Top Tastings 2008. A shorter version appeared on facebook January 2008.
ABV: 12.5%
Origin: San Marcos, California, USA
Website: www.lostabbey.com, www.portbrewing.com
Lost Abbey brewer Tomme Arthur. Pic: Port Brewing
Another rare treat on draught at the Great British Beer Festival, this extraordinary barrel aged beer has spent six months in Heaven Hill Wheat Whiskey barrels, rather than the brandy barrels used for the standard release. Lost Abbey is the range of very special beers created by Tomme Arthur, head brewer at Port Brewing, who is rapidly becoming one of the world’s most appreciated craft brewers. The name is a reference to whisky distilling — the “angels’ share” is the quantity of spirit that evaporates during maturation.
The beer emerges from the barrels black, with a bubbly yellow head, and an intense winy woody dark malt and whisky aroma heady with calvados and marzipan fumes. There’s a winy malty fruity spicy palate with notes not only of whisky but liquroice and a tartish tannic note, syrupy but balanced and very approachable, and a soothing fruity woody finish long developing with late nut, herb and root flavours. Probably my beer of the year.
Read more about this beer at ratebeer.com: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/lost-abbey-the-angels-share-bourbon-barrel/72798/
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