Lost Abbey The Angels Share

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

2008. 375 ml. Courtesy of Jake65. Ok, I’m well aware of the carbonation issues with this beer but it’s one I’ve wanted to try for a while now so I was still looking forward to it. First of all, the aroma is amazing. Brandy, toffee, molasses, plums, red licorice, oak, blend to make a wonderful scent. Deep brown color with some red tint and no surprise pours out with no head at all, even with a vigorous pour (hey, I can try!). A few lonely bubbles float around the edges. The lack of carbonation doesn’t at all kill this beer, it’s very tasty, but man with just a little it really would be world class (and perhaps almost worth the price). Warming, soothing, with some alcohol burn to let you know it’s there but otherwise gentle. After all the negative stuff on this beer I really thought I was going to bash it but not the case. No carbonation it’s still very good. Properly carbonated, I’d like to find out!

Vanilla/wood notes but a barley intensity in the aroma. Looks a brackish-brown, like pond water. A very sweet barleywine with a walnut finish. Overall strong, smooth, and syrupy. Notes: 2009 release at the Pints for Prostates/Denver Rare Beer Tasting at Wynkoop Brewing Co, 2009 Great American Beer Fest

Shared by DrBayern (Thanks Matt!!) at Ed’s soiree. Poured hazy dark brown with a small light brown foam, reminded me of fresh maple syrup. Deep vinous and malty aroma of dried fruit, red berries, nougat, vanilla with subtle distinct hop notes. Feels very harmonies. Full bodied and creamy flavour of dried fruit, dates, pepper, nougat and small notes of vanilla tones. Long finish with extremely well-hidden alcohol of dark chocolate, nuts, almond and sweet red berries. Exceptional beer, truly meets the hype.

Really big beer, but, I just need more than the vaguest hint of carbonation to make this work right. Poured with zero head. Color is opaque dark brown/black. Aroma is so decadently rich whiskey, malty, coffee, cocoa, sin, fecund earth, worked leather, turkish tobacco. and sinful love. Flav’s about the same. heady. Roasty and chocolate too. Killer. Man, what an expression of beer.

On Tap at The Dog and Pony (Renton WA): Ar: The first thing I think upon smelling my beer is "wow". Dark Fruit Seductively whafting up with chocolate and roasted notes. Ap: Very little head, no visible carbonation, black in color although a bit of light makes it through when held up. Ta: A big chocolaty mouthfeel of medium sweetness that starts in with the dried fruit flavors and quickly fills in with a semi-sweet chocolate that slowly fades to bittersweet, coffee, espresso notes. Very complex, and a beer that is still unfolding a minute after I put the glass down. Pa: full body, creamy, soft carbonation, with a long finish. Overall: One of the top 5 beers I have ever tasted, I love this beer. It is wonderfully complex and a real joy to drink.

The Beer Pimp Brian got this for DrBayern, who Graciously and Generously shared his bottle with us little people. Also present were Uncle Tom, Celticbrew, and the newbie’s, Lawyer Bob and The Boy Wonder Chris (who were probably ruined for future tastings by having such a fine beer at their first tasting with us!) The aroma gave off some alcohol but also raisen. Poured a dark brown but you could still get some light thru the glass. There was no head. The taste was SMOOTH! There was a nice hot alcoholy flavor in the malty caramel and vanilla mix. Served at Room Tempature made this beer GREAT!

750 ml cork and caged 2008 bottle. Okay we all now about the carbonation issues that Lost Abbey has had some I’m simply going to say this one was totally and completely flat and leave it at that. Aroma was great with the brandy up front but not in an overpowering way. Lots of sweet malt flavors, toffee, raisin, dark fruits, melted caramel, barrel and alcohol make up the remainder. Despite the lack of visible carbonation there is still a slight tingling in your mouth, probably from the 12.5% ABV, along with a medium body and a slightly syrupy mouthfeel. The flavor starts off lots of brandy and alcohol and finishes that way as well. In between however there are some grainy bread notes, caramel and toffee, raisin and oak. This is one good beer despite the carbonation issues and what a way to ring in my 1,500th rating just minutes before the Vikings/Panthers Sunday night game.

Bouteille de 750 ml chez David et Catherine. Édition inconnue, mais la bière était définitivement carbonée. Arômes très intenses de chocolat, de caramel décadent, de bourbon et de vanille. Robe brune et trouble, pas très belle, effervescence de moyenne à faible, légère mousse. Très maltée et sucrée en bouche, on retrouve beaucoup de caramel brûlé, du chocolat, des touches d’alcool fort et de fruits mûrs. Très complexe. Finale sucrée et assez douce, où l’alcool fait une présence discrète. À la fois intense et bien équilibré.