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Russian River Temptation 4.08 574

Russian River Temptation

Percentile
100
overall

bottled
common

on tap
common

Regional Distribution
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RatingsAverageScoreSeasonalABVStyle PctlServe in
5744.09/5.04.08/5.0Special7.25%95.8Snifter, Tulip, Tumbler
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?  
 Oakes (8113), gone rambling, Cambodia
4.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/105/58/104/517/20
Jun 4, 2005  
Opaque golden - it has that nectar look to it. Say what you want about Vinnie’s beers - they are beautiful to look at. The aroma is bretty, corky, and highly vinous - the most directly winey nose since Stille Nacht Reserva. The flavour is slightly toasty, highly vinous with a puckeringly tart finish. There is a bit of astringency at the back. Leathery, fairly tart finish. Firm pale malts and alcohol support the effort throughout. Kick ass.


 fiulijn (7420), Como; Lausanne (CH); Malmö (SWE), Italy
4.3 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/59/104/518/20
Oct 2, 2009  
Courtesy of Philippe (Bov); corked bottle
Cloudy deep blond color; medium head. Aroma of vanilla, sweet wood, American yeast, light sourness. Smooth mouthfeel, good combination of astringency and sourness, with delicate vanilla/oak notes, The final is woody and lightly sour. Everything is very well combined. Excellent.


 KimJohansen (7130), Copenhagen V, Denmark
3.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/58/104/516/20
Oct 8, 2008  
Hazy yellow with medium white head. Sor aroma with notes of wood, brett, leather grapefruit. Flavour is sour with brett, lemon, barnyard and woody notes. Finished sour.


 argo0 (6972), Washington DC, USA
3.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/515/20
Aug 4, 2005  
(375ml bottle, Batch 1) Big white head atop a hazy apple juice body, nice lacing. Aroma is medium sweet, bret, oak, white wine, some sourness. Taste is medium sweet, white wine, oak, some apple, sour, light lemon. Watery light-medium body, some acidity, pretty drinkable. No sledgehammer in this one, subtleness is the key. Quite enjoyable.


 DJMonarch (6878), Northwich, Cheshire, England
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/58/104/517/20
Nov 22, 2009    Updated: Nov 23, 2009
1. Cask Stillage from the Jug at the GABF, Colorado Convention Center 26/09/2009 Big sour aroma. Golden coloured sour and hoppy with a crisp and slightly dry finish. 2. From the Bottle at the Falling Rock Tap House, Denver 26/09/2009 Sour fruit aroma. Golden coloured slightly hazy in appearance and sour. Smooth on the palate with a crisp and slightly dry bourbon finish.


 harrisoni (6830), Ashford, Kent, England
3.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/57/103/514/20
Jan 11, 2009  
Bottle at Chris o New Year tasting 08/09. Not sure if this was from Reakt or Phil l, but thanks. Cloudy pale gold, thin beige head. Bretty yeasty sour aroma. Taht’s a pretty good beer. It’s slightly more characterful than some beers I’ve had tonight. Bit empty in the mouth though which was disappointing. But I did like the character.


 bierkoning (6084), La Tropica, Netherlands
4.3 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/510/105/517/20
Jun 9, 2008  
Batch #3, from Solan. Thanks! Blonde, cloudy, foamy head. Lemon, grapefruit and leather in the aroma. Sour, oaky flavor with vinous notes, leather, lemon and flowery hops. Astonishing, complex and delicious beer!


 Emil (6074), Copenhagen, Denmark
3.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
5/103/56/104/513/20
May 25, 2006  
Bottle #1. Hazy yellow colour with a white head. Dry acid, citrus fruity, wood aroma and taste, hoppy. Medium to full body with a very dry finish.



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