Sanctification
Russian River Brewing Company

SanctificationSanctification
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From:
Russian River Brewing Company
 
California, United States
Style:
Brett Beer
Ranked #3
ABV:
4.8%
Score:
96
Ranked #957
Avg:
4.33 | pDev: 8.78%
Reviews:
664
Ratings:
2,858
Status:
Active
Rated:
May 06, 2023
Added:
Oct 27, 2004
Wants:
  1,174
Gots:
  870
SCORE
96
World-Class
SanctificationSanctification
Notes: Who’s afraid of the "big bad BRETT?" We’ll tell you who: winemakers! Because of our close proximity to several hundred wineries, we often get winemakers visiting our brewery. (After all, it takes a lot of great beer to make great wine!) Because we use 100% Brettanomyces yeast to ferment Sanctification, most winemakers will only smell the glass, and only a very few will venture to taste the beer. They think the Brettanomyces will attach to their clothing and end up in their winery. A simple solution was offered: keep a smudge pot burning at the door of our brewery so they can burn their clothes when exiting, but even that was not enough. After giving it more thought, we concluded that winemakers think Brettanomyces might scar their taste buds and possible even permeate their skin? Either way, Sanctification is one of the most unique beers you will ever taste! It was fermented with 100% Brettanomyces, rather than the traditional Saccharomyces.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 3.79 by gbiello from Massachusetts

May 06, 2023
 
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Reviewed by Sludgeman from District of Columbia

4.4/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
From a 375 ml bottle for $20 (pricey) at Monks in Philly. Poured into a tulip-like glass. Bottled on 090517

In my opinion more sour than Brett. Straddling the line. 4.25

A - Pours a clear very pale golden yellow with an almost zero head, which faded quickly to just a thin constant ring around the glass. 4.25

S – Brett aromas with some minor funk and a good amount of stomach acid sourness. Minor citrus notes. 4.25

T - Tart but not overly sour or mouth puckering. Faint sweetness when coupled with the tartness reminds me of an oddly carbonated lemonade. No metallic or minerally feel like I get in some sours. 4.5

MF - Medium light body with a dry tart finish. 4.75
Mar 18, 2023
Photo of jmdrpi
Reviewed by jmdrpi from Pennsylvania

4.24/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
375 ml bottle, corked and caged. Dated bottled "010919" so assuming January 2019

Pours a crystal clear light golden in color, the picture looks more hazy because it's humid and there was instant condensation. Bight pillowy head that condenses down to a thin cap, but great head retention, and leaves rings of lacing on the glass. Bright slightly tart lemon aroma, a touch of grassy funk. Taste starts with crackery pale malt, in the middle hits some floral and citrus notes, then finishes quite dry. Thinner bodied, effervescent lively carbonation. Overall very nice, seems deserving of it's #3 spot on the Top Rated list of Brett Beers.
Aug 29, 2022
 
Rated: 4.08 by beefbucket from Missouri

Jul 13, 2022
 
Rated: 4.41 by saymike32 from New Jersey

Jun 17, 2022
 
Rated: 4.39 by kleinahoe from California

Apr 21, 2022
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Reviewed by pthoolihan from Pennsylvania

4.11/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Pours clear with a lot of bubbles, a 2 finger head. Smells rich, like it’s aged in wine barrels. Tastes like Carbonated dry with a little bitterness. Dry feel, more dry than a Chardonnay.
Apr 13, 2022
Photo of HipCzech
Reviewed by HipCzech from California

4.32/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Serving: 375 ml bottle (“bottled on: 090721”) poured into a Spiegelau beer tulip.

Appearance: Slightly hazy straw yellow with a sudsy cap of white foam and faint lace.

Smell: Yeasty pizza dough, wet wool, citrus blossoms.

Taste: Crisp, light, dry and delicate with farmyard funk, minerals, spice and a light acidity.

Mouthfeel: Light body and gentle but lively carbonation.

Overall: Complex yet restrained, dry and refreshing with some nice nuance.
Mar 31, 2022
 
Rated: 4.07 by not2quick from Missouri

Mar 31, 2022
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Rated by gefinley from California

4.21/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Bottled 9/7/21.
Jan 23, 2022
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Rated by DucksFan16 from Tennessee

4.3/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Bottled on 09/05/2017. Enjoyed on 11/06/221.
Nov 06, 2021
 
Rated: 4 by TedStrosser from Pennsylvania

Nov 06, 2021
Photo of thebeers
Reviewed by thebeers from Pennsylvania

3.84/5  rDev -11.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a clear golden straw color with a massive, airy, semi-rocky white head that’s fairly quick to dissipate and leaves soap bubble lacing.

