Supplication Ale by Russian River Brewing Co.

sup·pli·ca·tion

noun

The action of asking or begging for something earnestly or humbly.

Also, a ridiculously tasty malt beverage brewed by the masters of fermentation at Russian River Brewing Co.  I was just in California last weekend for my cousin’s wedding, and you bet we all went to RR.  I took down my art show at Midnight Sun Brewing at 7 pm on Thursday, boarded a flight to San Jose at midnight and was picked up by my sister and her husband at 8 AM at the airport.  So I got some low quality sleep on the plane.  We then drove for two hours north to Santa Rosa to pick up a case of elusive RR beer, as well as have lunch.  I was going to go to Lagunitas Brewing, but it doesn’t open until 2PM, and we had a strict timeline as we had to go to the rehearsal dinner by 6PM.  So we made a little stop at Grav South Brew Co. — a newly opened brewery only 7 miles south of RR.  Worth checking out, by the way.

Russian River is the brewery that makes a staple IPA known as Pliny the Elder.  I had a 3 oz sample of it as well as a 3 oz sample of the Supplication.  Everything tastes better right at the brewery.  I left Maria in charge of building us a RR case to take back to Alaska, and she bought mostly the corked wild yeast beers ending with the -ation in the name.  Temptation, Supplication, Consecration and Sanctification.  Two of each, as well as 2 bottles of Blind Pig IPA and 2 Plinys.  Gotta get those benchmark IPAs to make sure the best local Alaska ones are up to snuff (turns out they are doing a pretty good job).

Let’s talk Supplication.  A 7% Brown Ale aged in Pinot barrels with cherries!  This beer has Brettanomyces and will make you say, “What!” after taking the first sip.  It has a remarkable flavor, and is aptly named, because after you have had your first sip you will be begging for more.  Ironically, Supplication is loaded with Brett, but winemakers fear the aggressive yeast strain and RR Brewing is right in the heart of Sonoma wine country.  RR doesn’t give a @&%#, and they do what they want.  Good thing, because this libation is legit!  I will supplicate myself to procure more.  I wish I had more than two bottles in my possession, but at $12 a bottle for 375 ml it’s probably enough.  I also have those other great options.

Cheers to Supplication!  A beer so good it is worth missing some sleep over!

This original oil painting, and limited-edition prints are for sale at my Etsy shop RealArtIsBetter.

Supplication Ale by Russian River Brewing Co. 8″x10″, oil on panel. By Scott Clendaniel.