Russian River are one of the USA’s best known craft breweries, infamous for their Pliny the Elder.
I was lucky enough to get my hands on these two beers; Sanctification and Damnation
Damnation is a strong Belgian Golden Ale, it has the classic ester aromas of a Belgian yeast but with a cleansing bitter finish. This beer really balanced the fruity weight of the high notes with the solid hop bitter punch at the end, without which, I find Belgian Ales can become cloying.
Sanctification, an ale dominated by Brettanomyces yeast which had a deep, farmhouse funk on the nose and over the palate.
The Brettanomyces is an aroma instantly recognisable to people familiar with natural wine or traditional ciders.
Malt Mash Boil 