Salvation - Avery Brewing Company

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

4.24/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

On tap at the blue dog Chalfont Part of an Avery take over.
Salvation is amber dark somewhat cloudy with a pretty head sitting atop the brew.
Aroma is spicy malty and fruity hint of alcohol too. Candied sugar compliment the light bouquet but also suggest a high ABV.
Taste has some fruitiness such as apples and pears and is also spicy with corrinder or yeast.
Finish is dry and with some warming alcohol.
Salvation to my knowledge is only seen rarely here in sepa so a chance to bag it was a big goal and to my satasfaction was worthy.

Serving type: on-tap

03-17-2013 19:14:25 | More by micromaniac129

denver10

Colorado

2.75/5  rDev -28.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.75

Pours dirty golden with a white head. Both the aroma and flavor are dominated by the Belgian yeast, floral, banana, and spices. Also present is some lemon. The yeast is way too strong in this one for me, I did not like it. An active, medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, not a balanced brew for me. Less yeast, please,.

Serving type: on-tap

01-09-2013 21:32:59 | More by denver10

Murrhey

Montana

3.7/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured in a 12oz plastic cup at Taco Asylum in Costa Mesa, Calif. Reviewed from notes.

A- Finger and a half creamy white head. Minute-long retention with beautiful lacing. Rich coppery gold color with crystal clear lacing.

S- White wheat and yeasts, but sour smelling. Tart and funky. Orange wit smells.

T- Yeasty and tart. Funky and some booze. The yeast adds a bitter twinge to the flavor. Wit bier. Not sure how I feel about it.

M- Chewy and heavy carbonation leads to a thick and creamy feel. Complex and nice.

O- This is a sick beer, I'm glad I scored it.

Serving type: on-tap

12-02-2012 01:57:20 | More by Murrhey

Reaper16

Alabama

2.68/5  rDev -30.2%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

served on-tap @ Egan's, Tuscaloosa, AL, into a pint glass

There's not a lot to be asked of the appearance of a BSPA. Salvation has a golden yellow body that's completely clear. It has 1.5 fingers (or more) of fluffy white head. Thus, it's a good-looking beer.

Unfortunately, Salvation suffers from the problem that most American-brewed Belgian Strong Pale Ales suffer from: an out-of-control yeast strain. Duval, for example, is a textbook in balance and thoughtfulness. Salvation is just overdone. Too much flavor, or better put, too intense. Sugary fruits for days, bubblegum esters like whoa, an aggressive level of hop flavor (that, of course, clashes with the yeast flavors). Flavors of grape must and tea leaves would be interesting if everything (including the booziness) wasn't cranked up to eleven.

The mouthfeel is fine here: able-bodied & effervescent. It's a bit hot with alcohol is its only detriment. But overall, this is an off-the-mark, below-average attempt at a style that not many American brewers get right.

Serving type: on-tap

07-14-2012 19:42:32 | More by Reaper16

UCLABrewN84

California

4.28/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Haven Gastropub in Pasadena, CA.

Pours a slightly hazy orange with a foamy beige head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Foamy rings of lace line the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, grain, yeast, spice, and some very peach and apricot like fruit aromas. Taste is much the same with a distinct peach flavor on the finish. There is a mild bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp and medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a very good beer and I especially like the peach flavor I am getting out of this one.

Serving type: on-tap

07-04-2012 02:01:35 | More by UCLABrewN84

AlCaponeJunior

Texas

3.13/5  rDev -18.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Light orange and clear, head and lace were ok.

Smelled and tasted like a tripel to me, with lots of yeast and spices, floral notes, fruit flavors, quite sweet, and a slightly off-putting odd taste I couldn't quite identify.

Body was pretty full and notably alcoholic, leaving a bitter yeasty aftertaste.

Overall I wasn't that impressed by this one.

Serving type: on-tap

10-02-2011 20:05:37 | More by AlCaponeJunior

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

2.95/5  rDev -23.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

On Tap at Old Eagle Tavern.

Salvation pours out a golden graham glaze with some hazy orange in between. Not much of a head, barely even a off white cap, no stick.

Smell is very heavy on the spice and especially black pepper. Adam really likes his black pepper. Some grassy vegetal smell with some bready old biscuit scent as well.

