Damnation
Russian River Brewing Company
- From:
- Russian River Brewing Company
- California, United States
- Style:
- Belgian Pale Strong Ale
Ranked #10 - ABV:
- 7.5%
- Score:
- 92
Ranked #6,431 - Avg:
- 4.12 | pDev: 9.95%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 1,196
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Mar 07, 2026
- Added:
- Sep 19, 2003
- Wants:
- 435
- Gots:
- 1,030
SCORE
92
Outstanding
92
Outstanding
Inspired pretty much by Duvel and other strong golden ales of Belgium. It is medium-bodied, has a fruity/banana bouquet, and a dry, spicy finish.
Availability
Pub draft and bottles, local distribution draft and bottles, some draft to some distributors, bottles to all distributors, year-round
Original Gravity: 1.056
Alcohol by Volume: 7.5%
Color: Golden
Bitterness: Mild
Availability
Pub draft and bottles, local distribution draft and bottles, some draft to some distributors, bottles to all distributors, year-round
Original Gravity: 1.056
Alcohol by Volume: 7.5%
Color: Golden
Bitterness: Mild
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by BFCarr:
Rated by BFCarr from New Jersey
4.05/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
4.05/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Had from the bottle. Look and aroma were difficult. Very nice flavors, very Belgian.
Mar 07, 2026More User Ratings:
Reviewed by NickSMpls from Washington
4.11/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.11/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Bottled 7/21/25. Pour is a faintly hazy straw colored beer. Low aroma, just a whiff of spices. Taste is well-layered and develops as you sip and the beer warms a bit. Medium dry, plenty of carbonation. Finish is long and pleasant.
Feb 21, 2026
Reviewed by JohnniEMc from Pennsylvania
4.13/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.13/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
The slightly off-white head was short-lived
Now there's but a film of foam on top of a very bright and nearly translucent light amber colored liquid. This observed in a clear pint glass after the contents were drawn from a tap. Its aroma is definitely of the Belgian style, with plenty of yeast and esters to notice. Thankfully, it doesn't taste like a banana beer and there's a bit of mildly piney hops to enjoy at the finish. Its "Belgian" characteristics are subdued. The body is sufficient and smooth. There's even enough malt presence to provide a layer of moderate sweetness, as well as contributions to the body. The mild taste of the alcohol adds to the complexity of the overall flavor. Surprisingly, beautiful stratified glass lacing can be observed after each withdrawl. This is a solid American Belgian Pale Strong Ale that should be acceptable even to those that don't care for the style.
Jan 04, 2026Now there's but a film of foam on top of a very bright and nearly translucent light amber colored liquid. This observed in a clear pint glass after the contents were drawn from a tap. Its aroma is definitely of the Belgian style, with plenty of yeast and esters to notice. Thankfully, it doesn't taste like a banana beer and there's a bit of mildly piney hops to enjoy at the finish. Its "Belgian" characteristics are subdued. The body is sufficient and smooth. There's even enough malt presence to provide a layer of moderate sweetness, as well as contributions to the body. The mild taste of the alcohol adds to the complexity of the overall flavor. Surprisingly, beautiful stratified glass lacing can be observed after each withdrawl. This is a solid American Belgian Pale Strong Ale that should be acceptable even to those that don't care for the style.
Reviewed by brother_rebus from Maine
4.18/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
4.18/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
This is how a Belgian golden ale (or whatever variation thereof that this is currently recategorized as of each new week around here lol). Think Chimay Green but thinner body and less spice. V good.
Nov 28, 2025
Reviewed by ScaryEd from New Hampshire
3.13/5 rDev -24%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
3.13/5 rDev -24%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
330 ml bottle.
Pours a cloudy amber gold color with a big, frothy off-white head. Average retention. Leaves some thin cobweb lacing along the top of the glass.
The aroma is barely existent. Faint Belgian yeast and grass. Some light banana notes. The foggiest idea of funk. Opens up a bit with a swirl around the glass but just a muted smell all around.
Interesting flavor profile. Belgian yeast, clove, wet grass, cracked pepper, and a wave of bitter hops.
Body is medium. Decent carbonation. Chalky and soft. Extremely dry. Bitterness lingers long past its welcome.
Overall, kind of a disappointing ale. It's far too bitter and the lack of aroma is unfortunate. Not a terrible beer, but not one I'd buy again.
Oct 15, 2025Pours a cloudy amber gold color with a big, frothy off-white head. Average retention. Leaves some thin cobweb lacing along the top of the glass.
The aroma is barely existent. Faint Belgian yeast and grass. Some light banana notes. The foggiest idea of funk. Opens up a bit with a swirl around the glass but just a muted smell all around.
Interesting flavor profile. Belgian yeast, clove, wet grass, cracked pepper, and a wave of bitter hops.
Body is medium. Decent carbonation. Chalky and soft. Extremely dry. Bitterness lingers long past its welcome.
Overall, kind of a disappointing ale. It's far too bitter and the lack of aroma is unfortunate. Not a terrible beer, but not one I'd buy again.
Reviewed by highdesertdrinker from Arizona
4.25/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.25/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours a light, hazy gold with lots of head but at least it didn’t spew. I can smell the funk and yeast immediately upon opening. It reliably hits the notes of a Belgian Blond, yeast, banana, clove, grassy, and a little burn from the alcohol. This drinks bigger than it’s 7.5 abv for sure. A very good American Belgian from a great brewery.
Jul 13, 2025Rated by bi0hazrd1988 from Oregon
3.17/5 rDev -23.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3
3.17/5 rDev -23.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3
Too bitter of a finish for my taste
Jan 04, 2025
Reviewed by ivanbrew from California
5/5 rDev +21.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
5/5 rDev +21.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Go to unique, earthy, smell, beautiful golden color with the white fluffy head tons of carbonation very smooth a little bit of a complex bitter finish with a little bit of sweetness
Dec 07, 2024
Reviewed by Jard0 from California
4.07/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.07/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Been wanting to try this for probably a year now - wherever I go I see the tags but it's always sold out. Now, I finally have my hands on it!
Pours a deep pale yellow with light head. Nose of clove and general Belgian spice. Goes down incredibly smooth with an amazing punch that doesn't overstay its welcome, fading into a noticeable but not-too-harsh bitterness that makes way for another sip. Feels light and easy to drink, but hearty enough to sate you (if that makes any sense)
Kind of disappointed that I don't enjoy this more, but that's not to say that it's a bad drink by any standards. Overall a great beer!
Nov 17, 2024Pours a deep pale yellow with light head. Nose of clove and general Belgian spice. Goes down incredibly smooth with an amazing punch that doesn't overstay its welcome, fading into a noticeable but not-too-harsh bitterness that makes way for another sip. Feels light and easy to drink, but hearty enough to sate you (if that makes any sense)
Kind of disappointed that I don't enjoy this more, but that's not to say that it's a bad drink by any standards. Overall a great beer!
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