Supplication is one of the beers that put Russian River on the map as a serious sour producer, alongside its more famous hoppy beers. It is aged for about a year in Pinot Noir barrels with sour cherries, Brettanomyces, Lactobacillus and Pediococcus, then refermented in the bottle. Limited releases sell out almost immediately, and it remains one of the most traded and sought-after American sours.
Russian River Supplication at a glance
| Style | American wild ale (sour brown) |
| ABV | 7.75% |
| Calories | Around 232 per 12 fl oz |
| Origin | Russian River Brewing Company, Santa Rosa, California, USA |
| Ingredients | Brown ale base, sour cherries, Pinot Noir barrels, Brettanomyces, Lactobacillus, Pediococcus |
| Vegan | Yes |
| Gluten free | No, contains barley |
| Typical price | Around $15 to $22 for a 375ml bottle where available |
How it tastes, by the numbers
Supplication balances cherry fruit, oak and funk more evenly than most barrel-aged American sours.
The full review
It pours brown-red with hints of cherry showing through at the edges of the glass. The aroma is complex: pineapple and sweet malt mixing with blood orange and clove, a strong Brett character that reads floral, goaty and horse-blanket, with raspberry-like notes creating an interesting astringency alongside peach and pineapple.
On the palate, flavours from the cherries, Pinot Noir barrels and oak balance each other with a little funk from the Brett rounding things out. The fruit sits at the centre rather than the acidity, giving it a slightly sweeter, rounder profile than the driest gueuze while still delivering real tartness.
Refermentation in the bottle gives it natural carbonation and a long, complex finish. This is a beer built for patient, slow drinking rather than quick refreshment, and one that improves further with a year or two in the cellar.
One of the American beers that proved barrel-aged sours could compete with the Belgian originals.
- Widely considered one of the best American sour ales made
- Complex cherry, oak and Brett character that rewards slow drinking
- Ages well for further development in the bottle
- Extremely limited release, very difficult to find at retail
- Secondary market prices are often inflated
- High ABV compared to session-style sours
Who it is for
Serious sour beer collectors and anyone lucky enough to find a bottle who wants to see American barrel-aged sours at their best.
Russian River Supplication FAQs
What does Russian River Supplication taste like?
Pineapple and sweet malt with blood orange and clove, strong Brett character, cherry and oak from Pinot Noir barrel ageing, and a balanced tartness rather than an aggressive sour bite.
How strong is Russian River Supplication?
7.75% ABV.
Why is Supplication so hard to find?
It is released in limited quantities and sells out quickly at the brewery and through allocated retail accounts, making secondary market trading common.
Is Russian River Supplication gluten free?
No, it is brewed with a barley malt base.
How long is Supplication aged?
Around 12 months in oak barrels with sour cherries and mixed fermentation cultures before bottling.
Can I age Russian River Supplication?
Yes, well-stored bottles can continue developing complexity for a year or two after release.
Where to find it
Released in limited quantities through the brewery and allocated retail accounts in California and select markets; largely unavailable through normal retail channels once sold out.
The verdict
Russian River Supplication is one of the beers that proved American brewers could match Belgian tradition in barrel-aged sours. A rare, exceptional four point five out of five.
