2/14 Update: The beer was released early and is now available in bottles in California stores.

Update 1 and Update 2 (most recent)

(Santa Rosa, CA) – Tomme Arthur of The Lost Abbey isn’t the only recent World Beer Cup Champion quietly working on new beers. We discovered late last night that fellow champ, Vinnie Cilurzo, has a new one resting in barrels over at Russian River Brewing. All signs point to Russian River Consecration being released in 375 mL bottles sometime in 2008. [update: 1st batch should be released in March/spring 2009]

According to the label, Russian River Toronado 20th Anniversary Ale inspired this new beer. From the brewery’s website:

Consecration is a dark Belgian style ale aged in American oak Cabernet Sauvignon barrels. Not only do we use Brettanomyces, Lactobacillus, & Pediococcus, we also add currants to beer while it is aging in the barrels.

By the time the beer is released, it will have been aged for nine months.

Meanwhile, Jay Brooks of The Brookston Beer Bulletin also featured the brewery in a post last night showcasing Russian River La Fleurette, a very “floral” offering now available on tap at the pub. Brooks got pictures of the whole brewing process (we’re linking to him a lot in this post because his blog IS that damn good).

Lastly, Brooks mentions that the new brewery may be operating “any day now.”