Consecration – Russian River Brewing Co.

Consecration is an American Wild Ale, 10% ABV.

Appearance: Pours a cloudy reddish-brown with hints of very dark orange around the edges. Head instantly bubbles away as the beer is poured and there is little lacing. A good amount of sediment at the bottom of the glass.

Smell: Bold sourness with a funkiness from the brettanomyces. Dark fruits and currants throughout. Sour cherries and Cabernet can be detected as well.

Mouthfeel: Full-bodied with high carbonation. Perfect for this style of beer.

Taste: Incredibly complex and satisfying. Sourness is bright and rich. Red wine and currants are huge at the end of the taste. Finish is tart and dry. There is a subtle oakiness throughout the taste as well as tart cherries. Wild yeast funk is balances against everything else in this beer perfectly.

Overall: This beer may be the pinnacle of Wild Ales. It’s almost perfect in every category and has no real faults that I can find. I prefer sours that are highly sour and this one accomplishes that without being overwhelming. Every sips seems to lend something different to the taste. Sometimes the red wine shines through for a dry, fruity taste and other times the wild yeast takes the forefront for a big funky sour kick. It’s a good thing this beer is on the pricey side ($13 for a 375 ml bottle), otherwise I would drink way too much of it.

99 out of 100