Beer Review 41: Russian River Consecration

As you well know I am a big fan of everything Russian River brewery.  The brewers at Russian River just continue to produce solid beer and especially in the wild ale category. Consecration is just that, a sour ale that aged 4 to 6 months on Cabernet oak barrels and then refermented in the bottle to create the nice carbonation this beer possesses. Furthermore, this beer is so well crafted and complex that it really requires a special glass to drink it from to fully enjoy this beverage. I recommend you go with either a tulip glass or Cabernet wine glass, both of these will help nose the beer better and help open it up. Moreover, Consecration like most of the RR sours are a bit pricey, but always worth it in my book. At anywhere from $10.99- $ 14.99 per 375 ml bottle, this beer will make a dent in your wallet, so buy them in moderation. Consecration is bottled at a robust 10% ABV, but when drinking it you will notice its hardly evident. Other notes on this beer: Consecration is now on batch five and that's what I am reviewing, this beer is a good choice to age, this beer pairs well with aged cheeses, and will pair nicely with a lamb dinner. So, if you are a fan of sour beers this one should make its way to your home or seek it out on tap at you local beer bar, you wont be disappointed.

Color: A deep mahogany with shades maroon at the core. Forms a clear bubbly head that disappears quickly. No visual lacing left behind.

Nose: Sourness form the brett and other wild yeast and bacteria used to brew this beer. Dark cherries are evident along side the currants and faint tobacco. Oakiness creeps up toward the end.

Palate: Nicely carbonated makes for an easy drink. The abv is well masked through the beer, hardly noticeable. The dark cherry coat the tongue followed by little waves of oak and tobacco. The currants are not very evident here.

Finish: Long and a tad dry. Crisp with oak and cherry. Complex and drinkable, really well crafted beer with the right amount of sourness.

Rating: 94 out of 100. Not as good as Supplication or Temptation, but extremely solid.