Lost Abbey Gift of the Magi

Bottle: Poured a copper amber with a thick white head. The aroma was sweet fruit and malts. The flavor was funky, earthy, fruity, malty, and sweet. Overall, quite a tasty brew from Lost Abbey.

750ml corked and caged; 2008 bottle. Clear amber/orange brown with some head. Fruity sweet notes wrapped with a touch of malt. Some very slight funk and hints of mild spice. Right about now, I am trying to figure out why I bought 3 bottles of this last year...hmm...okay. Slightly sweet and boozy upfront with some floral and spiciness on the back. Mostly pepper. Touches of wet wool blanket also, but mostly heat.

bottle. Someone shared this at the Houston RB Tasting in October. Pours a clear, reddish amber with white bubbles in lieu of head. Nose is of candied fruit and spice. Taste is is also of spices and candied fruit. By this point, I was fairly intoxicated, so did not have an in-depth observation. Mouthfeel was sweet and alcohol noticeable.

Bottle courtesy of bleeng. Clear reddish pour. Smells of cherry pits and is small and weak. Flavorful and sweet. Nice to say the least.

2008 bottle. The pour is a murky, coppery-dark amber color with an average, dense, frothy, yellowish head which is mostly lasting, leaving plenty of lasting froth and tight, Belgian lace. Nose is interesting, first noting floral and perfume almost creating a potpourri note, toasted caramel, coriander, lots of spice notes of nutmeg and ginger, light wisps of alcohol, basementy yeast, dried orange notes, maybe even a faint sprucey note. Flavor is similar with a solid malt backbone of more toasted caramel, similar floral and perfume notes, some fresh herb notes (rosemary, sage), coriander, dried oranges, dry nutmeg, and again very faint sprucey notes. Palate is moderately full, round, lightly dry, nearly lively, almost chewy; not typical for a BdG but quite pleasant. Finishes spicy with a moderate bitterness and light dryness; notes of lingering caramelly sugars, similar herb notes, lingering perfume, light pepper, and still light notes of spruce. Unlike any BdG I ever tried, but whatever style you would like to characterize this beer, it was very good. The perfumey/potpourri notes took some getting used to but actually provided some interesting complexity to an already good beer. So many things to list about this one, but in the end, it was incredibly complex, very drinkable, and completely unique. The alcohol was apparent in the nose but the malt complexity just swallowed the alcohol in the mouth, increasing the drinkability. Maybe it was the time I let it sit before popping the cork, but the hop notes were nowhere near overpowering as I have read in some ratings; moreover, the tart aspects of the beer seem to be very mild. Another winner from LA/PP.

750ml bottle at a tasting. nose is quite sweet with some hops and some peaches. Taste is hoppy, quite fruity and spicy. Maybe a slight hint of brett also.

Medium amber hue with a quickly dissipating head. Nose hints at unique spices, a bit of Brett funk, and some yeast. Flavor reveals much the same with added ’flat’ cola nut notes, but is unbalanced and drowned in alcohol. I typically welcome unique spicing and/or something new in general, but I seriously doubt I will ever bother with this one again. Too thin and medicinal at 10%. 10% is fine for barely wines and imperial stouts ... I prefer a biere de garde to be full-bodied and hang around 7%, but that is certainly just my opinion.

A 22oz bottle. The beer poured a soda and orange juice mixed color with a nice cream head. the small is a wet blanket and spices. the taste is very good with a seasonal spice and heat going down. Good carbonation. 6pk