Russian River Desperation

Date: 12/01/2006
Mode: Draft
Source: Brewfest, Strong Ale Fest

dark amber, wispy beige head, sweet grape wine aroma with a hint of fusel alcohols, big tart malt flavor, lots of oak, tart cherry, lots of lip smacking lactic character that is not apparent in the flavor, a touch of dark fruits,

Aroma: 6/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 15/20
Rating: 3.5/5.0
Drinkability: 6/10
Score: **4

On tap at the 10th Annual San Diego Strong Ale Festival: Pours a transparent copper amber with a thin, spotty-lacing white head. Aroma of some lightly sweet toasty caramel malt and tart, funky wild yeast with some cherry notes. Body starts somewhat full and mildly dark caramely sweet, balanced with a tart, fruity earthy yeasty character toward a slightly drier, complex oaky finish. A nice beer.

10th Annual SD Strong Ale Fest: Poured a clear deep golden brown color. Aroma of tart aged malt. Light brett and leather character. The flavor had some tartnesshitting up against a sweet malt base. Tannic bitter finish.

ha, i knew i’d had this beer and i finally found the rating the other night to enter it. here goes. enjoy. raisins, pears, peach, apricot, cherry and some dried pineapple kind of flavor. very interesting and complex. some of that weird funk that seems to grown on the RR beers. but definitely worth the time

Hand bottled sample from Irishboy. Thanks richard for this. Has a bit of sour note to it bit still has some funky fruity notes. I think with the trip this has turned into a Flemish Sour.. and not a bad one at that. This beats all the De Proefs brews.Tart and bit bit off but still not bad. Thanks Richard.

Hand bottled from IrishBoy - Pours a brown color with no head. I believe we lost our carbonation do the hand bottling. No biggie. I can rate around it. Has a fairly strong vinious aroma. Has a tart fruit flavor. Medium body and slightly dry. Would have been nice to try it at RR. Thanks Richard.

From Growler. Brown amber color with a thin white head. Aroma is cherries, brown sugar, caramel, and has some brett sneaking through. Taste is cherry, with a bit of tartness with caramel. I liked it, but I feel like it’s some what bland from a Russian River beer. But still very good.

(growler sample from irishboy)clear brown with an off white head.aroma is caramel,chocolate,bret,and brown sugar.flavor mixes the aroma.very nice balanced brew for sure.