Damnation
Russian River Brewing Company

Had from the bottle. Look and aroma were difficult. Very nice flavors, very Belgian.

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.

 

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.

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Too bitter of a finish for my taste

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

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!