Desperation
Russian River Brewing Company

 

 

I had this beer on tap at the 12 Hour Belgian Beer Party at Pizza Port in Carlsbad, CA. According to the Russian River website, this beer is a blend of 60% Mother of All Beers (base beer to Pizza Port's Cuvee du Tomme) & 40% 6 month old Temptation.

Appearance: Golden brown color wih an orange tint and big fluffy head.

Smell: Somewhat roasty and sweet witha very faint smell of soy sauce.

Taste: Roasty and sweet with nice, complex flavors. There is a distinct nuttiness like cashew nuts along with dried fruits and cherry. There are also some woody flavors in there, perhaps from the Temptation being aged in oak barrels. There is a definate alcohol warmth that hits clean up on this beer. A very slight touch of yeasty sweetness pops up as the other flavors clear.

Mouthfeel: Clean and warm and quite pleasant on the palate. No haywire flavors that bite into the mouth but all smooth and well balanced.

Drinkability: The fruity character makes it seem somewhat like a lambic or a quadruppel. I think the blend gives the beer the complexity of exceptional flavors. Not all the great characterisitics of each beer come through, but it definately a great combo. I would love to have another glass of this beer.