Russian River Pliny the Elder

Reviewed By: Herr Rick
Style: Double/Imperial IPA
State/Country: California
ABV: 8%
Serving Type: On Tap @ Monk's Cafe

Look: 10
Deep golden color, clear, with a think head and excellent lacing

Smell: 10
A citrus hop ASSAULT!!! Sweet malt. Incredibly floral. The freshest smelling beer ever - ahhhhhhh

Taste: 9.5
Up Front: Tropical fruit, sweet malt. Finish: Hops balance out the the sweetness

Mouthfeel: 9.5
Medium body, creamy & smooth, and perfectly balanced

Drinkability: 10
Ridiculously crisp and refreshing

Overall Score: 9.8

Value: 9.5
Cost/12 oz serving: $7.00

Overall Impression:
It appears that I saved the best review for last amidst the Chaos at Monk's Cafe. Although Pliny the Younger is considered by many to be the best Double IPA on the planet, I feel that Elder was better, or at least more in line with my palate. Double IPA is my favorite year-round style, and this is without a doubt the best one I've ever had!!! I wish I could have had more, but I was fading fast. I think I may have to move to California...within walking distance of Russian River Brewing Co

Russian River Pliny the Younger

Reviewed By: Herr Rick
Style: Double/Imperial IPA
State/Country: California
ABV: 11%
Serving Type: On Tap @ Monk's Cafe


Look: 9.5
Deep golden, slightly amber color, clear, with a medium head and great lacing

Smell: 9.5
Powerful citrus & pine hops, malt, caramel and toffee

Taste: 10
Up Front: Grapefruit, then pineapple, then apricot. Finish: Malt, with hops picking up steam along the way

Mouthfeel: 9.5
Medium body, incredibly smooth, balanced, and a stickiness that coats the tongue and palate

Drinkability: 10
Alcohol is well hidden, and it's uber-drinkable!

Overall Score: 9.7

Value: 9
Cost/12 oz serving: $8.40 - $7 for a 10 oz glass. That plus tip, a parking ticket, and 4 other beers from Russian River, and I still think it was worth it!!!

Overall Impression:
This is the most hyped beer on the planet at this time. With all the hype surrounding this beer I was concerned that I might be underwhelmed. I was not, and the hype is warranted. However, this turned out to be my 2nd favorite Double IPA of the day (I preferred Pliny the Elder), and my 3rd favorite of all time. Simply amazing! Too bad only 2 sixtels were sent to PA, and now we have to wait for next year to have another opportunity to enjoy it.

Russian River Consecration

Reviewed By: Herr Rick
Style: American Brett Ale (Barrel Aged)
State/Country: California
ABV: 10%
Serving Type: On Tap @ Monk's Cafe

Look: 9
Deep crimson, slight haze, thin head with little lacing

Smell: 10
Brett funk, dark fruit, caramel, oak, and malt

Taste: 10
Up Front: Lemon zest, white grape, malt. Finish: brett funk, oak at the end

Mouthfeel: 10
Medium body with a light/medium carbonation. It got even creamier as it warmed up!

Drinkability: 10
Tart, incredibly smooth, and refreshing! Does not get more drinakble than this?

Overall Score: 9.8

Value: 8
Cost/12 oz serving: $8.40 - $7 for a 10oz glass, but I would have paid $10. Then again, with tip included I did - haha

Overall Impression:
This was the first American Brett Ale I've had since Victory's Wid Devil - a beer I disliked so much I almost dumped it. Almost. Having said that, I was unsure how this would beer would go over with me. Upon the first sip, my skepticism was gone! This is without a doubt the most complex beer/ale I've ever tasted!!! First the aging in Cabernet Sauvignon Barrels was obvious. The brett was a perfect compliment to the complexity of this amazing ale. It's kinda like a cross between a wine and a beer, and not a cheap version of either. If this is not Nectar of the Godz, I don't know what is.

[EDIT: I tried Victory Wild Devil again on 03/25/10 and I rather enjoyed it. I have acquired a taste for American Brett Beers]

Russian River Temptation

Reviewed By: Herr Rick
Style: American Brett Ale (Barrel Aged)
State/Country: California
ABV: 7.2%
Serving Type: On Tap @ Monk's Cafe

Look: 9
Bright golden color, slightly cloudy, thin head, and little lacing

Smell: 9.5
Oak, vanilla, brett funk, lemon zest

Taste: 9.5
Up Front: Lemon zest, white grape, malt. Finish: brett funk, oak at the end

Mouthfeel: 10
Medium body with a light/medium carbonation. Like Consecration, it got creamier as it warmed up.

Drinkability: 9.5
Incredibly smooth, crisp, and refreshing!

Overall Score: 9.5

Value: 7.5
Cost/12 oz serving: $8.40 - $7 for a 10oz glass, but worth every penny!

Overall Impression:
This was a fantastic and complex ale. You could definitely pick up the aging in Chardonnay casks. Again, the brett was not over-the-top, but rather a compliment to its overall complexity. Methinks Russian River has this American Brett Ale thing down! Regarding Newbeez: I think this would appeal to ladies more than dudes, due to its sophisticated wine-like qualities.