Temptation from Russian River Brewing Co.

It's been awhile since I've written about the actual sensation of drinking a beer. Crazy. Isn't the simple pleasure of drinking a beer what this is all about? I think so. Today, I return to beer.

In celebration of my wife's success at school we popped the cork on a bottle of Russian River Brewing Co.'s Temptation. The bottle had spent the last 8 months cellared in our garage. The label says it is a Belgian blond ale age in French oak chardonnay barrels with Brettanomyces. Without even opening the bottle it already seems complex. I've had this beer several times, so I understand what I am getting into.

The cork popped with some force, hinting at ample carbonation. The beer pours a cool yellowish gold with a generous white head. The aroma wafts with stone fruit, bready hay, and a subtle lingering sourness. In the mouth is where this beer really gets it's legs. Peach. Apricot. Firm tannins. Lemons zest. A bracing, yet integrated acidity. Delicate hay. Vanilla pushing toward tropical fruit. Light body, but lively carbonation to balance it out. Finishes with a dry, tart peach sensation.

Truly, Russian River understands how to achieve complexity and balance. In this beer, I feel it is the acidity and tannic tension from the oak that help develop its layered and textural complexity. I've drank this beer before, but this was the best bottle I've had. I think the added age helped smooth out the intensity on the palate and integrated the richness of tastes together.

At $11 for 375 ml, this beer is quite expensive, but well worth the price tag. If you find yourself blessed enough to come across it in the store, buy it up!