Sonoma Pride Dauenhauer
Russian River Brewing Company
Beer Geek Stats:
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- Style:
- American Wild Ale
Ranked #1,486 - ABV:
- 6%
- Score:
- 87
Ranked #21,579 - Avg:
- 3.83 | pDev: 10.18%
- Reviews:
- 18
- Ratings:
- From:
- Russian River Brewing Company
- California, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating
- Wants
- 7
- Gots
- 27
SCORE
87
Very Good
87
Very Good
Notes:
Brewed and bottled to a moderate strength of 6% ABV, Dauenhauer is a copper colored well hopped domesticated wild ale (but not an IPA). Compared to its more delicate sister beer Amasa, Dauenhauer is darker and exhibits more hop character in both the aroma and flavor. It can be consumed now, or aged. The use of Brettanomyces yeast in the bottle conditioning process lends a rustic characteristic to the beer. If aged, many of the unique yeast qualities in the beer will become even more evident.
Reviews: 18
| Ratings: 146
4/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: Pours a slightly hazy golden color with a thick head; a few shards of lacing are produced
Smell: Bready and slightly funky, with a hint of the biscuit and perhaps a touch of pear
Taste: Funky at the outset, with pear and bready flavors underpinning; some musty bitterness, after the swallow, and a dry finish
Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate to high carbonaiton
Overall: Bottled on 10/15/13, this beer has held together reasonably well, and the Brett has done its job
Thanks, pagesofphotographs, for the opportunity
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: Pours a slightly hazy golden color with a thick head; a few shards of lacing are produced
Smell: Bready and slightly funky, with a hint of the biscuit and perhaps a touch of pear
Taste: Funky at the outset, with pear and bready flavors underpinning; some musty bitterness, after the swallow, and a dry finish
Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate to high carbonaiton
Overall: Bottled on 10/15/13, this beer has held together reasonably well, and the Brett has done its job
Thanks, pagesofphotographs, for the opportunity
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4.25/5 rDev +11%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25
Pours a hazy, maize color. 1/4 inch head of a white color. Great retention and great lacing. Smells of alcohol, bacterial funk, yeast, slight grass, herbs, hops, sweet malt, and a hint of oatmeal. Fits the style of an American Wild Ale. Mouth feel is sharp and crisp, with an average carbonation level. Tastes of alcohol, bacterial funk, yeast, slight grass, herbs, hops, and sweet malt. Overall, a little too sweet, but good appearance, aroma, blend, and complexity.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25
Pours a hazy, maize color. 1/4 inch head of a white color. Great retention and great lacing. Smells of alcohol, bacterial funk, yeast, slight grass, herbs, hops, sweet malt, and a hint of oatmeal. Fits the style of an American Wild Ale. Mouth feel is sharp and crisp, with an average carbonation level. Tastes of alcohol, bacterial funk, yeast, slight grass, herbs, hops, and sweet malt. Overall, a little too sweet, but good appearance, aroma, blend, and complexity.
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3.96/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
A: golden to strW yellow. Thick loose white bubbles
S:funk. Cider. Bread. Brett. Subtle hops
T: flowers. Bread. Bitter hops some sour funk. Some tart apples
F: creamy but a crisp bite. Medium body
O: tasty and original. Interesting. Worth a go
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
A: golden to strW yellow. Thick loose white bubbles
S:funk. Cider. Bread. Brett. Subtle hops
T: flowers. Bread. Bitter hops some sour funk. Some tart apples
F: creamy but a crisp bite. Medium body
O: tasty and original. Interesting. Worth a go
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3.94/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This pour from a bottle dated 6/3/15 and was well chilled. It poured a hazy light yellow orange color. The nose does contain some of the funk from the yeast in this beer but the hops are also present. The taste is also from the type of yeast used in this blend but a nice smooth beer has come from this blend. It took most of the bottle to grow on me but in all this is a really good beer.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This pour from a bottle dated 6/3/15 and was well chilled. It poured a hazy light yellow orange color. The nose does contain some of the funk from the yeast in this beer but the hops are also present. The taste is also from the type of yeast used in this blend but a nice smooth beer has come from this blend. It took most of the bottle to grow on me but in all this is a really good beer.
