Russian River Compunction

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

Serve in Snifter, Tulip, Tumbler

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In short: An intense sour and acidic beer halfway between a blonde Sour Ale and a Gueuze
How: Tap at Dark-Lord-Day 2008
The look: Cloudy peach color body with a long lasting medium white head
In long: Nose is barnyard wild, very wild. As funky as the funkiest lambics. Less bretty but more tasty/intense as their Sanctification. As expected the taste is sour, acidic and tart as hell but never falling into the vinegary or lemon extract territory. This is tasty acidity and sourness. Moderately fruity although not specific fruits were coming out. Might be the pluots they use since I don’t know what they taste like (didn’t even know such a thing existed). Then comes the finish, dry and acidic like the most hardcore gueuzes (Cantillon or Hanssens on a good day). Despite its intensity the beer never cease to be refreshing and highly drinkable. This beer to me blends the best of what an intense Sour Ale and an intense Lambic Gueuze have to offer. I never understood why all those people were telling me that they couldn’t understand how could live the life I live without compunction… I understand now… I think.

On tap at Russian River. Bright, floral, acidic aroma (in a good way), a balanced sour with a hint of sweetness from the fruit, medium body. A great example of a Russian River sour leaning toward the lighter side, perfect for summer. Paired perfectly with brewpub pizza because the acidity balanced nicely, but this would be a great warm-weather sipper as well. I loved this, and wish it were around longer!

On tap at Russian River in Feb 14th. Went there mainly to drink the sours and Younger. First beer of the day was Compunction. It pours light golden, hazy, with a small, white, head. Aroma is fantastic, a pleasant tartness, fruity. Dry mouthfeel, brett, sour lemons, finishes a little sweeter with a great, smooth fruitiness that makes me want another sip...and another...and...you get the point. No in-yor-face sourness in this one. It´s so balanced...and great! I had one small glass of Younger and I think four glasses of Compunction during my visit to RR. In my opinion it kicks ass with the other sours of RR, including Consecration which is one of my all time favourite beers. Please bottle and send me some cases!

An amazing sour from Russian River? haha...moving on. More wild than expected from them, some barnyard and odd bitterness but a beautiful sweetness to balance everything out. A wonderful yeast flavor. The fruit wasn’t too evident, but the hints of it made it clear that it was there for a reason. R.R. can do no wrong with sours, it is just a matter of how great they will be.

wow is this a good one. yummy. mildly sour, not a total face pucker-er. very well balanced, nice and fruity and tart, just an overall world class brew.

UPDATED: AUG 30, 2009 On tap at the brewpub in Santa Rosa. Gorgeous hazy pale gold color with light orange highlights and a light, thin white head. Sweet earthiness in the aroma with a sour acetic edge, ripe stonefruit, and some faint wood and oxidative barrel-aged characteristics . Very tart flavor with sweet stonefruit notes. Light body with sharp a prickle of fine bubbles that really lifts up the flavors which come across light and nimble on the palate which highlights the multi-dimensional. This is very well constructed, sophisticated, and intellectual beer.

Hand bottle from Hellomynameis. Very good bottle, still has full carbonation and doesn’t appear to have lost anything in transportation. Holy lord, this is delicious. Though the aroma is mild, horsey funk, carrot, a touch of fruit, the flavor is an onslaught of woody sour with just the faintest touch of fruit sweetness. Freaking amazing flavor. I must have more of this.

These type of beers remind me why i rank beer on top of all beverages. If i were a doctor or a criminal, i would prescribe this beer for depression. The color was tangerine. It was hazy. It had absolutely no head whatsoever. The aroma was on the faint side showing smidgens of sour apricot. Boom! A juicy fruity spritzy, sour, clean-as-fuck beer! I have never in my life had a beer so fruity, balanced, sour, and clean. It tends to be sweet at times, but just as much as it needs to be...this is first rate beer making, no doubt.

hazy yellow/orange with a larger white billowey head. Quite nice aroma, sour nose with some yeast and fruit. Damn this tastes great, soft on the palate with a sourness that gently rolls over tounge. Nice soft fruit with some high acidity. Lots of balance put into this beer. Really enjoyable.

UPDATED: MAY 30, 2008 [DLD 08] Thanks Funky Brewster! Darker golden with not much of a head. Belgian yeast aroma with sour tart fruits. Intense flavor! Very tart and sweet yet still manages to maintain some of the freshness of the fruits. Vinegar and lactic acid. Lemons, ginger, grapes and berries... this stuff was delicious and completely overshadowed the 05 Panil I brought. Fantastic palate.