Russian River Damnation Batch 23/46 (Oak Aged)

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

I tasted this beer at City Beer in San Francisco. It has the perfect balance between tart and oakey smoothness.

Great head and lacing, had twice the head of normal damnation. The sweetness is much more pronounced than the regular damnation (had them side by side). Some wood character comes through, this is a much fuller beer. The yeast does not fit perfectly with this style like it does with the normal batch. This is an amazing transformation that shines on its own right, but keeps its similarities to the original.

( 750ml bottle HUGE thanks to ericandersnavy) Pours very cloudy orange with great head and lacing. Nose of cherries, oak, alcohol, grass and spicy hops. Taste of spicy yeast, creamy, tropical fruits. This beer is extremely well carbonated. The ONLY flaw is a little sweetness is lacking. Aside from that this beer is near perfection.

Bottle Deep golden in color with a little white head. Yeasty spicy aroma. Peppery citrusy notes. Hoppy and malty flavor. Very smooth tasting and not too sweet. Spicy lemony floral notes. Finish is spicy. Medium bodied. Very drinkable. Wow. Really a great beer. Wish we could get more.

This Belgian Tripel pours a orange gold color from a corked 750ml bottle. Small to medium sized white foamy head, with nice retention. The aroma is orange and floral, yeasty and a touch of brett. A medium bodied Belgian Tripel. The malts are fruity and sweet, with lots of orange, apricot and citrus. The hops are citrusy and floral. There is a slight touch of oak as well. Some spices, some brett and must. This beer is very hoppy for tripel, but is not overpowering and the spices, the hops and the oak blend well together. Lively carbonation. Hides the alcohol very well. This bottle has been sitting in the fridge for a year or so, wish I had a few more to age. Really nice beer. Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish is crisp and slightly dry. Aftertaste is slightly bitter.

Bottle. Holy shit is what comes to mind here. Just a great looking beer as the head lasts and lasts. The first thing I notice is the subtle use of orange and tangerine. Sweet without being cloying. Dry without feeling like the Sahara. Soft, like silk, this is an amazing beer.

Bottle from IrishBoy. Trying after watching the movie The Number 23. It’s an interesting number. Color is a very light amber, with a very thin white head. Aroma is apples, nutmeg, yeast, oak, vanilla. Taste is a heavy vanilla and oak content followed by the traditional Damnation spiciness of nutmeg and cloves; has a light content of alcohol which comes across in a positive way, has a llight sweetness in the end also. This just makes me understand why Russian River is my far and away favorite brewery.

Bottle. Golden copper color with a frothy ivory head. Somewhat oaky nose with tons of fruit; bananas, strawberries and apricots. The oak is very understated. Malty and a bit sweet with more banana notes. Tons of apples in the flavor. Lingering finish and slightly hot. This beer rocks!