.

Have tasted multiple times from bottle and draft; not sure where I saved this rating from. Darky cherry red color. Sour cherry comes out in the taste with nice sweetness and moderate sour funk. Moderate thickness and dark malts balance well and make this a nice sipper. Very nicely done...welcome in my glass any time.

I was really looking forward to trying this beer, so I popped the cock and prepared to drink this bottle (batch 001x4) a couple of hours before a big STL Blues playoff game. Pours light brown with a tan/creamy head into my Duvel tulip. Not much lacing along the glass and the head quickly goes away leaving a small tan rim along the sides of the tulip. The smell is amazing, green apples, very sour, but in a great way. Taste is great, lip-puckering sour, but it’s just as if I’m drinking a nice cabernet or pinot noir...wow. Lots of fruit up front and a great mix of sweetness and tart on the finish (makes me want MORE!). Mouthfeel is perfect...just the correct amount of carbonation with this wild..really helps the flavors. I would say this is right down the middle in terms of body, medium. Drinks like a wine with some carbonation, very nice. I still have a few bottles left and they won’t be around too long as much as I enjoyed this one! An awesome wild.