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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First of all, I am amazed at how many people have sampled this one. Secondly, my methods of procurement will remain a closely guarded secret. Thirdly, I sincerely hope that all eBay prospectors die in a fire. On to my review: Pour: Hazy deep brown with huge 4-finger tan head, a gigantic cork pop, and lacing that sticks more than a Freshman college chick dating a senior linebacker. Nose: Oaky, plummy malt, brown sugar, spicy yeast, mild hops, bourbon, port, blackberry Flavor: Initially oaky malty and caramelly, with plummy, blackberry, port, brown sugar, fig, mild cacao, but not tasting sweet, rather as a very well balanced oaky boubony beverage with the added brown sugary, malty, fig, and cognacy notes as subtle additions, and not as entitites overtaking the beer. Palate/Overall: The palate was as complex as I’ve ever quaffed, with intermingling flavors and an amazing balance. As I poured the last dregs of this, I briefly considered going onto eBay for another, but then I regained my ratebeer confidence and realized that I will never become one of those bottom-feeding scumbags, and I remembered that with the proper where-with-alll, I would see this one again. Still, if that is too optimistic, then I will see this beer in my dreams, right next to Christy Canyon.

Bottle sampled with the Mad_indian. Pours dark with a large pillow of a beige head. Aroma of oak, bourbon, caramel, molasses, and vanilla absolutely perfect. The flavor is sweet, molasses, caramel, chocolate vanilla, bourbon, oak all perfectly blended. excellent body, alcohol is hidden quite well. Excellent brew.

Bottle from ebay purchase, sampled with stegosaurus. WOW !! Thats really all I need too say. Brown perfect pout with long lasting 1 and a half finger head. Aromas of heavenly wood, bourbon, caramel, vanilla and alcohol. The taste was all these things but blended to absolute perfection. Possibly the best thing I have ever tasted. I sported a woodrow wilson and the cerimonial bottle hump was done.

UPDATED: MAY 5, 2009 Wow all I can say is that I have a new favorite beer. This beer is incredible. Me being a fan of bourbon beers from the get go this beer does not disappoint. Oak,Bourbon,Vanilla,Carmel, all rolled into the smoothest palette drinkable beer i’ve ever had the pleasure of tasting.With that said i’ve never given a perfect 5 but this beer is totally worthy. All the flavors blend together so smoothly and perfectly that I recommend to anyone trying this rare treat at least once and deciding for themselves. But as for me this beer sits atop the throne!

I’m a sinner. Dark brown with a creamy tan head. Chocolate, bourbon, vanilla, and oak aroma. Initial taste of chocolate and bourbon, followed by molasses and vanilla, transitioning to a citrus and oak taste, and finishing with a brown sugar taste and alcohol warmth. Excellent.

On tap at Stumbling Monk in Seattle. Overall, this beer was perfect for a bourbon barrel barleywine.

Bottle. 12 oz. Pours a gloriously deep, sinfully dark root beer brown opaque with absolutely no head; motor-oil slick surface. Aroma is a knock out: caramel, vanilla bean, cinnamon, toffee, chocolate, molasses, maple syrup, brown sugar, roasted malts, marshmallow, coffee beans, and light touches of giner and honey. Full, luxuriously rich body with a firm, sturdy, boozy palate that slides across the tongue and eases itself warmly down the throat and into the belly. Finishes with insane sweetness and booziness. This is hands down, flat out one of the best beers ever brewed. Classy, strong, bold, and fundamentally well-crafted brew. Perfect.

UPDATED: JUN 4, 2007 Tasted 2 samples of this at the brewery, first anniversary party on Cinco de Mayo. Wonderful smells of Bourbon, vanilla bean, and sweet cherries. Tastes of Bourbon, vanilla, raisins, very little alcohol in the finish. Freakin awesome!

Draft at Jerry’s barrel event. Dark mahogany with scant, tan head / Nose of fresh caramel, dark fruit, liquor barrel, chocolate, and vanilla / Full body, thick and chewy, some heat, sweet with excellent balance and lingering, bitter finish lurking underneath / Flavors of fresh caramel, raisins, prunes, cocoa, coconut, vanilla, and bourbon barrel / What a nitpicker - .1 point deduction for heat.

UPDATED: MAR 30, 2008 Enjoyed this one at the 1st Anniversary at the brewery. My favorite of the day. Pours a clear dark brown color with a medium head. Tastes of carmel and vanilla with raisins and figs and finishes with sweet malt.