Russian River Damnation

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

666! Ahhh...mark of the beast. I chose this because well I wonder...aren’t we all damned!? Anyways, 750 ml bottle picked up at the local QFC. Orange/gold/yellow haze appearance. Very big head that settles down into a smaller head, but the head is still there. ARoma is fruit with some yeast. Subtle sweet candy flavor. This to me doesn’t have that heavy yeast aroma/flavor of most Belgian ales. This one seems a bit more mild. Not overly carbonated. I like this one because it is a bit more relaxed than some of the other Belgians that I have had. Pretty good, but not the best. I do enjoy Russian River beers, but their sours are the best. This Belgian is good, but it is more mild than others.

Belgium beers have been sought after for centuries. In the great beer producing country of Belgium the brewers have made some what of a tradition to give their brews an unusual name. Sometimes the names are curious, other times diabolical and then again they can just be silly. The Russian River Brewery out of California has prided themselves on their Belgium style ales and have out done themselves with the Damnation. This Belgium strong golden ale is 7.0% ABV, has extraordinary aromas of banana and pear with mouth filling flavors of sweet malt and earthy hops. The lingering finish is dry and slightly bitter, but very very smooth.

750 ml bottle purchased at QFC in Harbour Pointe, WA. Pours a hazy yellow with a thick white head. Flavor: Hints of bananas, biscuits, and a dry finish.

Pours a hazy golden with a nice big frothy white head. Aroma is yeasty with some bannana and other fruit. Flavor has plenty of yeast as well with some fruit and spice. Some hops, but pretty well balanced. A little bit of a dissapointment for me due to the reputation of the brewer and this not being my favorite brew by any stretch. That said, I’m fairly new to the style and was really hoping for more of a Triple.

(750ml bottle) Pours a pale hazy yellow, good lasting head and excellent lacing. Nose is plastic, hay, sweet malt and very low hop presence. Taste is nicely sweet balanced with a low amount of hops, spicy yeast and velvety mouthfeel. A perfectly balanced beer in my opinion.

(bottle). Cloudy, light golden color with particles floating. Large off white head, which is frothy/rocky. Light hop and lemon aroma. Light hop, apricot, and alcohol flavors. Avg duration. Very light alcohol on the finish. Slick texture. Moderate carbonation. Good lacing.

From bottle. Pours golden with a small white head. Smell is of coriander. Eh I hate coriander. Taste is of coriander as well. If I didn’t know any better I’d think my glass had soap in it. Horrible beer. Will never drink again.