Fairly dry, woody aroma with maybe an underlying hint of clove.

Super clean taste. A little wood, a little clay, very dry finish. Very, very faint hints fruitiness peak through at various points in the form lemon and grape, but overall, the taste exudes clarity and dryness.

Light bodied and bubbly, effervescent feel.

Well crafted, but a little too clean for my taste, especially when drank next to other Russian River offerings.
Oct 02, 2021
Photo of sjrider
Reviewed by sjrider from California

4.12/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Poured from a bottle- almost clear pale gold straw color with long lasting white foamy head. Nose is funky with whiffs of fruit and wet hay. Taste follows with a funky briney tartness. Finishes almost dry.
Apr 11, 2021
 
Rated: 4.35 by Rothobinide from California

Mar 22, 2021
 
Rated: 4.29 by DOCRW from Washington

Mar 18, 2021
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Reviewed by Awolter from Minnesota

4.71/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
This beer was very enjoyable. Soft carbonation, nice amount of tartness with sweet to make it very well balanced. Very refreshing. If you ever see this on the shelves, grab one.
Feb 16, 2021
 
Rated: 4.5 by mrmsmith from District of Columbia

Feb 10, 2021
 
Rated: 3.98 by eshooshoo from California

Feb 05, 2021
 
Rated: 4.29 by jbdpsu82 from Pennsylvania

Feb 05, 2021
 
Rated: 4.18 by socon67 from New York

Aug 31, 2020
Photo of Siriusfisherman
Reviewed by Siriusfisherman from Vermont

4.46/5  rDev +3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
L: Slightly hazy golden with a thin, wispy head and no lacing.

S: Classic barnyard funk (and I know now that I worked on a farm) with some pineapple, lemon and bready malt.

T: Very tart upfront, moves into funky pineapple, lemon flavors and a very nice round malt character. Excellent.

F: Very crisp and dry.

Overall: A superb ale, so drinkable and flavorful. This is definitely one of my favorite Russian River beers and I highly recommend you try it.
Aug 30, 2020
 
Rated: 4.09 by InfernoBoss from California

Aug 09, 2020
 
Rated: 4.68 by Bilco from Pennsylvania

Jul 29, 2020
 
Rated: 4.2 by eagles22 from Pennsylvania

Jun 23, 2020
 
Rated: 5 by TallGuyCM from California

Jun 15, 2020
Photo of Gatch
Reviewed by Gatch from Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Bottled 02/21/19, held up well without any spillage and full carbonation upon uncorking. This is a Brett bomb! Stellar aromas and flavors of funk, barn, hay, earth, bright fruit, meadow, all that good stuff you want in a wild yeast. Dry, almost tart finish, super drinkable, and a low ABV%, what’s not to love? It’s a masterpiece!
May 10, 2020
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Rated by rtaps from California

3.5/5  rDev -19.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
.....
Apr 24, 2020
Photo of rudysmash
Rated by rudysmash from California

4.54/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Lighter beer. Loved it.
Apr 20, 2020
 
Rated: 4.43 by paresis from Massachusetts

Apr 14, 2020
 
Rated: 4.25 by csmrx7 from Canada (AB)

Mar 17, 2020
 
Rated: 5 by NickThePyro from Washington

Mar 13, 2020
 
Rated: 4.49 by Wisconsin_IPA_Lover from Wisconsin

Mar 06, 2020
 
Rated: 4.27 by jason_nwx from Oregon

Feb 26, 2020
 
Rated: 1.7 by gboley from California

Feb 23, 2020
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Rated by OompaMentor from Georgia

4.5/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4/21/2019 - Golden color with nice carbonation. Dry, yet crisp semi tart feel on palate. Really good beer brewed in the wine country!
Feb 05, 2020
 
Rated: 4.3 by ragnar3 from Iowa

Jan 03, 2020
 
Rated: 4.06 by wc94wc from California

Jan 02, 2020
Sanctification from Russian River Brewing Company
Beer rating: 96 out of 100 with 2858 ratings