Lost Abbey Carnevale (2008)

Formerly brewed at Port Brewing/Lost Abbey
Style: Saison
San Marcos, California USA

Bottle. Head is initially small, fizzy/frothy, light brown, mostly diminishing. Body is clear dark amber. Aroma is lightly malty (toasted grain), lightly to moderately hoppy (flowers), lightly yeasty (basement), with notes of plastic, lemon, pear syrup, pepper. Flavor is moderately sweet, lightly acidic, lightly bitter. Finish is lightly to moderately sweet, lightly acidic, lightly to moderately bitter. Light to medium body, watery/oily texture, soft/lively carbonation. Disappointing. It’s got that slick, saccharine sweetness and Safeway-bag plastic whiff that a lot of the other Belgian-style Lost Abbey beers have. It’s a shame, really. Is the yeast strain to blame for these problems, I wonder?

The fact that the sun came out today for the first time in what seems like weeks is making me like this brew better than I probably otherwise would. It seems like a great summer ale. Pours a very light golden honey - slightly hazy, with a mid-sized pillowy head. A bubble-gum sweetness offsets the dusty, bready, yeasty malts in the aroma, and some livelier baking spices show through as well (cardamom comes to mind). Light fruits, also - peach and some mandarin. This is actually really nice. Some black pepper and mild hops come through in the flavor, but it’s still very sweet. Very light, refreshing - a bottle of this at the beach would be divine. Great mouthfeel, if not a bit too lively. I’m a fan, though - this is extremely drinkable!

Bright and clear golden beer with white foamy head. Floral, lemony, slightly skunked nose. Nice moderate bitterness and enjoyable floral backdrop. Subtle spiciness. Pretty tasty and refreshing.

Growler from brewery. Pours a murky yellowish orange with some light brown, resembles color of dried apricot. One finger of very white head. Nose is yeast and lemon essence. More of the same in the flavor with yeast, lemon, peach, orange peel, a little bit of pepper, and a hint of funk. A nice sweetness and well-balanced with the American hops. Some nice bitterness in the finish. Perhaps simple but it’s very pleasant and exceedingly drinkable. An excellent saison.

Bottle from a trade with WeeHeavySD. Pours cloudy gold with a off white head. Aroma of yeast, spices, and citrus. Flavor is similar. Well balanced. It has a sweet fruit flavor but also a little bit of funk as well. Solid Saison though.

Hazy golden color from bottle, with a thin, off white head. Yeasty nose with some spice and earthy notes in the nose. Spicy notes with lots of yeast, orange peel, earth and sweet malts. Easy drinking, with just a hint of funk. Accessible saison.

Had on tap at LA 2nite, pours apricot yellow body. Aroma of clove, banana, red pepper, mint zest, flowers, and lemon. Bright, sunny, funky, alive. Flavor is lightly nutty, with plenty of crisp hop bitterness of florals and pear skins; some brown spices, tarragon, and lots of bready yeasts. Palate is spritzy, pillowy, and medium in body; finishes sweetly with buttery pancake and some tartness of lemon juice. A lovely example; both delicate and generous. Thanks Molly~

Bottle. Pours a hazy amber, small off-white head. Aroma is yeast, fruit notes, maybe a touch of malt. Flavor is more of the same, yeast, fruit and malt, also touches of sourness and spice in the background. Finish is slightly dry.