Lost Abbey Red Barn Ale

Brewed by Port Brewing/Lost Abbey
Style: Saison
San Marcos, California USA

A clear golden colored beer, with a big, thick, foamy white head.The aroma of sweet malts, fruits and some sourness. The taste is malty, sparkling fruity and a little sour. There is some bitterness from grassy hops. The aftertaste is bitter, a little sweet with some sour.

On tap, from brewery tasting. Aroma displayed green apple, orange, champagne, and brett. Flavors start soft, build with musty fruit, then crescendo with brett and yeast. All in all, this is a less spicy, and more sweet-fruity saison compared with Carnevale Ale.

Original review date 10/5/2008... 750 corked and caged with muted pop - into the Ommegang chalice. Uniform, natural honey haze slightly obscuring sparse-to-moderate carbonation rising to thin, 1/2 finger head that’s almost bluish-wite with tight bubbles dissipating quickly, leaving a nice, austere lacing with sediment levels. Bountiful, moderately soapy floral hops with almost creamy white grapes, pears, maybe cantaloupe and perhaps heartier sweet dried fruits...dates maybe? Profound yeast electricity and husky, light, dry malt provide a bright, sharp backbone. With warmth there’s even a faint hint of horse blanket on deep background. Not sure if a Saison nose gets better than this. I don’t think it does. The clean and dry maltiness works in Beautiful Chemistry with the carbonation and huge yeast electricity to provide a solid backbone for the very subtle melon tones and extremely faint spicing (coriander, maybe a little clove with warmth). Mild acidic aftertaste, but even a pinch of saltiness brings out an even deeper malt profile resembling heavier Belgian offerings (faint gingerbread reminiscent of a Quad in extremely tiny doses) while maintaining its ups. Even after some time, carbonation strength provides brightness against austere malt depth. Fruits and spices round out an excellent palate presence. Quite complex and profound. This is EXTREMELY enjoyable as something to savor even though it is of quite light body. Sit back, relax and contemplate the complexity of this wonderful offering.

750 mL bottle. Light amber golden slightly cloudy pour with a nice thick off white head. Aroma of bread and earthy spices. Taste of yeast, oranges, bread pepper and faint hops with an overall earthy, slightly bitter taste. Loved it.

750 ml bottle shared by shigadeyo. Pours a slightly hazy golden color with a medium off white head. The aroma is bready malts, somewhat fruity (lemon zest), with a large spicy, herbal character that pays homage to Fantome. The flavor is more herbs and spices, yeast, biscuity malt, lemon citrus, ginger, and pepper. I enjoyed this quite a bit. Once again, the regular line up impresses while some of the special beers are beginning to disappoint.

Bottle, bought @ Ølbutikken, Cph.
Pours clear golden with a giant, frothy, white head. Nice barnyard-y nose. Ginger is present, some lemons, a touch of beach leaves, sweet biscuity malts, fruity hops. Medium carbonation, super lovely dry mouthfeel. Flavour is crisp, really elegant. There is a fine bready and biscuity malt base. A high hops dose on top. And a well-balanced spiciness with ginger, cloves, oranges. In the far finish, the yeasty peppers take over and lingers with a bit of viniousness. This is really lovely.

Clear, orange-gold color. Soft fruity nose of apples and citrus. Taste is somewhat tart with some sweetness on the back-end. Light Belgian fruity esters, some citrus, and light bitterness. Crisp carbonation with a slick mouthfeel. It’s well-made, no doubt, but in the end doesn’t really match up with my particular tastes.

750 mL bottle from Liquor Mart in Boulder, CO (purchased October 2008). Pours golden yellowish-orange with a thick, creamy white head. Aroma of yeast, bread, and citrus. A slightly sour nose is present. Beautifully balanced flavor. A very nice saison.