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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 
5644.09/5.04.08/5.0Special7.25%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?  
 TURDFERGUSON (1594), Carrboro, North Carolina, USA
4.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/59/104/517/20
Nov 5, 2006  
12.7 FL. OZ bottle obtained via trade with Ty5592. Thanks brother! Woody, wet cardboard, funk, brett, apple skin, lemon rind. Flavors are slightly reminiscent of a white wine but are more distinctive of a well crafted wood aged beer for me. Pleasent bretty flavors, nothing too sour (too sour can be wonderful, btw) but also not too sweet. Smooth with a thick and gooey mouthfeel. Alcohol is evident but by no means overpowering. Wish I had more of this wonderful brew. I need more Russian Rivers. Someone please help me.


 zathrus13 (1288), Mount Laurel, New Jersey, USA
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/517/20
Nov 2, 2006  
Pours cloudy gold, with a white head. Aromas are sour fruit and white wine. Flavors are fruit, white wine, and yeast. Slightly sour and tart, but in no way overpowering. A nice mix/balance between a strong and sour ale. Highly enjoyable.


 jason (1620), Easton, Pennsylvania, USA
4.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/59/104/517/20
Nov 1, 2006  
Bottle Batch #1. Good aroma and great appearance with nice head that stays. Cloudy look as to the mysteryiousness of this brew. Flavor is fantastic. Not too oaky but well balanced flavor that has the perfect amount of spice. Very smooth and good mouthfeel. One of the best belgian ales I’ve ever had. Cheers!


 illinismitty (1790), Nashville, Tennessee, USA
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/57/105/517/20
Oct 14, 2006    Updated: Oct 15, 2006
Corked 330ml. Pours hazy golden with a thin white head. Nice huge brett aroma, lots of sourness and hint of white wine. Very nice subtle mouthfeel. Nice flavors sour apples, lemon, chardonnay. Not overly sour, which I like. The oak and mild pepper comes out on the finish. This lingers and coats the back of the mouth like an earthy white wine. Very well crafted beer.


 aspidites (1274), manteca, California, USA
4.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/105/517/20
Oct 10, 2006  
Smells like chardonnay meets bret. So delicate and lively it is as if the angels are peeing on your tongue. Soft white fruit and candy come thru with the amazing sour character that can make a grown man cry.


 SG (456), San Clemente, California, USA
3.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
6/103/58/104/518/20
Oct 6, 2006  
Orange/yellow tint, small head diminishes to lacing only. Sour/barnyard nose. Complex flavor profile with "bret" sourness, fruity notes, and underlying oak flavors. Good amount of carbonation. Great.


 jimvy (131), O’Fallon, Missouri, USA
3.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/57/104/516/20
Oct 2, 2006  
GABF 2006. Hazy blonde color, thick head. Aroma is dominated by sour notes. Flavor - sourness dominates but still very smooth, nice. Med-light body. Overall, a really good sour beer--good amount of sourness. Nice malt.


 bgburdman9 (822), Columbus, Ohio, USA
3.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/57/104/516/20
Sep 19, 2006  
Poured a very light color with a white head. Had a sour aroma and flavor. Flavor had a little oakiness. I am always skeptical with sour beers but this wasnt to bad.



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