Rating: 5.5/5

Batch# 8 Collaboration Not Litigation, A collaboration between Avery and Russian River brewing is a 8.9% ABV Belgian Dark Strong Cuvee of Avery Salvation and Russian River Salvation.

Label:
Salvation. The name of two intricate Belgian-style ales, created by us, Vinnie Cilurzo of Russian River Brewing and Adam Avery of Avery Brewing.

After becoming friends a few years ago, we realized we both had a Salvation in our lineups. Was it going to be a problem? Should one of us relinquish the name rights? “Hell, no!” we said. In fact, it was quickly decided that we should blend the brews to catch the best qualities of each and create an even more complex and rich libation. In April 2004, in a top secret meeting at Russian River Brewing (well, actually it was packed in the pub and many were looking over our shoulders wondering what the hell was going on), we came up with the perfect blend of the two Salvations.

Natalie, Vinnie’s much more significant other, exclaimed, “We should call this Collaboration, not Litigation Ale!” “Perfect,” we shouted! We celebrated deep into the night (or is that morning?). Fast forward to November 14, 2006. After talking about it for over two years, we finally decided to pull the trigger and Vinnie made the journey to Avery Brewing to brew his Salvation exactly as he does in his brewery. This was blended with Avery’s Salvation December 11th, 2006. We hope you enjoy it as much we enjoyed brewing and blending it.

Gezonheid!

– See more at: http://averybrewing.com/collaboration-not-litigation-ale/#sthash.51OEiSKD.dpuf

==Introduction==

I obtained this one at qualityliquorstore.com. I had this beer a couple of times in the past but this is the first time I bring it forth for a review. It is about time. Collaboration not litigation started as a need to show the craft beer world that at some point, it is not about ownership over the name of a beer that people should fight over. Let bygones be bygones and combine the 2 to make a special cuvee. This is something many uppity breweries should take a lesson rather than take it legal action over trivial things such as names of beers. I feel this beer is the embodiment of that bond that many craft brewers share. Basically, the need to pursue the passion for great beer. Unfortunately, breweries going to fight against other breweries is such a pain that separates people. Anyways, that’s just my 2 cents on that. Let’s give this beer a go. Cheers!

Aromas:
Bubblegum, dark cherries, Dark fruit raisins, plums, dates, figs, currants, blackberries, Black cherry notes, Belgian Candi sugar, rock candy, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, flan, pecan pie, honey, cherry marzipan, citrus, Pan Dulce, grape notes, toffee, burnt sugar, cane sugar, beet sugar and capirotada raisin bread pudding.

Flavors:
Rich Belgian Candi sugar, rock candy, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, flan, pecan pie, Dark fruit raisins, plums, dates, figs, currants, blackberries, Black cherry notes, cherry marzipan, citrus, honey, floral hop notes, peppercorn, biscuit bread, capirotada raisin bread pudding, raspberry and strawberry preserves and jam, leather, rye, Pan Dulce, grape notes, toffee, burnt sugar, cane sugar, beet sugar, rich bananas, clove spices, hazelnut, walnut spread, Stone fruit peaches in syrup, apricots, pears, dragon fruit notes and passion fruit.

Aftertaste:
Dark fruit and berry preserves, Pan Dulce, floral hop notes, cherry marzipan, citrus, stone fruits, rock candy and rich candy sugar linger. No alcohol in the taste, crimson body, moderate drinkability, slight creamy.

Overall:
Everything I love in the dark Belgian beers, Belgian quads, tripels and dubbels is in this beer. There was so much going on in this beer and it was so damn delicious. I remember from the last time I had I knew I would love to try it again from the bottle. The Belgian spirit of beer is in this beer. This one should be seeked out for sure.

Anime Corner:
Unso (PFFK) Duality from Pixiv Fantasia: Fallen Kings were used in this pairing to go with the spirit of collaboration. The original beers have their own uniqueness as you can see, even if they have the same name, represented by both of the characters looking similar kissing the birds. The colors also represent the colors of the flavors such as the dark fruits and berry flavors for example. All and all, the beers are unique but they bring their own uniqueness to the table and should not fight for over having the same name. Both brewers are a great inspiration for the craft beer world showing that instead of fighting over subtleties is not what the whole craft beer is about.

Sources:
http://www.zerochan.net/full/1691228