RSSI picked up one of these guys a few weeks ago on one of my weekly beer hunting trips to K&L. I have seen Damnation before but I have always avoided it thinking that with a name like Damnation, this guy is going to be either dark and bitter or super strong and sweet like a barley wine or something similar that lives up to the name DAMNATION. But trying to be daring I bought a bottle.
When I began pouring this guy I immediately thought that something was wrong. Why is it so light? Why does it smell like a Belgian Wit or Ale? Is someone going to jump out of the bushes and kick me in the nuts while yelling baby penis? Well, maybe not that… Anyways, when I finished the pour I took a taste…it is freaking marvelous. This guy is actually a Belgian Ale with all of the lovely tastes you would expect from a well made strong Belgian Ale. It actually reminds me of a Wit more than an Ale because of the yeasty spicy goodness with hints of banana and other subtle fruits but it still is a Belgian Ale with its smooth and strong yet mildly sweet finish.
So why Damnation? This beer isn’t evil. It doesn’t have a bitter bite nor is it dark and scary. In the glass and in the mouth it is the exact opposite. It is light, heavenly and delicious… It turns out the name Damnation is purposely named this because of a Belgian brewing tradition of giving their beers unusual, curious, or in this case diabolical names. Now that I know this (I had to look it up), it is kind of cool, but I am not sure if the use of this tradition is successful here because until now I have been avoiding this beer just because of the name and label and from everyone else I have talked to has said the same. Kind of bums me out that I have missed out on this guy for so long but from now on I shall not judge a beer by it’s label.
Summary:
Company: Russian River Brewing Co.
Type: Belgian Ale
Taste:
Alcohol Content: 7.75%
Food Pairing: Sausages, Pork Roast, etc.
Rating: 6 out of 6 (yes 6 bottles of 1pt 9.4FL oz. goodness!)
Website: Damnation
What if the beer is called Grandpa’s Balls?
I’d still drink it
[...] couple days ago I found myself back at K&L on a mission to pick up another beautiful bottle of Damnation…and I said to myself, Pliny the Elder is from the same guy and based on my mighty robo logic, [...]
I think I will pick one of these up today. But I gotta tell you, that name is freaky.
[...] etc. Rating: 4 out of 6 (great beer but I would trade the bitterness for a nice smooth bottle of Damnation) Website: [...]