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4.19/5 rDev +9.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
bottled 6/3. drank in wine glass.
healthy consistent foam, thick lacing, cloudy as hell with moderate sediment.
get the sour nose off the bat, and that first taste pulled my tongue out of my mouth, showed it to me, and then slapped me upside the head with it.
however, it really mellowed out as it warmed. tart with little sour after awhile, very fruity, creamy, and zesty.
does Russian River make a bad beer?
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
bottled 6/3. drank in wine glass.
healthy consistent foam, thick lacing, cloudy as hell with moderate sediment.
get the sour nose off the bat, and that first taste pulled my tongue out of my mouth, showed it to me, and then slapped me upside the head with it.
however, it really mellowed out as it warmed. tart with little sour after awhile, very fruity, creamy, and zesty.
does Russian River make a bad beer?
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4/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A little more body and heft that Amasa, still quite Brett forward, simple, rustic. It's not a bad beer, but I'd prefer most of the -tion line, to be honest.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A little more body and heft that Amasa, still quite Brett forward, simple, rustic. It's not a bad beer, but I'd prefer most of the -tion line, to be honest.
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4.07/5 rDev +6.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Nice hoppy brett beer.
Nose: citrus notes of orange and lemon. Floral. Earthy brett dust like character. hints of green grass, pine, and hay.
Taste: leather. orange rind, lemon zest. cracker malt. Wheat. funky floral notes. Hay.
Feel: medium to full mouthfeel, with prickly carb. Drinks easy.
Really enjoyed this take on a hoppy brett beer from RR. cheers
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Nice hoppy brett beer.
Nose: citrus notes of orange and lemon. Floral. Earthy brett dust like character. hints of green grass, pine, and hay.
Taste: leather. orange rind, lemon zest. cracker malt. Wheat. funky floral notes. Hay.
Feel: medium to full mouthfeel, with prickly carb. Drinks easy.
Really enjoyed this take on a hoppy brett beer from RR. cheers
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4.51/5 rDev +17.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
This pours a light golden color in the tulip. There's a great aroma that has a bit of funky oak and white wine notes, like a lightly grape scent. The flavor is gently funky, with a light tart estery note that gives it great depth and character. I liked it.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
This pours a light golden color in the tulip. There's a great aroma that has a bit of funky oak and white wine notes, like a lightly grape scent. The flavor is gently funky, with a light tart estery note that gives it great depth and character. I liked it.
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3.6/5 rDev -6%
A-Semi cloudy orange, not much carbonation, two finger head that doesn't last.
S-some hops, a lemon/orange not much funk, good bit of wheat though.
T-Rather wheat heavy, some orange and lemon. Too much wheat, not enough funk or balance.
M-Medium bodied with nice carbonation.
O-A rare miss by Russian River.
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A-Semi cloudy orange, not much carbonation, two finger head that doesn't last.
S-some hops, a lemon/orange not much funk, good bit of wheat though.
T-Rather wheat heavy, some orange and lemon. Too much wheat, not enough funk or balance.
M-Medium bodied with nice carbonation.
O-A rare miss by Russian River.
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3.9/5 rDev +1.8%
Pour is a mostly transparent golden amber with a fair bit of tight white head. Nose is soapy hop, light grainy cracker, some dusty leathery brett, notes of pineapple and tropical fruits. Flavor is even fruity, notes of bread crust up front, loads of pineapple, very clean and rich, moderate bretty presence, faint soapiness, hints of leather. Light body, well carbonated, soft crisp feel.
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Pour is a mostly transparent golden amber with a fair bit of tight white head. Nose is soapy hop, light grainy cracker, some dusty leathery brett, notes of pineapple and tropical fruits. Flavor is even fruity, notes of bread crust up front, loads of pineapple, very clean and rich, moderate bretty presence, faint soapiness, hints of leather. Light body, well carbonated, soft crisp feel.
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3.64/5 rDev -5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
From a bottle, pours a cloudy gold color with a very thin and boring head.
The aroma is dusty funk, citrus, brett, lactic acid, cracker. The flavor is similar with a good tart funk, a little berry, hay, straw, earthy brett flavors. The mouthfeel is a bit thin, but otherwise this is good, not great or on par with their other wild ales by any means, but a unique brew.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
From a bottle, pours a cloudy gold color with a very thin and boring head.
The aroma is dusty funk, citrus, brett, lactic acid, cracker. The flavor is similar with a good tart funk, a little berry, hay, straw, earthy brett flavors. The mouthfeel is a bit thin, but otherwise this is good, not great or on par with their other wild ales by any means, but a unique brew.
