Russian River Supplication

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

Bottle shared by nolankowal: Dark amber to brown in color with an off white head. Aroma, sour cherries, a nice oak character, there is some sweetness to it, a faint vanilla, and some hints of grapes. Flavor, light cherry, some other fruits, sour grape notes, a nice tartness, a soft sour acidity, a good bit of oak comes through, and a bit of sweetness as well. Very smooth beer, the sour is just perfect for my tastes. Great stuff.

This may be a little too sweet for many tasters. In the tasting that I attended, they served this last with chocolate to accompany it. This beer futher displays Russian River’s creativity when it comes to crafting fine belgian ale. The aging process in Pinot Noir barrels and use of sour cherries definitely contribute solidly to the aroma and sweet flavor. Like a red wine version of Temptation, has a champagne-beer essence. Very good. After tasting them on tap, I bout a bottle of this and Temptation for a whopping $20 total. But worth every penny!

Bottle @ Hamiltons. Had this right after a Beatification and this wins. I like the sours, the cherries and the lingering aftertaste of juice. Pretty much a perfect representation of the style. I was expecting my senses to be reeled, and they were. Could stand to see a 3L bottle of this at the homestead.

Bottle Batch #3 courtesy tpd975. Pours a hazy amber with a large white head that leaves great lacing. Aroma of Pinot Noir, oak, cherries, citrus, and spicy yeast. Taste is the same as aroma. Medium thin tart mouthfeel with a mild amount of bitterness. This beer is freaking amazing. If you like sours do everything you can to get a taste of this delicious brew.

Bottle of batch 3. Huge off white had that was quite persistent. Aroma is of the sour cherries and the Pinot barrel. This beer carries a much strong sour aroma than the previous batches. I like it a lot. Light brownish almost orange color with a nice tingling carbonation that permiates the mouth. Very balanced beer with the hops only adding to bitterness. The superb dryness of the beer makes it incredibly digestible and nearly refreshing. I absolutely love this beer. I am so glad I bought a case of it.

Bottled, Batch 001 and 002 compilation. Brilliantly transparent, fire orangish-red coloring with a thin, wispy white head. As the beer flows out of my bottle and into the glass my nostrils are greeted by a waft of sour cherries. Burying my nose deep into my glass, I smell some sweeter notes of green apple peel as well. This beer is overflowing with tart red fruits: raspberry, thimbleberry, and chokecherries abound. Very sour initial impact on the tongue is quickly followed up by a flavor sensation similar to that of a finely mulled gluehwein. The mouthfeel is actually surprisingly creamy textured, far less carbonated than I expected. As the beer rolls across the back of my tongue I am reminded of fresh yogurt topped with seedy boisenberries. Very vinous finish is definitely where the Pinot Noir aging shines through. Smack of walnuts and cherry rinds. Finishes exceptionally dry with a fantastic tannic cherry skin tartness and funky oak. Simply wonderful.

Another great treat sampled at Stone Sour Fest 09. What a great beer. Cloudy deep orange color. Really smooth for such a sour beer (and it is sour), funk, citrus. Just a great beer.

3 litre bottle, batch 2. Drewbeerme (also known as stripey) shared at his wedding shower. Red-orange with nice white head. Aroma was heavy brett, apple, citrus. Flavor was green apple, tart, a little acidic. Med body. F’n awesome. I loved this beer and thought it was pretty fantastic there was basically a never ending supply of it.