Devotion Ale - The Lost Abbey

Flounder57

Massachusetts

4.19/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Served in a pint glass at The Avenue in Allston.

Appearance: This beer poured a small head that reduced to a thin layer. It is a pale orange/copper color with good clarity and bubbles coming up through the glass. Nice lacing on the glass as the beer was drank.

Smell: spicy yeast, pale and bready malts, banana, clove, tropical flavors.

Taste: Same as above. Nice peppery and banana flavors. Mild hop bitterness. Very tasty. Sweet pale and bready malts too.

Mouthfeel: Chewy, low to medium carbonation, medium bodied, and quite the treat.

Overall: Wicked BPA. Happy to be enjoying this beer on draft on a sad day.

Serving type: on-tap

04-17-2013 00:15:13 | More by Flounder57

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

First had: on tap at Monk's, Philly, PA

Hazy apricot pour, with a small layer of white head. Aroma of stone fruits, light citrus, yeast. Taste was similar to the aroma, notes of peach, apple, pear, essence of citrus, grassy, bready malts and yeast, with a slight herbal/citrus hop presence. Crisp and drinkable, about light-medium in body. A more "Americanized" version of a BPA, downplaying the blatant yeasty qualities a bit. Quite nice overall.

Serving type: on-tap

04-16-2013 19:47:28 | More by Rifugium

Bouleboubier

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A: near-clear gold - wispy/cottony white head that leaves a frothy cap and moderate lace

S: musty and spicy yeast aromas - lightly floral - some light-toasted continental pale malt

T: comes across like a maltier, less-bold Duvel (and doesn't most domestic, light-colored Belgian-style ales have more of a malt presence?...) - mellow enough fusel spice - kind of a graham-cracker or Pils malt undercurrent - feel like I'm getting some Champagne-like, musty grape skin notes as well

F: light-medium body up front - smooth, satisfying, light drop to the finish - spicy warmth on the palate on up through the back of the nose

O: really good take on a Belgian pale ale - certainly one of the better domestic interpretations I've sampled

Serving type: on-tap

01-24-2013 05:06:58 | More by Bouleboubier

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.11/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Capone’s. Served in a sample glass. Crisp and clean. Nice citrus and a bit of white pepper. A bit spicy. Light pilsner malt. Subdued yet complex. Light and dry.

Serving type: on-tap

01-09-2013 12:45:26 | More by Thorpe429

Murrhey

Montana

3.33/5  rDev -14%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Poured on-tap at The Lost Abbey in San Marcos, Calif. Reviewed from notes.

A- Half a finger white head. Little retention. Pale gold color.

S- Wheat, citrusy hops. Tasty and sweet smelling.

T- Sweet and some hoppy bitterness. Grapefruit, a bit sour but not too much.

M- Smooth and nice carbonation.

O- Middling beer, but drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

11-16-2012 04:21:22 | More by Murrhey

jethrodium

California

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap. Pours a light hazy golden amber with a two finger white head that has good retention and leaves a decent amount of lacing on the glass. The aroma is earthy with a light mineral note. There is also a bit of pear and apricot. Not terribly complex, but quite nice. The taste is dry and earthy with light pear and a hint of green apple. The finish is dry and funky. Medium body. Medium carbonation. Solid beer.

Serving type: on-tap

11-01-2012 05:19:00 | More by jethrodium

elNopalero

Texas

4.18/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This pours a straw-golden color with a glowing haze and foam retention.

Nice aroma, similar to a saison in terms of its estery floral notes.

The flavor is reminiscent of a Belgian pale ale, with a nice estery flavor along with some hop spice and bittering. I get floral notes, a bit of zestiness, and some hints of cinnamon too.

Serving type: on-tap

08-27-2012 19:52:27 | More by elNopalero

Aml42000

Washington

3.45/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A- Deep golden color with a thick white head and sticky lacing.

S- The main component is yeast/biscuit, but some lemon aromatics as well.

T- Sweet, pit fruit on the initial sip. More tart citrus as it moves through the mid palate. A bit muddled.

