Gift Of The Magi - The Lost Abbey

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This poured out as a muddy looking amber colored beer. The head on top was a light tan color. The smell of this beer gave off some soft dark fruit aromas as well as some Belgian yeast. Some bread-like aromas were on the nose also. The taste of the beer was a little on the sweeter side which wasn't too bad, there were more spicy fruit flavors in there also. The mouthfeel of the beer was medium bodied and nicely carbonated. Overall I thought this beer was pretty good. I would probably drink it again.

Serving type: on-tap

06-02-2012 00:43:34 | More by Knapp85

BostonHops

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

appropriately, enjoyed christmas day. (review from notes). shared bomber.

pours a hazy amber/brown tone with big two-finger plus creamy head. the pour was not the best, but i didn't want to start a christmas altercation. nice retention, lacing.

nose is a nice bouquet headlined by caramel malts, some fruity notes, spice, and a touch of funk. flavor follows the aroma with a sweeter, fruiter feel out front becoming more earthy by the finish, again with spice and shades of funk. very tasty, flavorful brew. 10% ABV well hidden.

medium-bodied with some crispness; medium carbonation. very drinkable for such a big beer.

originally reviewed: 01-03-2011

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2012 21:14:52 | More by BostonHops

portia99

Massachusetts

4.35/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml bottle (2008 release) poured into a Lost Abbey stemmed glass.

A - An absolutely brutally difficult to remove cork finally gave up and released a nice pop of carbonation. Pours a crystal clear deep amber color that trends towards orange on the color palate. A finger of foam cap, pale tan in color sits on top of the beer for a minute or so and falls to a thick skim coat with mild lacing on the glass. Really good looking beer.

S - Very spicy Belgian yeast aromas here mixed in with Brett-y funk. Cloves, black pepper, tropical oranges, mild caramel, earthy brett has taken hold of this and added a really great extra layer to the aroma.

T - Oh yeah...really Brett-y flavors too...earthy funk up front, a bit of barnyard (especially noticeable on the exhale), spicy too - black peppery and clovey. Hints of sweet malt, lower level but noticeable hop bitterness.

M - Thinnish medium body with a mid-level carbonation too. Funky and earthy from start to finish, spicy, a bit of booze. Brett has really done its job here...really taken hold nicely.

O - I'm gonna stop short of calling this truly comparable to Boulevard's Saison Brett...but it is the first thing I can think of to compare this to. Bought a couple of these bottles on clearance and glad I did. I remember this beer being decent when fresh, but 4 years of age have helped this tremendously. This is really brett-y in a very good way. Alcohol is noticeable at 10%, but actually kept in check pretty well. Gonna have to go back to the store I got these and hope they still have a couple more of these left.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2012 23:02:54 | More by portia99

SHODriver

California

3.58/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: pours a coppery brown with a large and rocky beige head that does not retain well
S: smells of spice, pale malt, some funk, and a slight sour note as well
T: tastes of spice, slightly fruity and some lightly toasted malt, funk comes on toward the end and the finish is fairly yeasty with a little bit of fruitiness
M: Heavy carbonation but not overly prickly. I could feel the beer bubbling against the roof of my mouth. A bit on the thin side
O: Not bad but not great. A solid beer and a steal for 3.99

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2012 05:34:18 | More by SHODriver

Philousa

California

3.13/5  rDev -18.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Imbibed on tap at Harry's Hofbrau on 2/10/12.

Poured an opaque, slightly darker than pale color with a cherry tinge. Not much head to speak of. What's left on the glass sinks into the drink. Very bready nose with fruity esters. Sweet, subdued fruit. Strawberry was the first that came to mind. Taste starts with light malt and aforementioned fruit, but is knocked out quickly by bittering hops. Fruit is still with the hops, keeping it light. The feel is balanced in viscosity with some acidic and harsh alcohol feel. Balanced finish.

