Lost Abbey The Angels Share (Bourbon Barrel)

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

2008 Release 12.7 oz bottle poured into a snifter - thanks to Jake65. I have really been looking forward to The Angels Share... and it really did not disappoint... the hype surrounding this beer is proven to be true... I just don’t know about the price tag. I really don’t think a 750ml bottle of Angels Share is worth $30... I would rather have $30 of other (better) beer than 1 bottle of Angels Share... but that’s just me. Having said that... this one is loaded with carbonation (as others have mentioned) and takes away from the beer for the first half of the glass.... huge 3 finger tan head which slowly came down a bit to 2 fingers - deep deep brown / light black in color. A true beauty... needless to say. Huge bourbon aromas seep out of the bottle and glass. At first the carbonation really takes hold of the upper palate... letting the bourbon notes fill the mouth, while creating a thinner body. As the beer warms and reaches the lower portion of the glass, the carbonation dissipates and The Angels Share becomes something much greater. The body is stronger and more alive with flavors of deep dark fruits, some oak, lots of vanilla and of course bourbon. A really strong finish completes this one with more bourbon and a slight alcohol burn. I am so glad I got to have a bottle of this and look forward to having the Brandy Barrel version one day.

Two versions on tap at the Bistro festival. Confusion reiagned surpreme all day: which one was the 2006 and whihc one was the 2007? The "2006" was rather rough around the edges, strong flavors of bourbon and alcohol heat, some wood and some molasses, needs to mautre, so I guess this was in reality the 2007. The 2006 was smooth, more subtle bourbon notes, I get some caramel, oak and some darek fruit. Ratings apply to this one.

bottle courtesy of mgumby: pours a good dark caramel brown with a decent creamy off white head. aroma is bourbon, slight fresh herbs or grass, some caramel, not as over powering as i would think. flaovur is exceptionally smooth, good dark caramel malts alittle roast, good oak and bourbon excellent.

375 ml 2008 bottle from Southbay. Poured similar to the brandy version....dark brown with no head....couldn’t coax it even a little bit. Great nose.....boooourbon, a little chocolate, dark fruits like raisins, toffee. The flavor is equally strong in alcohol, roasted malt, some wood, and a great sweetness. I just wish it had a little fizz. Definitely one of the few beers I enjoyed despite the flatness. I look forward to the next batch!

12.7oz. corked and caged bottle from Sinners release. Opens with a loud pop and some fizz, but pours a beautiful deep ruby brown with a foamy tan head that leaves nice sheets of lace. The aroma literally explodes from the bottle and pour, releasing rich vanilla, toffee, caramel, bourbon, oak, dark fruits, and a host of warming, enjoyable, and amazingly blended others that are too numerous to identify; a phenomenal aromatic experience. The flavor integrates the nose very well, with more vanilla, toffee/caramel, dark fruits, bourbon and oak. The bourbon is well integrated and not overly done. Only slight warming, otherwise the alcohol is well hidden. The only notable detraction is that its a bit over carbonated right now. VERY drinkable, undoubtably incredible, and the only real disappointment in the entire experience is that it ended...

Bottle pours very dark brown color with tan head that laces and lasts the entire glass. Aroma is bourbon, oak, vanilla, and earth tones. Has a heavy body. Flavor is oak, bourbon, alcohol, caramel malts add a nice sweetness. Overall, this is a brew that lives up to the hype. I had read reports that this was beginning to sour so I decided to open it. Not with this one. Not a single sour note. The flavors meld together nicely. This would have been even better given more time.

The cork flew out of this 375ml and then the beer erupted. Dark brown, it looks just like the brandy version. Nice bourbon and wood smell. Tastes like cola and vanilla coupled with bourbon, some licorice. This is a very flavorful beer and the alcohol was well hidden. I preferred the profile on the brandy barrel version a little more but this was still very good. Serving type: bottle Reviewed on: 04-28-2008 00:57:07

(bottle, thanks for sharing BDR!) Pours a muddy dark brown with a decent sized tan head that sticks around. The bourbon is definitely present in the aroma, but does not completely dominate. Aromas of brown sugar, light oak, vanilla, and some raisin. The taste was a little less pronounced than the aroma, with some vanilla, dark fruit, and oak flavors that yield to an oak and bourbon finish. The bourbon again does not dominate the flavor. Medium mouthfeel. A good example of barrel aging done well.