M- Very crisp and clean and the high carbonation offsets the sweet flavors.

O- A very approachable Belgian Pale. Some Saison qualities as well. I'd order or buy this again.

Serving type: on-tap

07-12-2012 02:02:35 | More by Aml42000

FosterJM

California

3.73/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

1249th Review on BA
Draft to Libbey 3010 (I’m guessing)
16oz

@Bj’s Chino Hills

App- A darker orange with some dark highlights running throughout. The bottom has a bit of yellow in it mixed with some gold. The beer is fairly dense with not a lot of clarity. A light ½ finger of head formed that was almost pure white and stuck around for a little bit. The cling was very stunning as well. No carb issues on this beer.

Smell- A very light and grainy Belgian Pale Ale. A slight aroma of the yeast is found and then is gone. The aromatics are mostly light grass with a little bit of earthy hops and some thick caramel. Smelled a little thick in the middle and as it warmed a little bit. More soft hops in the finish towards the bottom.

Taste- A light and refreshing beer for a hot day. This however was a overcast and cloudy day in So. Cal. With lunch this was paired with a mixed green salad and a chicken pesto flatbread pizza. Beer opens with a bouquet of semi-peppery yeast and hops combo with a lot of grass and earth behind it. Middle comes along and adds a touch of bitter to the party and the finish is more of the yeast/hops combo. It’s pretty tasty with some light and thick points but overall enjoyable.

Mouth- A bit light on the finish and a tad too yeasty/pepper spicy. Left me wanting to take a few sips too many to get the lingering flavors to dissipate. The body is thick and light and a medium yeasty carbonation level.

Drink- Overall an enjoyable beer but I found the mouth feel to be a bit lacking for me. A bit too across the board vs. uniform and the flavor retention just was a bit off to me. The yeast did a good job of tying things together but left me drinking too much water like I said.

Serving type: on-tap

05-03-2012 03:18:23 | More by FosterJM

Hopdaemon39

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had on tap at Lord Hobo- pours a pretty clear golden color with a 1.5 finger head, minimal retention, and very nice paving.

Smell is a little tart plus some earthy yeast and a little pale malt.

Taste is consistent with smell- a little tartness a first, followed by a nice pale malt sweetness, finishing with earthy yeast.

Mouthfeel is very light and lightly carbonated. Good beer- nothing exceptional.

Serving type: on-tap

04-09-2012 00:33:23 | More by Hopdaemon39

UCLABrewN84

California

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the ColLAboration beer fest at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles, CA.

Pours a murky honey orange with a foamy orange-white head that settles to a thin cap on top of the beer. Foamy swaths of lace form on the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt/grain, herbal hops, and some slightly funky aromas. Taste is very much the same. There is a mild bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp and clean mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer that is very refreshing and tasty.

Serving type: on-tap

02-27-2012 04:29:00 | More by UCLABrewN84

beerandcycling88

Washington

2.98/5  rDev -23%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

On tap at brouwers.

A pours a clear orange topped with a large foamy head.

S lots of tart apple with some light herbal notes.

T a very strong bitter hop note with a bit of earth and some apple like fruit.

M light and well carbonated.

Overall not bad, just not spectacular.

Serving type: on-tap

02-10-2012 20:12:05 | More by beerandcycling88

Philousa

California

3.9/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Imbibed on tap at Lost Abbey's tasting room 12/31/2011.

Poured a cloudy golden color with foamy whit head that leaves good lacing on the glass. Fruity banana esters and a little lemon in the aroma. Spicy Belgian yeast with a surprisingly strong Belgian pale malt backbone. Very classically Belgian pale in the nose. Nutty spice with lemon zest flavors start things off. Bitter pale barley malt follows with grassy hop oil and a bright spice flavor from the yeast. It ends like a hopped Saison. Very interesting. This feels a bit acidic, but not too much. medium mouthfeel with a dry finish.

This really grew on me. At first I didn't think this was anything special, but I noticed the complex flavors in the beer due to the malt and yeast. This, combined with the strong hop flavor, won me over. The flavors of a Belgian Pale Ale and a dry hopped American Pale Ale blended very well, and neither stole the show. A great twist on an old world classic.

