100% Sacramento Beer

In the basement of a nondescript building, next to the falling rubble that was once the K street mall, is Ruhstaller Beer.  To enter said basement, one must ring a bell and then you'll be greeted, and lead into the taproom by one of their friendly staff.  Though I had tried two of Ruhstaller's offerings in the past, this was my first visit to the brewery.  As I walked down the stairs, I was welcomed by a long communal table and lots of comfortable seating in a lounge area behind a wall of bottles.  The wife and I walked over to the bar and asked for a sampler.  We let the beertender decide which four beers we would taste today.  

Communal Table

Cozy Lounge area.

The four beers that we ended up with are all delicious and  a good representation of the brewery.  From left to right we have a black version of 1881, Gilt Edge Lager, Santos Saison and Brown Pelican.

mmm...beer

Tasting Notes:

-Black 1881 is a one off beer and is similar to what I remember of their standard 1881 Red Ale, but with a richer and slightly roasted malt character.  It has an aroma of sweet baked goods and browned toast and an opaque black appearance with soft ruby edges.  The rich malt character is also present in the flavor and contributes to the flavor of a sweetened dark roasted coffee; this is well balanced with a citrus hop bite that lingers on the pallet and leaves a subtle resinous mouthfeel. 

-Gilt Edge Lager is made with ingredients sourced 100% from the Sacramento region.  It's aroma is of muted sulfur and a whiff of cigar ash.  This beer is crystal clear and straw colored.  The slightly floral, soft grain flavors give way to a lingering hop bitterness that is similar to cannabis.  The crisp mouthfeel of this beer is refreshing and left me wanting another.

-Santos Saison has an aroma of tropical fruits and yeast.  Lots of bubbles in this bright amber colored, medium bodied beer.  It is a complex beer with dominate flavors of banana, clove and ripe stone fruits.  The effervescence of this saison makes for a fragrant and very drinkable beer.

-Brown Pelican is an experimental beer that was served on nitro.  This brown ale has an inviting aroma that is similar to the Black 1881.  It has the appearance of root beer with a lush head from the nitro.  The flavor follows the aroma and gives way to a mild, dark, dried fruit character.  The nitro gives this beer a velvety, smooth mouthfeel that I  just can't help but imagine making an ice cream float with.  Nitro brown ale float, yes please. 

Photo Credit: The Wife

Ruhstaller Beer is a comfortable beer oasis in a currently hectic construction zone and will remain to be a great place to meet for a couple beers in the downtown area of Sacramento.  I will most certainly be returning for more beer and great service from the friendly and knowledgeable staff, maybe I'll bring a half pint of vanilla ice cream.


Cheers!