Russian River Brewing Company Beatification Sour / Wild Ale at 6% ABV (US$19.95 at Russian River Brewing Company, 375 ml, packaged on 15-Feb-2017, acquired 18-Jun-2017, reviewed 20-Jun-2017)
Appearance: hazy straw with one finger of loose white head diminishing gradually to nothing, no lacing. (3/5) Aroma: vinegar, lemons, earthy funk, stone fruit. (8/10) Taste: high tart, moderate sweet, low bitter. (8/10) Light body, moderate-low carbonation, dry tart finish. (4/5)
One of the rarest of Russian River’s offerings (other than Pliny the Younger, I mean), so I’m pretty happy I lucked into this. (In fact, I bought two, and intend to age one for a year or five, just for fun.) It’s… well, it’s something. I’d be the first to admit it’s not as balanced or nuanced as true Belgian Lambic or Gueuze such as e.g. Cantillon. Then again, American IPAs are much more aggressive than the “true” English IPAs, so does that necessarily make them inferior? Yes, there’s an intense acetic character here, but it ends dry and crisp. And, to be honest, I didn’t expect it to be great at such a young age – this review is mostly a baseline, for comparison to its aged twin in a few years. Young and impetuous, with great promise of future development, not unlike myself! (ahem) (16/20)
8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
