Russian River Brewing Temptation

Beer: Russian River Temptation
Brewery Location: Santa Rosa, CA
Beer Style: American Wild Ale
ABV: 7.25%


Temptation: "Aged in French oak wine barrels for twelve months with distinct characteristics of fruit and subtle oak" sounds more like a description of wine than beer. However, Temptation is indeed beer. Temptation is a Blonde Ale aged in French oak chardonnay barrels with Brettanomyces. Flavors of wine and oak absorb into the brew throughout its aging. Temptation is re-fermented in the bottle to create its carbonation--a process commonly used to make fine champagne and sparkling wine. Spent yeast forms a thin layer of sediment to remain in the bottle.

That paragraph is from Russian River's description of Temptation. I've been looking forward to this beer for a very long time. This beer is called an "American Wild Ale" because of the addition of the Brettanomyces or "Brett" as it is often referred to. Brett is very bad for wine and can be very bad for beer, but in the right hands can be a great thing for beer leaving a citrus/funk/twist to the beer. I've even heard it called "horse blanket" in terms of the flavor it imparts to the beer. Earthy and leathery are usually more associated with Brett. The bottle tells me I can age this beer for four years, but I just couldn't wait.

Temptation pours a hazy yellow with two fingers of head in my tulip glass, and it left patchy lacing on the glass. The earthiness of the Brett comes out full force with a funky sourness with hints of lemons, apples, oranges, and "oaked" chardonnay. (I just made that up, but I mean it smells like chardonnay with an extra oak kick to it). The flavor profile starts out slightly sour with flavors that remind me of granny smith apples, lemons, and unripe cherries. I also get a good dose of chardonnay flavor from the barrel aging. This is so pleasant and the flavors meld very well in the profile. I was still finding new things as I drank the last drop of this beer. The ever changing fruitiness on this beer is my favorite aspect of this beer. There is a great deal of expected carbonation in this beer that leaves a dry sensation on the mouth that is actually quite smooth. The drinkablity for this beer is amazing and I hope I can get some more of this beer.

Overall this was an incredible drinking experience. I know it is beer, but right now is has a great deal of wine characteristics to it. I would really like to get my hands on more and age it for a year or two because I think this beer would only get better. I honestly hope though that it doesn't get any better because I would do despicable things to get more of this beer.

Cheers!
Matt