Serving type: on-tap

01-03-2012 02:11:35 | More by Philousa

ehammond1

California

3.65/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

On Tap

Churchill's Pub & Grille
San Marcos, CA

A clear golden yellow with a thin white head that leaves the glass messy with sticky cling.

A combination of bread, mild yeast, flowers, and a bit of bright citrus make up the aroma.

Slight Belgian yeast tang and a bit of spice present in flavor. A bit of sweet fruit and caramel malt but a very mild tasting beer in nearly every regard.

Medium mouthfeel with high carbonation.

An easy drinking though unspectacular Belgian pale.

Serving type: on-tap

11-18-2011 21:28:28 | More by ehammond1

dansmcd

Australia

3.9/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Hazy, light golden shade with a retentive creamy white head with a lasting lace.

S - Floral in the nose, spicy, yeasty.

T - Peach and citrus to begin, then comes the herbal notes and clove spiciness.

M - Low carbonation, medium body. Typical of the style.

O - Very easy drinking pale ale, characteristically Belgian.

Serving type: on-tap

10-02-2011 23:54:10 | More by dansmcd

HopHead84

California

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

9/18/2011

On tap at Lost Abbey.

A: Bright orange with an inch of soapy froth. Great retention and lots of lacing.

S: Floral and grassy hops with peppery phenolics. The hops are expressive and bright. Citrus is redolent of orange and pear. Malt is cracker and bread.

T: Bready malt with a lower moderate bitterness. There's a pervasive floral presence with spicy notes. Grassiness blends with pepper-like phenols. I get orange and a little melon.

M: Lower medium in body with an upper moderate carbonation.

Overall: A refreshing and highly drinkable hoppy Belgian Pale Ale.

Serving type: on-tap

09-19-2011 04:19:15 | More by HopHead84

mactrail

California

3.05/5  rDev -21.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Simple beer flavors that take an unpleasant dark turn along the way. No hint of malty sweetness, and it has a nose like concrete dust. Definitely on the sour side. Dull amber in the tulip with fairly flat mouthfeel. I wouldn't say it has any Belgian flavors.

Trying hard to find some pleasure in this. Seems like yet another peculiar but slightly unpleasant experiment from Lost Abbey, but maybe risk-taking is the point.

Update: tasted 01/02/2011 also on tap. Has a Saison character but deteriorated into a bitter swamp. Harsh and unforgiving. Thin body and sharper as you taste. I was too generous the first rating.

Serving type: on-tap

08-27-2011 05:33:04 | More by mactrail

KAP1356

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at PJ Whelihan's in Blue Bell. Presented in a pint glass...

A - Pours a hazy golden-orange color. Nice fluffy white head about 2 fingers thick slowly recedes to a film

S - Lemons, citrus, belgian yeast, some hop presence and a good bit of spice on the nose. Nice floral notes as well.

T - Pretty spicey right off the bat. Floral flavors mixed with citrus flavors (orange, lemon zest). Some straw flavors come out along with yeasty, breadiness.

M - Medium bodied beer with a nice sharp crispness to it. Moderately carbonated.

O - Not bad. A bit spicy for my liking, but was crisp and refreshing after a round of golf.

Serving type: on-tap

07-14-2011 13:44:12 | More by KAP1356

xnicknj

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

on tap at devils den

Pours a hazed golden orange, large fluffy head, eventually fades completely, patchy lacing left on the glass.

Some floral hope notes in the nose, yeast essence, light citrus, soft fruit and orange sweetness.

Slightly bitter up front, surprisingly decent hop profile. Floral with citrus notes, orange peel and slight lemon. Notes of straw and wheat with Belgian yeast. Finishes hoppy with sweetness and barely any alcohol.

Fuller medium body, slightly higher carbonation, a little creamy, pretty smooth on the tongue. Nice drinkable BPA, good flavor and refreshing on the senses, a little light on aroma though.

