Lost Abbey The Angels Share (Bourbon Barrel)

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

Serve in Snifter

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As much as I hate the fact that the price of this beer was raised 100%, I will say, it’s a fine beverage. This is not as good as the original first run of Angels share, but it’s a tad bit better than the last release of the Brandy version. The bourbon is ever-present, but there is a really nice clean finish with this beer. Still, this one stands to improve over time. I’m sure the next batch will go for $30 a piece and come in 5 ounce bottles, but hell, I stood in line for these bottles, I’d probably begrudgingly do it again.

Got a pint today at the release and also popped a bottle when I got home. Drink it at room temp! Pours very dark chocolatey brown, virtually black. Somewhat fizzy, light brown head, with decent retention, some lace. Smells of vanilla mostly with some bourbon and then oak notes in the background. When I first tasted the beer it was slightly chilled and the flavors were masked by the kind of bitter bourbon and alcohol flavors. As the brew warmed though, the vanilla and oak flavors really came forward to blend nicely with the bourbon. Very well balanced by the end of the glass. I would like to say it’s full bodied, but its not. Medium body, a little overcarbonated, in my opinion.

Tap at EBF 08. Pours the same as Brandy AS- deep murky woody brown with ruby highlights and a thin beige head. Aroma is syrupy sticky sweet with tons of dried fruits, raisin, plum, some apple, figs, along with sharp dark crystal malts- caramel- toffee and some light tar and chocolate- while as it warms the modest bourbon comes in - perhaps a bit stronger in character than the Brandy version. Flavor is strong, full, and syrupy like the original, has all the full malty character- fruity esters, figs, dates and smooth woody oaky bourbon- light maple syrup hints with lots of fruity dark sharp malts and malt syrup. Velvety smooth on the palate with a nice lingering woody bourbon character and some warming action from the alcohol. I probably liked this about the same as the Brandy version.

UPDATED: FEB 22, 2008 The test of a ball-buster of a good beer that stands on it’s own?.?.?.the aroma and flavor standing up to the whiskey barrel process - CHECK! This monster retains the cherry and date and plum elements - but carries them in sequence with the vanilla/coconut lead. Solid.

Bottle. Blackish beer with a huge tan head. Bourbon aroma with malt and a bit of chocolate. Bourbon flavor with malt, chocolate, vanilla, and oak. Fuller bodied. LIngering bourbon. Needs a bit of time. I like the regular version better as the bourbon starts to compete a bnit here without fully complementing. Still a great beer though.

Had at EBF. Very good beer. Bourbon came through slightly adding a very nice flavor that wasnt overwhelming.

UPDATED: FEB 29, 2008 Had at EBF Boston. Pours a dark amber with a off-white head. Aromas of bourbon , caramel and some dark fruits. Aroma describes the flavor with some chocolate also. Amazing Beer.

UPDATED: FEB 25, 2009 THIS IS A DRAFT RATING ONLY. What an amazing beer. Pours the same as the regular AS. Nice aroma and flavors with a faint bourbon undertone on the finish. Well done

(Draught) Pours a murky amber-dark brown with a spare beige head. Aroma of caramel, fruit, roastiness, vanilla, oak, toffee, and brown sugar. Flavor of bourbon, caramel, toffee, subtle fruit, bread, and some chocolate. Excellent!

on tap toronado barley wine fest 2008, strong burbon nose and flavor. This one is thick and takes a little time to get down but god damn is it good. It got better as it warmed up a little, giving off stronger bourbon notes. Very dark for a barley wine. Very strong. This beer will knock your socks off, definetely one of my favorite barley wines at the fest. This is an EPIC beer!!!!!