[Brewsmith]

Beer Of The Week - October 19 - 25, 2008

Russian River Damnation



Russian River Damnation

To help with the tasting, here's some info from the BJCP on Belgian Golden Strong Ale

18D. Belgian Golden Strong Ale
Aroma: Complex with significant fruity esters, moderate spiciness and low to moderate alcohol and hop aromas. Esters are reminiscent of lighter fruits such as pears, oranges or apples. Moderate spicy, peppery phenols. A low to moderate yet distinctive perfumy, floral hop character is often present. Alcohols are soft, spicy, perfumy and low-to-moderate in intensity. No hot alcohol or solventy aromas. The malt character is light. No diacetyl.
Appearance: Yellow to medium gold in color. Good clarity. Effervescent. Massive, long-lasting, rocky, often beady, white head resulting in characteristic “Belgian lace” on the glass as it fades.
Flavor: Marriage of fruity, spicy and alcohol flavors supported by a soft malt character. Esters are reminiscent of pears, oranges or apples. Low to moderate phenols are peppery in character. A low to moderate spicy hop character is often present. Alcohols are soft, spicy, often a bit sweet and are low-to-moderate in intensity. Bitterness is typically medium to high from a combination of hop bitterness and yeast-produced phenolics. Substantial carbonation and bitterness leads to a dry finish with a low to moderately bitter aftertaste. No diacetyl.
Mouthfeel: Very highly carbonated. Light to medium body, although lighter than the substantial gravity would suggest (thanks to sugar and high carbonation). Smooth but noticeable alcohol warmth. No hot alcohol or solventy character. Always effervescent. Never astringent.
Overall Impression: A golden, complex, effervescent, strong Belgian-style ale.
Comments: Strongly resembles a Tripel, but may be even paler, lighter-bodied and even crisper and drier. The drier finish and lighter body also serves to make the assertive hopping and spiciness more prominent. References to the devil are included in the names of many commercial examples of this style, referring to their potent alcoholic strength and as a tribute to the original example (Duvel). The best examples are complex and delicate. High carbonation helps to bring out the many flavors and to increase the perception of a dry finish. Traditionally bottle-conditioned (“refermented in the bottle”).
History: Originally developed by the Moortgat brewery after WWII as a response to the growing popularity of Pilsner beers.
Ingredients: The light color and relatively light body for a beer of this strength are the result of using Pilsner malt and up to 20% white sugar. Noble hops or Styrian Goldings are commonly used. Belgian yeast strains are used – those that produce fruity esters, spicy phenolics and higher alcohols – often aided by slightly warmer fermentation temperatures. Fairly soft water.

Vital Statistics: OG: 1.070 - 1.095, FG: 1.005 - 1.016, IBUs: 22-35, SRM: 3-6, ABV: 7.5-10.5%
Commercial Examples: Duvel, Russian River Damnation, Hapkin, Lucifer, Brigand, Judas, Delirium Tremens, Dulle Teve, Piraat, Great Divide Hades, Avery Salvation, North Coast Pranqster, Unibroue Eau Benite, AleSmith Horny Devil

[Brewsmith]

And just a heads up for the next week and the coming months...

Oct 26 - Nov 1 Avery Salvation
I will keep the beer of the week up to date in the first post and edit this one for coming months.

October: Belgian Strong Golden
Russian River Damnation
Avery Salvation

Previous Beers
Feb 17-23 New Belgium Fat Tire Amber Ale
Feb 24 - Mar 1 Samuel Smith Taddy Porter
Mar 2-8 Ayinger Celebrator
Mar 9-15 Spaten Optimator
Mar 16-22 Paulaner Salvator
Mar 23-29 Sam Adams Double Bock
Mar 30 - Apr 5 Homebrew/Micro Doppelbock
Apr 6-12 Weihenstephan Hefeweissbier
Apr 13-19 Schneider Weisse
Apr 20-26 Sprecher Hefe Weisse
Apr 27 - May 3 Homebrew/Micro Hefeweizen
May 4-10 Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
May 11-17 Flying Dog Pale Ale
May 18-24 Dogfish Head Shelter Pale Ale
May 25-31 Homebrew/Micro Pale Ale
Jun 1-7 Pete's Wicked Ale
Jun 8-14 Big Sky Moose Drool
Jun 15-21 Abita Turbodog
Jun 22-28 Brookly Brown Ale
Jun 29- Jul 5 Homebrew/Micro Brown Ale
Jul 6-12 Alaskan Summer Ale
Jul 13-19 Pyramid Curve Ball
Jul 20-26 St. Arnold Fancy Lawnmower
Jul 27 - Aug 2 Homebrew/Micro Kolsch
Aug 3-9 HBT 8.8.8 Russian Imperial Stout
Aug 10-16 Rogue Shakespeare Stout
Aug 17-23 Goose Island Oatmeal Stout
Aug 31 - Sept 6 Bells Kalamazoo Stout
Sept 7-13 Spaten Oktoberfest
Sept 14-20 Gordon Biersch Marzen

[Ryanh1801]

Sweet Ill be in next week. I just hate Fat Tire way to much to buy a 6 pack of it. No one would probably want to read my ranting review of it anyways.

[Brewsmith]

No worries. Part of this is just an exercize in tasting the different flavors in beer and training the palate. I've tried to vary the style, both in strength and color month to month, and I've also tried to make sure the geographic center of the different beers changes week to week, plus homebrew samples at the end of every month.

[Greggy]

I will probably sit out first round as I am a fat tire-hate, but will definitely pick up in the second round. From the list, I can tell I will be able to get about 95% of the list.

Greg

[Brewsmith]

We're also planning some homebrew and commercial swaps, so that should help in getting some of the samples. I've got this thing planned out for the rest of the year already and there are many I can't get.

[bradsul]

I THINK I can get Schneider Weisse, aside from that I guess I'll just be enjoying the discussions.

[olllllo]

Kudos
/subscribe

[mrkristofo]

Well I needed an excuse to go to Wyoming anyway.

[bigjohnmilford]

What will be a good stand in? I don't think it's available out this way.