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Russian River Temptation

Russian River Temptation - Sour Ale

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 Percentile 
100
overall
Brewed by Russian River Brewing
Style: Sour Ale

Santa Rosa, California USA

bottled
common

on tap
common

Regional Distribution
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 Ratings  Average  Score  Seasonal  ABV  Style Pctl  Serve in 
5634.09/5.04.08/5.0Special7.25%96Snifter, Tulip, Tumbler
View Statistics  P 

Commercial Description:
Is it beer, or is it wine? "Aged in French oak wine barrels for twelve months with distinct characteristics of fruit and subtle oak" sounds more like a description of wine than beer. But, of course, Temptation is indeed beer. Actually, Temptation is a Blonde Ale Fermented with a special strain of yeast, then aged in French oak chardonnay barrels. Flavors of wine and oak absorb into the brew throughout twelve months of aging. During this aging process, a secondary fermentation occurs using a yeast strain disliked by most brewers and winemakers called Brettanomyces. The "Bret" gives Temptation intriguing characteristics and a pleasant sourness. Temptation is re-fermented in the bottle to create its carbonation--a process commonly used to make fine champagne and sparkling wine. Spent yeast forms a thin layer of sediment to remain in the bottle.
 Most Recent Top Raters Highest Ratings Who's Rated This?  
 ironchefscott (341), portland, Oregon, USA
4.3 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/59/104/518/20
Apr 18, 2008  
For my hundreth review....... starts off with a great nose.....you can smell the mix of the funk and the chardonay then the flavor oh the flavor.......great complex sour funk flavors with a great grainy malt flavor....it is all about balance as far as the flavor is concerned! I could drink this stuff all day!


 nightrider (370), encinitas, California, USA
4.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/59/105/519/20
Apr 12, 2008  
From a 75 ml. bottle. with a huge pop. Big robust white head on top of golden murkiness. Aromas of sweet and sour citrus and yeast. On the palate it is silky smooth. Flavors abound of lemon, pear, apple sourness and not overpowering. The flavors stay in your mouth for an extended amount of time. Incredibly tasty and yummy brew.


 Ramenen (453), San Salvador, El Salvador
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/105/516/20
Apr 9, 2008  
Drank it on tap at the brewery. I love champagne, and this was pretty darn close. Pours light golden with an exquisite lemon/yeast aroma. Carbonated and very champagne like. Wow!


 johnadam2002 (529), Hainesport, New Jersey, USA
4.3 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/104/58/104/518/20
Mar 12, 2008  
Bottle courtesy of imadeadguy. Poured hazy yellow with a fluffy white head. Aroma of sour cherries, apples, and oak. Flavor was mostly the same. Started off with some sour and mellowed into sweet fruit flavors listed above. Really good for 7%.


 imadeadguy (378), back in NJ!, New Jersey, USA
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/103/518/20
Mar 11, 2008  
Thanks to mgumby10 for this one! Shared with john-adam. Carbonation was out the wazoo as I popped the cork(Sprayin like i won the INDY 500)! Poured a very light hazy yellow with foamy white head. Aromas of apples, cherries, and oak. Flavors of apples, sour cherries, and some citrus. Champagne like finish. Awesome beer but it still has something to be desired.


 pintsize (1042), Austin, Texas, USA
3.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/58/104/516/20
Mar 11, 2008    Updated: Apr 20, 2008
2-24-08 and 3-21-08 bottles shared at tastings
(I got the very dreggy pour)
Very cloudy yellow in color with little to no head. Smell is very sweet and floral. Nice sour bite in the flavor and finish. Sweetly sour and yet dry on the finish.
The other pours from the same bottle were quite different - clear yellow, small taste and little oomph.
However, my pour was wonderful - not too over the top and very worth while. I would love to try it again!


 BeerZack (116), Austin, Texas, USA
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/57/103/516/20
Mar 5, 2008  
375ml Clear golden-straw color with little head and touch of lace. Smells like a sour vinegary macro lager (thin sweet malt and whiff of metallic hops). Thin, almost watery feeling and tasting, but still good- refreshing. Kinda watered-down impression, yet still tart and tangy.


 lb4lb (2011), Austin, Texas, USA
3.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/58/104/516/20
Feb 26, 2008    Updated: Jul 26, 2008
Rerate -
Gigantic 3 Liter bottle shared at tasting. Huge thanks for the chance to enjoy such a fantastic beer and so much of it! Pours a nice glowing orange color with a lasting foamy and bubly white head. Smell is slightly oak, some bret, and fresh dry citrus rind. Taste was mild, a slightly citrusy quality and very oaky with some mild sourness. Quick finish, and incredibly drinkable, I thought. Thanks again!!



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