Beatification
Russian River Brewing Company

Sent my way as return fire by @Beersnake1 during NBS BIF#16.

Pours a pure golden yellow that's mostly clear, but I wouldn't describe as crisp. The colour, actually, isn't far off from a slightly lighter version of the label. Wet bubbles rise through the liquid, but there's no head, and thus nothing to retain nor leave lacing.

Nose is bright and inviting. Starts off much more on the fruity side rather than the truly funky side (we're getting there, though, don't worry!) with some apple, and like meyer lemon. The apple transitions to a mustiness that gives rise to thoughts of wood, and carries us over to the earthier funkier side with light elements of barnyard and just a kind of tart element.

Flavour is awash with an interesting lead in that I want to give credit again to that meyer lemon-type flavour, then bits of crabapple and wood giving way to the earthy funk again, which presents in a really interesting way that I can only think to describe as, 'open.' I don't know how that works, but where a lot of funky wild ales like this feel tight, compressed, bound up tartness, this feels like the pages spread wide and a more easygoing (but no less pronounced) welcoming earthy funk. The lemon and the funk kind of build together to a pinnacle about 2/3 of the way through that is more in the horse blanket realm and borders on harsh, though the rest of it feels aggressively tart, but in a welcoming manner. The back end takes elements from all of the above, along with a little bit of bleu cheese and faint honey to leave a tart dry finish.

Very fine carbonation sits atop a decidedly funky/tart beer, but one that I wouldn't describe as sharp.

I've had several in the -ation series, and they've all been top notch. This is no exception. Thanks, Tim for sending this along my direction!!

 

PRETTY good for a SOUR

 

 

 

 

375ml cork and cage bottle poured into a teku
Bottled 1/25/22

A- pours a slightly hazy golden color with a one finger foamy white head that reduces immediately. There was very little hiss when opening the cork

S- plenty of yeasty funk on the nose with barnyard Brett, some lacto yogurt notes. Undertones of lemon peel, hay, pear, green apple, oak, white wine

T- slightly tart and funky up front with some earthy Brett barnyard notes. Mid-palate gives some lacto notes, as well as green apple, ripe pear and grass. The barrel emerges at the finish, with oak and vinous white wine. Lingers of green fruits and lemon with just a hint of tartness and funkiness from the yeast

M- medium body with low carbonation, slightly mouthfeel turns slightly creamy into the finish

O- outstanding balance, full flavored and super drinkable

Part of my flight of four at RR's Santa Rosa gastropub, I'm impressed by this rare Wild that I Like.
There could be many reasons for my accolades, but two stand out.
First, this Wild is a controlled Wild. Not many Wilds do that because not many micros have worked at controlling Wilds.
Second, Beatification's flavors met and melded with the food; which in this case was RR's pizza. But I suspect this Wild would have done well with many foods because it was mild, yet alive without an infused yeast. This is what Lambics do. And this is what RR has achieved in Beatification and their many other Wilds that I have not tried.... but probably now should.

 

On tap at RR. Nose is Brett, grass, funk. Lovely. I was thinking it would burn the enamel off my teeth, but was so pleased with the mild sour and funky barnyard vibes. Mild and drinkable (compared to some spontaneous fermentation ales). Seriously loving this.

 

 

 

L - Peach with a thin offwhite head that dissipates quickly, leaving behind no real lacing
S - Citrus, farmhouse brett funk, yeast, earth, oak
T - citrus and farmhouse brett funk, yeast, a good amount of oak on the back end. Slight white white notes on the backend. Earthy, slightly hay-like.
F - medium bodied with high carbonation - crisp
O - A solid farmhouse/wild ale - I tend to prefer wild ales aged on more than oak, but this is still one of the better I've had

Bottled 2012

A: Poured into a Russian River -tion glass to a light amber colored beer which is topped by a very small white head which fades quickly to a collar around the edge of the glass with minimal lacing
S: Smells of honey like sweetness, some oak, white wine, and some tartness on the back end with a hint of funk
T: Taste is quite sour up front before the honey sweetness, oak, and funk come in. There's a pleasant mineral note as well. On the finish there's more minerals and white wine, lingering sourness, oak, and slight chalky yeast with a touch more funk.
M: This beer has a body which is on the lighter side of medium. Carbonation is light and soft, but it's to be expected given the age and corkage. The acidity ensures that this beer has a drying finish.
O: Overall this is a phenomenal beer that has held up incredibly well to the test of time. I'm quite shocked at the level of acidity that this one still brings to bear as most sours I've had around this age have been lacking in acidity. Truly incredible.

Clear golden pour with a sustained white one-finger head. 100% Spontaneous fermentation--a true wild ale. The beer looks clean and simple, but upon first sip you know there's a lot more to this ale than meets the eye. The wave of flavors you experience at every sip is like beautiful choreography. Tart white grapes is the first and most dominant followed by citrus, an earthy funk and lastly a sustained citrus rind finish. Brilliant brewing!

 

Bottled on 04/03/20

Murky golden pour. White ring around the rim of the glass.
Earthy funky aroma. Grassy, citrus, wild, floral.
Taste is amazing, but less than the nose. Wild, tart, citrus, funky, earthy, grassy, floral.
Dry body. Full, tartness lingers.
Wow!