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4.43/5 rDev +15.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
even though the other one is more delicate, and i enjoy that about it, i prefer this sturdier wild ale. its got a more flavorful grain base, more wheat sweetness and body, and the carbonation doesnt lighten it up too much, even though it is rather dramatic. i get some european type hops on the nose, but its just a little bitter in the flavor, not so much grassy or spicy like some of the noble region varietals often are. the brett is equally mild as it is in the other beer in this series, but its got more work to do here and as a result seems to impact the flavor of the beer a little more than it does in the other one. its not quite as dry either, allowing the hop character to be more evident towards the finish. i love the brett, but its mild nature is unfamiliar, i am used to it being such a huge influence, rather than this subtle funk. less saison-like, more wild ale than the other one, but still somewhere in between the norms. i love the project, think its a great thing to showcase the local agriculture like this, and hope they continue it in summers to come. i cant believe these beers are rated as poorly as they are, this were both stunning specimens of craftsmanship and downright delicious. highly recommended.
edit: just had this one over two years old and wow! even drier and more interesting before, a great wild and almost belgian yeast element has developed even more, and the hops have somehow held up. if you were risky enough to squirrel one away, bust it out, its tasting insanely good right now! yum!
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
even though the other one is more delicate, and i enjoy that about it, i prefer this sturdier wild ale. its got a more flavorful grain base, more wheat sweetness and body, and the carbonation doesnt lighten it up too much, even though it is rather dramatic. i get some european type hops on the nose, but its just a little bitter in the flavor, not so much grassy or spicy like some of the noble region varietals often are. the brett is equally mild as it is in the other beer in this series, but its got more work to do here and as a result seems to impact the flavor of the beer a little more than it does in the other one. its not quite as dry either, allowing the hop character to be more evident towards the finish. i love the brett, but its mild nature is unfamiliar, i am used to it being such a huge influence, rather than this subtle funk. less saison-like, more wild ale than the other one, but still somewhere in between the norms. i love the project, think its a great thing to showcase the local agriculture like this, and hope they continue it in summers to come. i cant believe these beers are rated as poorly as they are, this were both stunning specimens of craftsmanship and downright delicious. highly recommended.
edit: just had this one over two years old and wow! even drier and more interesting before, a great wild and almost belgian yeast element has developed even more, and the hops have somehow held up. if you were risky enough to squirrel one away, bust it out, its tasting insanely good right now! yum!
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3.95/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
510ml bottle into matching Sonoma Pride glass.
A: Pours a clear medium-golden color with a couple fingers of dense and fluffy off-white head. Head slowly collapsed into a very dense and rocky film.
S: Spicy, earthy, funky brett mixes well with hints of citrus hops and a faint touch of sweet tropical fruit. Yeast dominates, peppery and earthy overall with just a hint of stone fruits.
T: Follows the nose: brett, earthy, peppery, with slight citrus. The finish is full of pale crackery malt and a touch of sweet tropical fruit juice, and the aftertaste is funky, drying and crisp.
M: Medium body, soft, fluffy, normal carbonation, with a smooth a fluffy mouthfeel. Very drinkable, slightly frothy.
O: A solid beer, easy to drink, mild in flavor, nice earthy brett funk. Doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but I enjoyed this and would drink it again.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
510ml bottle into matching Sonoma Pride glass.
A: Pours a clear medium-golden color with a couple fingers of dense and fluffy off-white head. Head slowly collapsed into a very dense and rocky film.
S: Spicy, earthy, funky brett mixes well with hints of citrus hops and a faint touch of sweet tropical fruit. Yeast dominates, peppery and earthy overall with just a hint of stone fruits.
T: Follows the nose: brett, earthy, peppery, with slight citrus. The finish is full of pale crackery malt and a touch of sweet tropical fruit juice, and the aftertaste is funky, drying and crisp.
M: Medium body, soft, fluffy, normal carbonation, with a smooth a fluffy mouthfeel. Very drinkable, slightly frothy.
O: A solid beer, easy to drink, mild in flavor, nice earthy brett funk. Doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but I enjoyed this and would drink it again.
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3.5/5 rDev -8.6%
500 mL bottle poured into a snifter.
Appearance - Pale orange, pretty much yellow, body. Big white head. Never quite settles.