Serving type: on-tap

07-13-2011 02:55:07 | More by xnicknj

eric5bellies

Australia

3.93/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Drank on Tap at Mad Monk, Fremantle.

A - Pours a hazy Golden colour with a nice creamy head that retains well and laces

S - Plenty of herbal spice and some yeast and sweetness

T - Up front some citrus fruits and peach, followed by some spicyness and grains., nice mild boozy finish.

M - Light to medium body and low carbonation.

O - A nice stab at a Belgian beer, but still lacks authenticity

Serving type: on-tap

04-18-2011 12:54:54 | More by eric5bellies

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On-Tap at The Hulmeville Inn, I have been passing this beer up for quite some time.

Devotion ale in the glass looks pale like a Belgian ale, bright yellow with some lighter shades on the sides, nice amount of suds, semi stick. The nose is really spicy with a certain yeast strain and it is piled on with earthy aroma hops. a tight biscuit type malt as well. I get alot of spice with some small traces of tropic fruit, reminds me of a bigger version of Redemption. Pear and apple with some malt breads and a spicy finish. Feel is less tan medium with an OK drinkability. Carb is no problem since it's on tap, never a problem in that arena off the tap. I liked this but it fell a bit short for me.

Serving type: on-tap

04-04-2011 01:20:37 | More by onix1agr

charlzm

California

4.22/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Consumed February 19th, 2011 at Bier Academy, Santa Clarita, CA.

Beer is a hazy, honey-colored affair topped with an extremely clingy, off-white foam head two fingers tall.

Nose is floral hops and soft, powdery yeast.

Flavor is fruity, slightly herbal a little sweet, with a subtle edge of tangy wheat. Yeast as in nose. Honey, possibly clover. Some bitterness on the finish.

Medium-bodied with proper carbonation.

One of the better Lost Abbey beers I have had.

NOTE: there was some confusion in the noisy bar as to what this beer actually was. It may have been Carnivale. Will check with bar and move review if incorrect.

Serving type: on-tap

02-22-2011 19:19:22 | More by charlzm

Dijeriduster

California

4.05/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

$3 for a full pint at West Coast Tavern, North Park, SD Not in a nice tulip but hey its 3 bucks!

A - Very clear slightly orangy yellow with wonderful dense two finger head. Lacing present.

S - Nice balance of Belgian yeast character and hops. Some bready malt stuff happening but not much, as befits the style.

T - Tangy Belgian yeast matches the hops flavour well. Malts are there with a slight breadiness, just enough to provide balance.

M - A little more full bodied then the appearance would make you think. Higher carbonation is great too.

D - Great balance of malt, yeast and hops making this very sessionable. Better on tap then in the bottle IMO.

Serving type: on-tap

02-11-2011 18:14:36 | More by Dijeriduster

glid02

Georgia

3.9/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at the Brick Store during the LA/Port kick-off.

Pours a slightly hazy deep golden color with a one-finger white head. The head recedes into a wispy layer on top leaving solid lacing.

Smells of light malts with moderate amounts of dry pears and hints of earthy notes.

Tastes very similar to how it smells. Mildly dry light malt flavors kick things off and are joined quickly by ripe pear flavors. Hints of grassiness come into play midway through the sip, carrying through to a mildly bitter ending.

Mouthfeel is good. It's got a nice thickness with smooth carbonation.

Drinkability is also good. I finished my glass without a problem and could have another.

Overall this beer seemed rather one-dimensional for a Belgian of any style, although there was nothing about it that I found disagreeable. Not worth seeking out but not worth avoiding either.

Serving type: on-tap

01-22-2011 17:02:23 | More by glid02

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

3.78/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured on-tap at the Port/Lost Abbey Brewery. The beer presents in a musky, golden color with no head. No strong or outfront smells to the beer, but some hints of malty notes. The beer has malty and fresh hop flavors, with a finish more similar to lagers. Oddly enough, the beer has a mouthfeel similar to a blonde; round and full in mouth. The lager-esque finish is very crisp, and while typical for a pale, it is very different following the robust mouthfeel.

Serving type: on-tap

12-29-2010 04:25:45 | More by GarthDanielson