Haslinger (640), Syracuse, New York, USA Apr 19, 2008 Bottle batch 003. I’m new to sours and not really sure what to expect but this was very tart and acidic. It was almost too tart at the beginning but as it warmed up it mellowed greatly and became much more drinkable. The cherries were very noticeable. Different, but right now I would not buy again AgentSteve (1334), SF Bay Area, California, USA Apr 19, 2008 Pourts an attractive clear copper color with surprisingly, a two finger bubbly head. Nose is tart fruits and telltale brett funk. The flavor is really complex, with the funk leading the way along with a very tart influence, but as it mellows, a smooth sweetness takes over and continues to evolve. A very unique ale that’s lively on the palate. Very nice and mellow finish and aftertaste. emacgee (1859), Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA Apr 19, 2008 Thanks mj! batch 002. Pours a nice clean red with a thin fizzy red head. The aroma is tart, acidic, acetic, cherry, spice, vinous, grapes. very nice complex nose and flavor, spicy in the mouth, very tart and acidic, cherry. Lovely barrel aged beer. Wonderful mouthfeel. Love to try this again. ChazMania (408), Pasadena, California, USA Apr 18, 2008 Bottle from the recent batch via RR. Aroma is tart like cherry pie, color is orange and amber. Flavor is huge and sour. I’m new to sours, so I’m not fully in the know with these style. It is very unique and the tart sour flavor lasts a long time. I don’t know what kind of food this might pair with, maybe some pungent cheeses or.....
I need to grow my palate to learn more of the sour beer vibe. nightrider (370), encinitas, California, USA Apr 16, 2008 Amber brown murky shade with a whispy off white head.Aromas of yeast and sourness. Very smooth on the palate. Great tart sour cherry and a little funkiness. aubreya (676), Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA Apr 12, 2008 The color was cloudy and dark amber/brown. The head was creamy, very thin, and off-white. The aroma was cherry, tart, aged, and wine. The flavor was tart, cherries, yeast, aged, and wine. The palate was medium-bodied. The finish was tart. tertons (74), East Providence, Rhode Island, USA Apr 3, 2008 Updated: Oct 6, 2009Cherry filled with vinous, oak, and funky qualities. The dark amber explodes with a medium based sour and tart flavor within a wild sensibilty of aging on many liquid layers. Beerlando (2284), Orlando, Florida, USA Mar 23, 2008 Updated: Apr 27, 2008Update, fresh batch 003. Courtesy SoLan. Not significantly different from batch 002, except to say that this beer is slightly better when fresh. Striking sourness is balanced by a lactic creaminess that just makes this brew so incredibly easy to drink. Both batches were excellent. Russian River kicks ass.
Batch 002. Pours a clear, blood red color. A minimal, fizzy tan head quickly dissipates, leaving almost nothing behind. The aroma features pure, fresh, sour cherries as the backbone. Soft oak and moderate lactic funk emerge, as do hints of Concord grape juice. The flavor is again based on sour cherries, but the grape element really surprises. The use of Pinot Noir barrels (my favorite red grape) is nothing short of genius. The softness of the Pinot lends itself perfectly to a sour ale, and the oak is subtle enough to impart its signature vanilla note without overpowering things. Slightly more substantial than an average sour, the mouthfeel is highly carbonated, yet smooth and silky. Finishes bone dry, with the mouth begging for the next sip. As I stare at my empty glass, I am saddened, and that is the sign of a fantastic brew. Russian River is simply incredible.
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