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Damnation

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A fruity banana bouquet and a dry, spicy finish mark this medium-bodied golden ale, inspired by Duvel and other strong golden ales of Belgium. Damnation was the first official Belgian-style beer brewed at Russian River. It shares its Belgian yeast strain with Redemption, which ferments colder and so softens the clove and banana of that yeast.

ABV
7.5%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
SRM
amber10
PaceSipper
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
bananafruityspicy
banana
fruity
spicy
clove
yeasty
bready
Aroma
The nose opens with prominent banana esters from the Belgian yeast strain, supported by subtle clove and herbal spice notes.
not found:hoppy,caramel,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Damnation

◎ Appearance

A brilliant golden hue with excellent clarity and bright luminosity. The head forms dense and persistent white foam with fine Schaumkleiden that cling to the glass throughout the drinking experience. Carbonation is brisk and well-integrated, evident in the steady stream of fine bubbles.

golden, brilliantdense foamfine carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with prominent banana esters from the Belgian yeast strain, supported by subtle clove and herbal spice notes. Underneath lies a soft, grainy malz character with a hint of bready sweetness that adds complexity without dominating. Noble hop character remains restrained, providing a light floral backdrop rather than assertive aromatics.

banana estersclove spicesoft Malzfloral hops

◐ Taste

The palate enters with a fruity, banana-forward character that evolves into a distinctly dry and spicy mid-palate. The yeast character expresses itself as both clove and a faint peppery heat, while the Malz provides enough body to support these flavors without becoming heavy. Bitterness remains moderate and refined, allowing the flavor profile to remain balanced and complex.

banana forwarddry spicemoderate bitternessvollmundig

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and relatively quick, leaving behind a lingering dryness and faint clove spice. The aftertaste remains pleasantly fruity without any harsh or cloying residue.

dry finishclove persistence
86
hopIQ score
Aroma
87
Taste
86
Appearance
85
Finish
84
Serve at 9–12°C

Warmer than most — 12–14°C. The fruity esters, spice and warming alcohol need room to breathe.

Goblet

The wide mouth and heavy base promote head formation and channel rich aromatics toward the nose. Traditional for Belgian strong ales.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Damnation

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About Belgian Strong Golden Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Belgian Strong Golden Ale?

Belgian Strong Golden Ale is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Belgian Strong Golden Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same banana, fruity, dry character as Damnation will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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