hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Salvation

Tap to rate

Fruity and spicy notes from the Belgian yeast meet chocolate and raisin flavors, well balanced, with a lingering dry finish. Russian River suggests it for a cold winter night, paired with heartier dishes like stews and roasts, and also with chocolate desserts. Untappd files it as a Belgian Strong Dark Ale at 9.9% ABV.

ABV
9.9%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Roasted bitterness
SRM
deep amber20
PaceSipper
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
fruitychocolatespicy
fruity
chocolate
spicy
dark fruit
bready
yeasty
Aroma
Belgian yeast character dominates, delivering spicy phenolics and fruity esters that blend seamlessly with rich chocolate and dried dark fruit notes.
not found:hoppy,caramel,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Salvation

◎ Appearance

Deep mahogany to dark brown in color, with excellent clarity and a dense, persistent head that leaves fine lacing down the glass. The viscous quality suggests the beer's substantial alcohol and extract content. Carbonation is moderate, appropriate for the style.

deep mahoganyexcellent claritypersistent head

◌ Aroma

Belgian yeast character dominates, delivering spicy phenolics and fruity esters that blend seamlessly with rich chocolate and dried dark fruit notes. A subtle bready, malty undertone emerges as the beer warms, with hints of caramel complexity and a touch of alcohol warmth evident in the nose.

spicy phenolicsdark fruit esterschocolate maltyeasty complexity

◐ Taste

The palate opens with sweet malt and raisin character, balanced by gentle spice from the yeast and a moderate, refined bitterness (25 IBU) that never dominates. Chocolate flavors meld with the fruit in the mid-palate, creating a rich, full-bodied mouthfeel. The high alcohol (9.9% ABV) is well-integrated, contributing warmth without harshness.

chocolatedark raisinbalanced bitternessfull-bodied

◑ Finish

Dry finish with lingering dark fruit and chocolate notes that fade slowly. The alcohol warmth persists gently on the palate, leaving a sophisticated, slightly warming aftertaste that invites another sip.

dry finishlingering chocolatewarming aftertaste
86
hopIQ score
Aroma
87
Taste
88
Appearance
84
Finish
82
Serve at 12–16°C

Warmer than most — 12–14°C. The fruity esters, spice and warming alcohol need room to breathe.

Goblet

The wide mouth and heavy base promote head formation and channel rich aromatics toward the nose. Traditional for Belgian strong ales.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Salvation

More from Russian River Brewing Company

Apical Dominance
Beatification
Blind Pig IPA
Blind Pig IPA
West Coast IPA
6.25%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →
Bring Back Brewer's Gold
Bring Back Brewer's Gold
Hazy IPA
6.5%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →
Citra Flash Mob
Citra Flash Mob
IPA
7%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →
Consecration
Damnation
Damnation
Belgian Strong Golden Ale
7.5%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Defenestration
Defenestration
American IPA
6.5%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →

About Belgian Strong Dark

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Belgian Strong Dark?

Belgian Strong Dark is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Belgian Strong Dark

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same fruity, chocolate, dry character as Salvation will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

FEATURED IN

Compare with another beer →