This is an odd one. Comes in heavier than a BSPA, but Salvation does not even meet those standards. I get farmhouse along with fruity triple tastes and grass. Black pepper is apparent with grains of paradise. Other spices. Belgian yeast with bread but it also gives vegetal taste in the middle and it lingers off longtime, yuck. This is real nasty.

Feel is heavier than the standard BSPA. A slimy medium with kinda lacking carb. More bubbles would of been nice, but it would not have helped the taste. Aftertaste of vegies forever.

A hybrid of styles Saison/BSPA/triple in that order, and it seems unfocused. I could not wait to get through my glass.

Serving type: on-tap

09-06-2011 03:05:57 | More by onix1agr

BucannonXC5

California

3.6/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a tap into a Goblet at The Linkery in San Diego, Calif. About an inch of head. Lots of lacing on top of the beer and some uneven film on the sides of the glass. Color was orange amber. Really liked the look of this beer.

Smelled orange, fruits, hints of lemon/citrus and cloves. Smelled a lot like a Saison.

Good mix of flavors, but clove heavy. Not that hoppy, still like a Saison to me. Plum comes to mind for the fruit.

Moderately carbonated. Not that good of a mouthfeel. Got sick of it pretty quick.

The Salvation started out so well for me but then got worse as the beer went down. I’d still probably give it another try.

Serving type: on-tap

08-23-2011 02:37:26 | More by BucannonXC5

claytong

Vermont

3.63/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance - orange amber, decent head

Smell - banana bread, floral, brown sugar

Taste - sour cherry, minor bitter hops, bready

Mouthfeel - smooth, minor hotness, was easy to throw down.

not as nice as the reverend, im not as into the belgian pales so maybe thats the reason, but worth a try.

Serving type: on-tap

05-31-2011 20:22:49 | More by claytong

IronLover

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bright orange-yellow in color with a slight haze. Poured with a brief, short, white, head that didn't hold up. However, ample wet lazy lacings on the glass throughout. Tropical fruit and apricot aromas, along with belgian yeast, peppery spice and a hint of biscuit. On the thinner side of medium bodied with pleasant, tangy carbonation. Tangy apricot and citrus flavors in the front followed by a floral hoppy and spicy middle. Finished with a hoppy citrus and light pine character. A long lingering yeasty, biscuity, belgian aftertaste. The alcoholic heat peaks through every once in a while, but isn't prominent. Definitey a sipper and very enjoyabe.

Serving type: on-tap

04-12-2011 18:27:55 | More by IronLover

FanofHefe

Illinois

3.28/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served on-tap in stubby pilsner glass. Mostly clear, light amber body, with a small light, tan head and some moderate retention. Minimal lacing.

The aroma is a combination of sweet fruity notes and spicy yeast notes. A little floral hop and sweet malt in the background.

The flavors follow the aroma, but with a bit of the alchohol heat; just a little boozy. Sweet caramel malt and candied sugar as well.

Overall, seems like a bastardized weissbier that is a little too sweet. Interesting enough but doesn't seem at home in the BSPA category.

Serving type: on-tap

03-29-2011 01:18:26 | More by FanofHefe

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

4.15/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On-tap 3/12/2011 at British Beer Company in Walpole, MA, served in a tulip glass.

A: The beer is a deep gold color, with a short off-white head that fades very slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains Belgian yeast, bananas, spices, light caramelized malts and a touch of hops.

T: The taste starts out bready with a strong flavor of Belgian yeast and a hearty but not too heavy malt character. Then some sweet flavors of bananas, citrus and spices come in. The hops presence is mild but complementary and brings a good balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Very crisp and very smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is clean.

D: Tasty, goes down very easily, not too filling, strong but well-disguised kick, very good representation of style, this is a very nice stronger Belgian beer to drink for a long time.

Serving type: on-tap

03-13-2011 14:40:04 | More by TheManiacalOne

ktrillionaire

Florida

2.6/5  rDev -32.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

A - It looks innocuous enough, but it isn't. Golden amber in hue (a bit dark for a BSPA), it is capped with spare wisps of white froth, but leaves generous sheets of lace as the glass empties.

