Russian RIver Consecration

Russian River Consecration

 

   

 http://www.russianriverbrewing.com/index.html

     This is a big name now a days, at least from looking around in the beer world.  Most reviews for this brewing companie's beer are A's and A+'s.  As far as popularity and rave reviews, this and Dogfish Head Brewing Company are at the forefront, amongst others of course.  I was at a beer bar in Redondo Beach and saw this on the menu and thought I should try a brew from this company.  I'm going to try their brews eventually anyway and it was either this or a bottle sitting in my pantry that seems mediocre, thus I wanted something to excite the palate.  This is a Californian brewing company that started in 1997, according to the website.  If you want more information, go there:  http://www.russianriverbrewing.com/index.html.  The big brew is their IPA, but it seems everything gets high reviews, so the IPA in the forefront may just be me being biased by association.  This is Russian River Consecration, let's begin.

Appearance

      What do you think?  I reviewed this with a friend and the descriptions of color were interesting.  But let's just be straight forward first.  This beer was dark brown and slightly amber.  The color reminded me of grapes or prunes (blech, prunes, don't worry, the taste wasn't prune).  It was opaque but not cloudy and had very minimal carbonation bubbles.  The color was actually eloquent in my eyes and put me in a place of sophistication and prestige.  There was barely any head, that of which was an extremely light caramel color and thick for what its size held.  The retention was somewhat strong, but I can't be too sure because it was filled to the rim and spilled over to top it off instead of filled with the head in mind.  The bartender didn't seem to care too much, maybe I shouldn't either.  Oh, and the "creative" descriptions:  leather color, brown leather.  My friend, Mike, said the color reminded him of the interior of a brown interior Cadillac.  Yeah, I like that, Cadillac; in other words, high class (before the pimps and gangsters took over the Cadillac world).  What does it smell like?

Smell

     The smell was very fruity.  I would liken it to cranberry, cherry, or raspberry--somewhere along those lines.  It had a sweet aroma and floral subtleties and a hint of alcohol (this is a 10 percent beer, so I figured I'd smell that.  Although, maybe I ruined my nose by thinking that).  The aromas were fresh and robust but not thick and verging on overwhelming.  

Taste

     Wow was the first thought.  Not wow like, "oh my god I love this beer," but wow this was a shock.  It shouldn't have been considering the smell but I guess I wasn't thinking.  So far this is the most complex and interesting beer I've tasted thus far.  Strong berry tastes, especially the tangy twinge that one can get from eating a berry.  The tangy taste really holds on in the finish.  The alcoholic taste was there but not an issue that merits dismay.  It actually added to the flavor and complemented the finish.  There was also grape involved in the assembly which added a tiny bit of sour flavor and the aftertaste held a subtle citrus wave goodbye.  This beer is close to wine, in my opinion, but still had that beer ruggedness that I enjoy so much.  I would say this beer tasted like a gold miner that really hit it big--a kind of nouveau riche beer that finally got over flaunting their jewels.  

Mouthfeel

     Not a lot of carbonation, thus, not a lot of bite.  The mouthfeel was similar to wine, even with the dryness.  Not overly dry and not dry while it's in your mouth, but once it goes down, your tongue gets dry.  That was enjoyable to me.  The tangy taste pinches the saliva glands but doesn't make you pucker, which is good because I hate that.   The drink was pretty refreshing but the alcohol reminded you it was a "big boy drink."

Overall

     First off, I have to say this isn't my go-to drink, nor is it something I love and hold dear (like the way I raved about the Dogfish Head brews), but this is a damn good brew.  Luckily, I wrote this review a day after I tasted it, you know, to think about it.  At first I would've said I didn't like it but maybe someone else would.  But I had to be more objective, for you, you know.  And after much contemplation, this is really a brewing wonder.  The complexities of this drink really got my mind going and the appearance and smell are awe inspiring to the senses, if only the senses!   Mike said "this is a good girl drink."  I have to agree, but in the sense that by 'girl' we don't mean female, and not in a derogatory way either, but in a newbie to beer way.  No, maybe that's wrong as well.  This drink is for everyone.  The subjectivity of tasting shows itself when I say what beers I like and compare that to this beer.  I just like strong, rough, wheat, barley, and hops beers.  I guess I'm new to the fruits in beers thing, especially when they're as complex as this beer.  So, overall, this beer is amazing.  As a beer drinker, I like it but I'd pass, but as a reviewer of beer, this is a wonder that everyone should try at least once and I guarantee a B rating and above.   Rich, sophisticated, elegant, all adjectives I would use to describe this brew.  Consecration is  apt  for this particular beer--it is a contender for the pantheon of beers, and is a trophy of dedication.

Afterthought

     American Wild Ale you ask?  Basically, it is an ale introduced to, as the site says, "wild" yeast of bacteria.  The rest of the paragraph describing this type of ale practically exclaims "absolutely American inventiveness."  I love that.  I love that the U.S is becoming a beer empire.  It's about time, especially how much we as Americans drink beer (and because I live here and love beer).  So now you done your learnin'.  Go drink with friends and enjoy life!