Smell - Brett. Very funky. Earthy hops and a light citrus. Pale malt.
Taste - Very earthy. Less citrus. More brett and pale malt, but no sweetness. Mild bitterness.
Mouthfeel - High carbonation. Drinkable. Mildly bitter.
Overall - Not the most interesting beer. I thought it would be more exciting. Nonetheless, it's a well made beer and it shows.
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500 mL bottle poured into a snifter.
Appearance - Pale orange, pretty much yellow, body. Big white head. Never quite settles.
Smell - Brett. Very funky. Earthy hops and a light citrus. Pale malt.
Taste - Very earthy. Less citrus. More brett and pale malt, but no sweetness. Mild bitterness.
Mouthfeel - High carbonation. Drinkable. Mildly bitter.
Overall - Not the most interesting beer. I thought it would be more exciting. Nonetheless, it's a well made beer and it shows.
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4.11/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
I'm so excited to have gotten my hands on the inaugural batch of this brew!
One bottle dated 10/15/13 poured into a narrow-mouthed snifter.
A: Golden and crystal clear with a thick, frothy, head and a bit of particulate matter from the Brett in bottle.
S: The Brett is very prominent on the nose with plenty of spicy yet tropical notes present as well.
T: Brett, Brett, Brett! A little tart at the start, this beer opens up nicely and develops a great depth of flavor that lingers for a good long while. Notes of hay, grass, and cloves are the most prominent to my pallet.
M: Lots of carbonation and plenty of body help develop the complexity of this brew.
O: If you can get your hands on a bottle of this beer, I highly recommend that you do so. This is an exciting new project from Vinnie over at Russian River and I'm excited to see how it plays out. Better yet, If you can get your hands on a couple of bottles, enjoy one now and sock one away for a couple of years to see how the flavor develops!
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look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
I'm so excited to have gotten my hands on the inaugural batch of this brew!
One bottle dated 10/15/13 poured into a narrow-mouthed snifter.
A: Golden and crystal clear with a thick, frothy, head and a bit of particulate matter from the Brett in bottle.
S: The Brett is very prominent on the nose with plenty of spicy yet tropical notes present as well.
T: Brett, Brett, Brett! A little tart at the start, this beer opens up nicely and develops a great depth of flavor that lingers for a good long while. Notes of hay, grass, and cloves are the most prominent to my pallet.
M: Lots of carbonation and plenty of body help develop the complexity of this brew.
O: If you can get your hands on a bottle of this beer, I highly recommend that you do so. This is an exciting new project from Vinnie over at Russian River and I'm excited to see how it plays out. Better yet, If you can get your hands on a couple of bottles, enjoy one now and sock one away for a couple of years to see how the flavor develops!
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4.17/5 rDev +8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Bottle from the brewery. Batch 1, 15 Oct 2013.
A brilliantly clear Golden orange with a thick , off white head with excellent retention and gorgeous lacing. Beautiful. The nose is great. Bright, Brett heavy fruit with tropical fruit notes dominant along with a blend of clove, a little plastic and some earth. A brilliantly pure expression of Brett. A little honey, cotton candy and floral character is present.
The palate opens bright and Brett heavy with a blend of tropical fruit, spices - clove pepper and a little fennel - a touch of plastic and a little malt. Honey, mild toffee, a hint of burnt sugar are present. Drying on the finish with a moderate spicy bitterness, this beer leaves flavors of fruit and botanicals on the finish. Highly carbonated, this beer is medium light in body and a treat on the palate. Refined stuff, better than I was expecting. Probably the purest expression of Brett I've had from an American brewer.
**25 Jan 2015**
The nose has fallen off significantly, lacking in complexity, rather dull and limp but for the Brett spices and rustic notes. Earth, dust and a lemony hop character are present. Palate is light, mildly watery with honey, melon and spice. Decent (3/3/3.5)
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Bottle from the brewery. Batch 1, 15 Oct 2013.
A brilliantly clear Golden orange with a thick , off white head with excellent retention and gorgeous lacing. Beautiful. The nose is great. Bright, Brett heavy fruit with tropical fruit notes dominant along with a blend of clove, a little plastic and some earth. A brilliantly pure expression of Brett. A little honey, cotton candy and floral character is present.
