Russian River Temptation

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

Thanks to egajdzis for splitting a bottle of Batch 002 with me... Appears a hazy, pale gold with a fluffy white cap that slowly fades out. Scattered spots of lacing are left around the glass. Smell is of citrusy, funk, oak, vanilla, brett, and mild sugar. Taste is of the same aromas in a wonderfully done brew. The flavors jump along the palate with glee. Highlights include the light funk mixed with wine, vanilla, and some sugary caramel. This is hardcore and it outdoes some of the counterparts overseas. Mouthfeel is of a spritzy, nicely carbonated yet restrained brew that is smooth but bouncey with the CO2 giving rise to the vanilla esters riding along the sugary, chardonnay grapes. Vinnie is an excellent brewer. He is at the top of the charts for American brewers IMHO. With the wine background, he has the experience to make this stuff work. This is no exception to the rule. Well done.

The Temptation pours a very hazy orange/yellow color with a nice thick and sparkling head. The first few sips of this beer definitely reminds you that it has been aged in Chardonnay barrels for an extended period of time and then you get the sour that is trademark RR.

Small C&C bottle from courtesy of Lando. Thanks for this gem Steve! Pours a hazy, golden yellow out of a deceptively small (looks much bigger) bottle, with a tight off white head. Nose of wine, sourness, light fruits and barnyard hints. Flavor follows with a pronounced white wine. This one integrates fantastically. Well done!

Tap @ Belmont Station... Poured a vibrant golden with a thick, white head that retained a decent size throughout enjoying this tasty beverage. Aroma was wildly funky and yeasty with fruits and spices. The Bret was brilliant in this one. Palate was perfect with that usually dryness from a sour and was very refreshing. Flavors of grains and lots of fruits -- lemon citrus, very sweet with spices -- almost like anise. This beer was like liquid candy, bretty and tangy.

Fluffy head; some haze (hazier toward the bottom of the bottle); pale yellow-orange. Spritzy and refreshing. Champagne-like texture. Light and delicate malts balanced by breezy notes of lemon, yeast and light flowers. Somewhat vinous at times. Nice sourness and a pinch of white vinegar gives it a zingy edge. Very pleasant beer.

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.

750ml bottle. Astounding aroma, with funky, farmy yeast, floral notes, wood, honeyish sweetness, faint winey tones, grassiness and straw. Light yellow color, cloudy, with a lasting, fine head. Flavor profile is impressive as well, dry, very lightly winey, tart, woody, leafy and gently bitter, in turns. Nicely refreshing palate, very light feel and moderate effervescence, body is medium. Really nice!

Bottle@SpontaneousWeekend08. This is abolutely great stuff! Strong powerful aroma of bourbon, malts, apple and light alcoholic. Hazy, yellow color, off-white head, good lace. Sweet, sourish, malty, apple, bitter, very smooth mouthfeel. Great balance. Feels more alcoholic than just 7.25% ABV. Thanks mjames for sharing this!