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Home > Brewers > California > Russian River Brewing >

Russian River Temptation

Russian River Temptation

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 Percentile 
99
overall
A Sour Ale brewed by
Russian River Brewing

Santa Rosa, California USA

bottled
common

on tap
available

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 Ratings  Average  Score  Seasonal  ABV  Style Pctl  Serve in  Advanced 
4164.07/5.04.06/5.0Special7.25%90.1 Snifter P  Stats

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 RecentTop RatersHighest Ratings Who's Rated This?
 JCapriotti (1378), Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/105/58/104/516/20

May 26, 2007  
Slightly hazed shadowy gold body. Frothy white head. Bretty bright white grape and amber ale aroma. Flavor is hard to pick out. Nicely soured grapes with fresh fruit and wood. I don’t know... I like it but I chalk it up to another brett beer.

 DA (2376), Portland, Oregon City, Oregon, USA
4.4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/105/58/105/518/20
Aug 16, 2008  
Batch 1 and 2 side by side. Both very good, funky and sour with a beautiful nose. Hints of citrus and woodiness throughout. Batch 1 was a touch softer on the acidity and seemed to have more brett, 2 seemed a touch more sour, maybe due to the acidity. Both were very nice. Thanks to Steve for bringing these out.


 BDR (1862), Roseville, Minnesota, USA
4.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/105/59/105/518/20
Aug 14, 2008  
Damn. I really should be more careful on what I open when I get home from work. A huge foamy bone-white head three fingers tall forms atop this hazy orange beer. Citrus and sour brett on the aroma with a faint lactic character and a hint of wine earthiness. Intensly sour flavor with hints of lemon, grape, cheese, and barnyard funk. A satisfyingly drying mouthfeel yields a long sour aftertaste. Most excellent.


 fishingnet (800), Brandon, Florida, USA
4.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/105/517/20
Aug 10, 2008  
Bottle Batch #3 courtesy tpd975. Pours a slightly hazy golden with a one finger white head that leaves good lacing. Aroma is very vinous and citric with oak and spicy funky brett. Taste is the same as aroma with tons of tart over ripe citrus and funky yeast. Medium mouthfeel with a good amount of spicy brett and acidity and a dry finish. Another damn fine brew from RR.


 douglas88 (708), Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/57/105/516/20
Aug 10, 2008  
Bottle shared generously by Eric, thanks! Pours a cloudy light orange with a explosive and small white head. The aroma is fruity and full of yeast like a BSA but also really tart. Some sour oak notes stand out. The flavor is similar; smooth and tart sour oak, yeast, some citrus and a fairly dry and acidic finish. Very nice. A fizzy and lively moutfeel.


 wickedpete (551), Lexington Park, Maryland, USA
4.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/105/58/104/517/20
Aug 7, 2008  
Pours a pale yellow color with a tall effervescent white head with strong retention. The aroma is close to a fruity white wine, a bit acidic, with tropical fruit notes and a touch of dusty, funky brett. The flavor is lightly sour, a bit vinous, and touch of cheese rind. After a few minutes it really opens up and the tartness as well as the fruit come through. Light on the palate, and warming with alcohol.




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