The palate opens bright and Brett heavy with a blend of tropical fruit, spices - clove pepper and a little fennel - a touch of plastic and a little malt. Honey, mild toffee, a hint of burnt sugar are present. Drying on the finish with a moderate spicy bitterness, this beer leaves flavors of fruit and botanicals on the finish. Highly carbonated, this beer is medium light in body and a treat on the palate. Refined stuff, better than I was expecting. Probably the purest expression of Brett I've had from an American brewer.
**25 Jan 2015**
The nose has fallen off significantly, lacking in complexity, rather dull and limp but for the Brett spices and rustic notes. Earth, dust and a lemony hop character are present. Palate is light, mildly watery with honey, melon and spice. Decent (3/3/3.5)
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4.09/5 rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Pours a light copper color with a medium to large white bread. Some lacing, ok retention. Fairly cloudy. Bitter stone fruit flavors. Peach and apricot skins. Lots of brett, which accounts for most of that fruity flavor. Fairly dry. Some nice fresh malt flavor with a touch of earthy caramel sweetness. Lots of fruit. Moderately bitter yeastiness. Light mouthfeel, definitely fuller than the other Sonoma Pride beer. Nice beer, lots of brett, some malt character.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Pours a light copper color with a medium to large white bread. Some lacing, ok retention. Fairly cloudy. Bitter stone fruit flavors. Peach and apricot skins. Lots of brett, which accounts for most of that fruity flavor. Fairly dry. Some nice fresh malt flavor with a touch of earthy caramel sweetness. Lots of fruit. Moderately bitter yeastiness. Light mouthfeel, definitely fuller than the other Sonoma Pride beer. Nice beer, lots of brett, some malt character.
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4.39/5 rDev +14.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
Bottle into Sonoma Pride stem.
Appearance is a gorgeous orange gold with soapy white head that leaves a nice coating on the sides of the glass. Clear body and really pretty to look at.
Aroma is peach, navel orange, nectarine, dried pineapple, slightly doughy malt, and a faint spruce like Hoppiness. Similar to Amasa but a bit brighter and juicier.
Taste is super clean and less Brett forward than Amasa. Still plenty of Brett yeast esters giving off banana, bread dough, and succulent leafy greens. An evident hop bitterness is well present lending some balance to the heavier malt body of this one. Lemon, nectarine, and pepper undertones throughout the palate. A very well rounded flavor profile between hops, malt, and brettanomyces.
Mouthfeel delivers a lighter body with perfect carbonation level for the style. Bubbly, almost effervescent and certainly a silky feel to the carb. Dry finish with a low medium level of bitterness. Sports some IBU's but not in an IPA kind of way.
Another masterfully crafted ale by Vinnie. Again, like Amasa, this isn't over the top or fancy, just plain delicious and extremely easy to drink. I see myself as being able to down this all day at a tailgate or barbecue. The Brett is so well played into the rest of the beer that at times you forget about it and focus on the hops or malt bill, and vice versa. Very appropriately priced for a Brett beer as well. Thanks Russian River.
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
Bottle into Sonoma Pride stem.
Appearance is a gorgeous orange gold with soapy white head that leaves a nice coating on the sides of the glass. Clear body and really pretty to look at.
Aroma is peach, navel orange, nectarine, dried pineapple, slightly doughy malt, and a faint spruce like Hoppiness. Similar to Amasa but a bit brighter and juicier.
Taste is super clean and less Brett forward than Amasa. Still plenty of Brett yeast esters giving off banana, bread dough, and succulent leafy greens. An evident hop bitterness is well present lending some balance to the heavier malt body of this one. Lemon, nectarine, and pepper undertones throughout the palate. A very well rounded flavor profile between hops, malt, and brettanomyces.
Mouthfeel delivers a lighter body with perfect carbonation level for the style. Bubbly, almost effervescent and certainly a silky feel to the carb. Dry finish with a low medium level of bitterness. Sports some IBU's but not in an IPA kind of way.
Another masterfully crafted ale by Vinnie. Again, like Amasa, this isn't over the top or fancy, just plain delicious and extremely easy to drink. I see myself as being able to down this all day at a tailgate or barbecue. The Brett is so well played into the rest of the beer that at times you forget about it and focus on the hops or malt bill, and vice versa. Very appropriately priced for a Brett beer as well. Thanks Russian River.
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Sonoma Pride Dauenhauer from Russian River Brewing Company
Beer rating:
87 out of
100 with
146 ratings
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