Collaboration, not Litigation

Avery and Russian River brewed there sixth annual batch of Collaboration Not Litigation this year, and I got my hands on a bottle. The story behind this beer is worth mentioning: Both Avery and Russian River brewed a Belgian ale called "Salvation" and instead of going head to head on who gets rights to the name, they decided to bring their beers together in a collaborative effort to make a "super" version that they so fittingly call "Collaboration Not Litigation."

What makes this beer so interesting is that is actually a blend, not just a singular recipe. Russian River brewed their Salvation (a Belgian Dark Strong ale) and Avery brewed there Salvation (a Belgian Strong Golden ale), and they literally mixed (or blended) the two together in order to capture and compliment the flavor profiles of each. I am hoping to get my hands on another bottle so I can age it for a year or so, but we will see...

In the glass, Collaboration Not Litigation looks orange (almost red), but with some light going through it the color appears to be more of a darker amber. The aroma is largely dominated by what I would assume are yeast derived spices, and a faint scent of sweet fruit with little to no hops.

The upfront flavors start very spicy, like the nose, with some raisin-esque sweet fruit notes. There is also a bit of banana and some cloves (though that might just be the spiciness I am picking up) that appear in the finish. A hint of alcohol appears, being that this beer is 8.69%, but it works well with the spiciness of the yeast and the sweetness of the Belgian candied sugar so as to not be too overwhelming.

All in all, Avery and Russian River did not fail to please (not that I ever though either would). This only further strengthens my growing obsession for Belgian style beers, whether brewed the same way they have for hundreds of years by Belgian monks or interpreted by American craft brewers to offer a more "modern" perspective. If you see this beer anywhere, be sure to drink it.