Lost Abbey Sinners 08

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

Pours a rich maroon color with a tan head. Smell is rich, sour cherry tartness, and maybe some brandy hidden in there too. Taste is creamy, with light carbonation and some sour cherry. A little bit rich for a sour ale for sure, and now that I notice, a bit high ABV for a sour also. Almost a chocolatey richness to it. Interesting blend of beers and flavors. Pretty easy drinking as the intense sourness is not there from the blend. Good, but I’d probably be fine with having it once more and wouldn’t lust after it after that.

12.7 OUNCES, corked & caged, sampled early September 2008: pours an incredible dark brown, looks black except when held up to a bright light, when brownish red hues are visible. Off-tan, creamy head...breaks down into small bubbles and leaves a thin ring of cream around the inside of my glass. Incredibly strong, dark black cherry aroma with metallic/iron accents, blueberry wisps, and hints of blood all wrapped up in a oaky smoke...it is almost like what you would smell wafting out of my Webber Kettle if I skewered overripe cherries with fresh blueberries, dipped it in blood and put oak chunks on the charcoal…it wouldn’t be so damn sinful without the blood. Creamy body with strong sour flavour – cherries mixed with red wine grapes, currants, and bitter tannins. The power of this beer for me is the complexity and the beautiful alignment with the ‘Sinners’ program…A dark mysterious beer that surely some sin was committed in order to make it so good...I commend the folks at Lost Abbey for taking such great care of their supporters and putting such effort into truly spectacular beer! Thank you!

12.7 fl oz bottle received as the July installment of the 2008 Lost Abbey Patron Sinners club. Corked and caged, opens with a pop. Pour is cordovan and ruby, with a one inch tan head. There is visible carbonation, and some floaties in the pour. Thick lacing on the sides of the tulip. Aroma of sour cherry fruit, sweet fruit, oak woodiness, Pinot Noir and faint alcohol harshness. Full, engaging nose. Taste starts with sour cherries (none of the fruit sweetness from the nose), then turns more towards the tannins and the oak wood of the barrel. Transition between the two flavors is smooth. There is a bit of vanilla sweetness near the end, though its very faint. Finish is smooth, the harsh alcohol of the nose is not present in the taste. Not nearly as drying as other Lost Abbey beers I have had. Palate is medium and a bit slick. Quite drinakble. Nice one.

From bottle at Lost Abbey before RBSG on 08/02/2008. Clear red mohogany body with a small off-white head. Lighy sour cherry aroma. Tart cherry flavor with hints of vinegar. Medium body with moderate carbonation.

Dark brown pour with a tan head. Aroma is rich and woody with lots of oak, vanilla, nuts, roast, sugar, and dark fruits. Flavor has a nice oaky/vanilla/wine/vinous thing going on that is well augmented by sugar, chocolate, and a pleasant sourness that isn’t over the top but rather adds to the overall beer. Nice sour/puckery feel with smooth oak. Overall a really, really good brew that makes me happy that I joined the sinners club this year!

bottle, very dark color with perfect crema head, nose is sour woody fruit, flaovr is incredible with layer upon layer of caramel, leather, berries, chocolate, red wine, and spice, very nice dry finish, thanks to Bu11seye for this one

Bottle. BIg thanks to Bu11zeye. Pours a beautiful dark, cloud, mahogany color with almost no head. Nose is super complex, I get notes of caramel, bacon, oak, horse blanket, raisins, tart fruit (green). The taste includes all of these elements as well and finishes with a ncie acidic sweet bite. Very good beer, and I am not a huge fan of sours.

Bottle thanks to Bu11zeye.....Pours a cloudy brown orange with off-white head. Aroma of citris and soured fruit, some funk. Flavor much the same but very complex, barnyard, cherries, other sour fruits and some dark fruits.....this beer is a complete mess and I love it!......