Russian River Temptation From the Wood

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

Serve in Snifter, Tulip, Tumbler

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Barrel sample from Vinnie at the brewpub in Feb. ’09. Thanks for this treat. Very much like standard Temptation but without carbonation, of course. The main difference is the individual focus of the particular barrel. In this case, a bright, citrusy tartness with a delicious lightly toasted grain finish. Wonderful clean mouthfeel with incredible brightness. Glad to try this.

@ Bottleworks. Murky yellow /brown with no head and no carbonation. Aroma is sour lemon with moldy wet wood. Muddled flavor is mostly acidic vinegar with sour lemon and stale bready malts. Not good.

Firkin pour @ Bottleworks. Still, muddy brown. Zero carbonation. Nose is wet grains, sweaty pedio and brett-like crackers and horseblanket. Light notes of aged/moldy fruit (peaches, apricots) and some old/stale honey. Body has medium thickness, somewhat oily. Acidity is spritzy at times but mostly stale. Not as excited with the result as I was just to try a single-barrel unblended version of what is a great bottle-conditioned beer.