Russian River Damnation

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

Bomber. Pours a sparkling golden hue with minimal lacey white foam. Aroma is fairly dry, with only a touch of funk and sweetness. Flavor is actually pretty subdued early on. Light citrusy sweetness, and ale-funk... almost a touch watery before rebuilding in strength and complexity through the mid and late palate. A 2nd, and more full, taste confirms that this is just a pleasant, though unspectacular, well-balanced belgian-style golden ale. The ABV is very well concealed, almost dangerously so. A nice, though far from top-tier, RR offering.

Had this a while back. My first beer from Russian River, and it did not disappoint. Aroma was was rich and earthy. Yeasty, as it should be. Has a tart pear taste. Excellent Belgian from right here in America. Good beer that seems to now be available in a lot of places now in Pennsylvania.

Draft at the Taphouse Grill. Clear orange pour with a small white head on it. Has a big fruity, spicy Belgian yeast aroma, with a bit of earth and hay. All the traits of the aroma reappear in the flavor, with a light sweetness. Moderately light on the palate with a fair amount of carbonation and very well hidden alcohol. Nice, balanced, highly drinkable.

Sampled over at Anthony’s apt (1134), in Mesa... this was the first beer we both delved into, so it’s only fitting I review such a beer firstly automobiled: ITS POURINGS are shady-yellowish golds; very fanciful pretty and delighting--TONS OF BUBBLES being dispensed upward from the bottom of the unfiltered yeast proteins of the bottle. Froth is a jolly old good sport: jumbling and thick, which, seemingly, kept on growing and reaching toward the sky... ITS SMELLS are thin and decadent: clove-honey, faint, dry-hopped editionsand buckwheat. Nice. ITS TASTINGS are of that of many merit: estery maltose, and the dry-hopped anticipation, announced by the bottle, is just right... its flavors are heavier than its altogether body. Lovely. Magical. Coriander is also experienced, but not so much as different wheat clusters and thick malt usage. ITS MOUTHFELL, BABY are archaically similar to an Imported bulky dark Belgian ale; swaths thorough and adeqaute through your mouth whole. A surefire rendition of a Belgian lost-art, being re-crafted in America; thanks Vinnie; an amiable session! ;-)

coming soon..............................................

750ml bottle. Pours light golden. Good example of a belgian style ale. Doughy, yeasty with hint of coriander. (actual tasting was on 2/19 - catching up on a marathon tasting session from a couple weeks back)

750 ml bottle Batch 10 opened 8/20/09. Pours a mostly clear (some suspended sediment) golden color with a large white head. The aroma was mildly fruity, somewhat earthy, yeasty and somewhat floral. The flavor was moderately fruity, yeasty, dry with a balancing amount of sweetness. The nuttiness really comes out as it warms. ; noticeable carbonation. Medium bodied, dry.

Bottle. Pours a clear golden beer with a big white head. The aroma is malt, fruit, pepper and yeast. The flavor is fruit, yeast, sweetness, pebber and Belgian style. The palate is sweet. Overall a really good beer.