S - Uggghhh. I smell cremini mushrooms, which is cool and all if you are eating or ordering cremini mushrooms. If you ordered a beer, however, you generally aren't looking for anything mushroom-y, are you?

T - The taste is worse than the smell. I get mushy peas, hay/grain silo, and some alcohol to top it off. Not very pleasant. I can't drink this beer at all. (Probably) Worst BSPA ever.

M - It really isn't the feel's fault.

D - This is an embarassment. I've had some really good Avery beers in my day; New World Porter stands out as one... it was perhaps the first prominent black IPA (at least on my radar); The Beast, Brabant, Fifteen, Sixteen etc. were good, too. This is notsogood.

SECOND TRY:

Better, not good though.

Vegetal overall, with a lemon pledge nose and edamame taste. Cheap alcohol burn.

Serving type: on-tap

02-26-2011 05:29:12 | More by ktrillionaire

JoeAmerican77

Colorado

3.9/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a very bright golden shield of liquid, with a light frothy white head...

Tastes sweet with belgian candy, tomato juice, orange, mild pepper and sour dough... love it.

Mouthfeel is creamy, with small carbonation, and a lighter body

I would highly recommend this, perhaps as my third favorite Avery beer, and thats hard to say

Serving type: on-tap

02-25-2011 02:07:11 | More by JoeAmerican77

xnicknj

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

on tap at devlis den in philly. served in a tulip glass.

Pours a mostly clear golden yellow with some darker tones. Frothy white head fades out with some patches of film and lacing.

Scents of biscuity malt and pepper with banana, somewhat odd grassyness, sweetness and a flair of heat.

Some spice and floral hops upfront followed by an assortment of fruit. Banana and lemon peel with some citrus juice and light spice. Decent malt backbone, some swirls of sweetness. Some bitter dry hoppiness and alcohol warmth in the finish.

Decent medium body, high carbonation, but a bit creamy and dry. Drinks nice, although it was a little hot, and not particularly memorable compared to other Belgian styled ales.

Serving type: on-tap

02-22-2011 17:02:39 | More by xnicknj

StaveHooks

Oklahoma

3.9/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- Pours a golden amber with red hues. 2 finger bone white head slowly sink into a thin collar. Speckled lacing.

S - Lemon citrus hops, bubblegum yeast, spices, wheat. Grassy hops.

T - Lemony tartness, spicy Belgian yeast, green pears, grassy wheat all on top of a solid candied pale malt. Moderate hops wraps around, takes hold, and compliments the flavors well.

M - Full bodied, creamy, moderate carbonation.

The citrus tartness cuts out the sweetness. Good creamy characters. Alcohol is hidden well. A solid drinker.

Serving type: on-tap

01-03-2011 01:29:12 | More by StaveHooks

paulozanello

Brazil

3.7/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This one pours a translucid dark golden color with some red hues. The white head is creamy and has good retention and lacing.

Smell is of biscuity malts and apricots/peaches/apples.

Taste starts with sweet malts and little caramel. Then it shifts to fruity notes: mainly apricots, peaches and mangos. Finish is dry and yeasty / spicy with little bitterness.

Body is medium and carbonation is high.

Nice pleasant beer from Avery. Good yeast contribution to the flavor and aroma. It is a little too sweet for my taste.

Serving type: on-tap

12-01-2010 04:04:51 | More by paulozanello

Thorpe429

Illinois

2.7/5  rDev -29.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

On tap at the brewery in August 2009. Reviewed from notes.

Pours a moderate brown color with a thin tan head and almost no lacing. Nose brings candied sugar, caramel, dark fruits, hints of spice, and some booze. Taste is a bit of a mess with flavors in all directions and the malt and the yeast never really coming together, and then being overwhelmed by a big booziness. The feel brings a slight creaminess that is somewhat appetizing and is a boost over the nose. Drinkability is fairly poor. Definitely prefer the other end of the collaboration.

Serving type: on-tap

10-13-2010 01:58:23 | More by Thorpe429

morebeergood

Massachusetts

3.85/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at the Yardhouse in Dedham. Served in a 10 oz stemmed tulip glass. Hazy pumpkin orange color with not much head. Smell had a really nice spicy aroma to it, like coriander and cardamon. Taste was very pleasant. Strong Belgian flavors, such as candied sugar and and tart fruit like apples and pears. Mouthfeel was not bad, but the high abv seemed a bit hot on the palate. Drinkability was fine for a high alcohol beer, but the 10 oz glass seemed appropriate for a beer of this strength. A nice beer to savor for a while as it warms up.

Serving type: on-tap

10-12-2010 14:42:30 | More by morebeergood

womencantsail

California

3.58/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Blue Palms

A: The pour is a dark and mildly hazed golden color with a fluffy white head.

S: Quite a bit of spice esters such as all spice, clove, and nutmeg. Some mild pear and apple fruitiness along with a bit of citrus peel. Plenty of sweet sugar and caramel malts, too.

T: More of a citrus presence on the flavor than I had expected. Still some sweet fruits like pears and bananas along with the spice notes. Caramel, candi sugar, and a bit of alcohol to round it out.

M: The body is medium with a medium level of carbonation. As sweet as this beer is, luckily it's not syrupy.

D: A bit too sweet for me with a sort of half hearted spice character. A bit boozy, too.

Serving type: on-tap

10-10-2010 01:01:12 | More by womencantsail

tigg924

Massachusetts

3.73/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a goblet

Appearance: orange/brown in color, cloudy, minimal head

Smell: Belgian spices--coriader, cardamom

Taste: apple, funk, lemon, caramel, and Belgian spices--very complex.

Mouthfeel: sweet with an alcohol burn and bitter backbone, light body with medium carbonation

Drinkability: A very enjoyable BSPA that I would be happy to have again. Very complex for the style. A very good offering from Avery.

Serving type: on-tap

06-08-2010 13:37:08 | More by tigg924

Andreji

Colombia

4.22/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

no. 1 of the american beers tried during the Taste of Paste beer event @ the stag's head.

Pours an amberish reddish tone half translucent with a thin head from tan to beige with a little lacing. in an overfilled american pint seemed nothing impressive so far.

the smell was a reminiscence of the past and slightly forgotten good, moderate and subtle things in belgium. smooth sweetness on a yeasty background, spicy (but not too much), and slightly alcoholised, although not pungent. taste definetly fills the profile, creamy citrus feel running along the lines of orange to grapefruity, very soft though, perceivable ABV with a very soft hoppy finish.

Body is thick but goes down easily, mildly carbonated allows one to concentrate on the taste alone.

By all means not an extreme american deal, perhaps a bit stronger than the usual for the style, but definetly a return to good old hearty, delicate blends. good beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-23-2010 19:06:52 | More by Andreji

david18

New York

3.9/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer is definitely too pungent and not dry enough to fit into my category of Belgian Strong Pale Ale. That said it is still a very good beer. I guess I had only tired the Collaboration version as well as Russian River's version. This is very good. I would consider it a strong blond rather than a strong pale but it had great flavor whose alcohol is well hidden, good carbonation and something I'll drink many times again.

Serving type: on-tap

02-01-2010 22:51:48 | More by david18

glid02

Georgia

4.1/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at the Brick Store.

Pours a golden-yellow color with a 1.5-finger white head. The head recedes into a thin layer on top leaving solid lacing.

Smells of ripe pears backed by mildly sweet malts and good amounts of clove.

Tastes very similar to how it smells. Sweet malts with Belgian candi sugar influences up front are joined almost immediately by large amounts of fresh pear flavors. Midway through the sip a mild spiciness comes out and carries through to a crisp ending.

Mouthfeel is good. It's got a solid thickness with active carbonation.

Drinkability is very good. I finished my glass quickly and could go for another.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this beer and thought it was a very good though not great beer for the style. Well worth a shot.

Serving type: on-tap

11-30-2009 22:11:46 | More by glid02

brownbeer

Missouri

3.88/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On-tap @ twilight grille

A- Burnt golden with a compact white head.

S- Rich in the nose. Toffee, candi sugar, banana, butterscotch/peanut brittle, vanilla ice cream.

T- Quite sweet, almost to much so. Banana split, worther's original with a hop bite and signifigant carbonation.

M&D- Better than most belgian goldens i've had but too sweet in the long run.

Serving type: on-tap

10-19-2009 19:21:31 | More by brownbeer