I think the alcohol content kept this beer back. The alcohol burn took away from the light feel that would have made this brew stand out from the rest. The aroma seemed subdued for some reason as well. An interesting beer, but I'd go with an old standby over this one.

Serving type: on-tap

02-19-2012 18:33:38 | More by Philousa

chadmoe1

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

From notes on 1/3/12 (first beer in 2012!)

A -- Brown with 3/4" white head, slow dissipation; lots of lacing

S -- Malty, boozey, stone fruit, Brett horsey-ness but not overwhelming

T -- Dry and malty, then long sharp aftertaste; toasty (slightly roasty) flavors with little hop contributions

M -- High carb, dry

O -- Really cool beer though maybe not what I've had with other Biere de Gardes. Definitely strong with all kinds of malty flavors. Brett is not overpowering -- a good beer for those interested in trying some Brett flavors.

Bottle, Russian River snifter

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2012 12:59:28 | More by chadmoe1

DovaliHops

California

3.25/5  rDev -15.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear, dark amber color with a medium, off-white head that disappears quickly. Scent is very malty with some farmhouse aroma and wild yeast...brett? Some burnt malt and English hop aromas. Some dark fruits and bread as well. Taste is very malty...caramel and biscuit malt with some light, bitter hoppiness. A bit of brown sugar and brett flavors. Floral notes and booze as well. Mouthfeel is full-bodied and smooth. Drinkability is fair. Overall, it is a decent beer, but nowhere near my favorite offering from Lost Abbey or Biere de Gardes.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2012 09:08:42 | More by DovaliHops

Kromes

Georgia

3.98/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: A clear copper color with a huge, fluffy tan colored head. Sheets of lacing on the glass.

S: Toasted malt, earthy hop, a bit of citrus peel, and an alcohol aroma.

T: The Brett flavor hits up front, but is a bit more subtle than other Brett ales. There is a good malt and hop flavor. Fruity esters with earthy hop. The alcohol flavor and warmth rounds out the finish.

M: The beer has a medium feel with low carbonation for a Belgian. Initially, the alcohol burn is strong, but once acclimated, it is not noticable.

O: A good change of pace from the normal. The Brett, malt, and hop flavors are all very good, but they get masked a little in the end with the burn and flavor of the alcohol. Still a decent beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2012 21:17:08 | More by Kromes

phishsihq

Colorado

3.83/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Lost Abbey Brewing Company (the Belgian inspired arm of Port Brewing) releases the Gift of the Magi (Biere de Garde) as their Christmas ale, featuring bitterness from the bark of Frankincense and contains the smallest amount of Myrrh which is an herb that has roots in ancient winemaking as well . This brew pours a hazy amber with flashes of gold and a very thin head that leaves no lace. The fruit heavy nose features hints of honey, malt, and spice. The spiciness is very evident on the pallet, with oak, vanilla, dark fruit, biscuity malt and even funky earthy flavors from the Belgian yeast. A lower level of carbonation helps all the flavors play out well in this medium bodied ale. A great beer to pair with a well rounded Christmas dinner.

Serving type: on-tap

02-04-2012 18:24:16 | More by phishsihq

OtherShoe2

Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours medium orange/brown with a huge head. Fluffy cake of tan foam that sticks everywhere.

Barnyard yeast; some strong burnt caramel sugars, some fruit. Really, a combo bier de grade and a dubbed or tripel.

Flavors of yeasty bread, sugary raisins, some sweet fruit and bitterness, a little horse blanket funk, with a charred sugar biter and bread crust note.

Medium-ful bodied, perfect carbonation.

Love this beer. Not sure it is the style indicated. Hardly taste alcohol at a lll. Worth a try and then some.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2012 01:05:12 | More by OtherShoe2

Nerudamann

Oregon

4.35/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bottle into a tulip glass.

Look – ruby amber in color, hazy, with thick carbonation and about three and a half fingers’ worth of thick khaki-colored foam that dissipates somewhat quickly. Good head retention throughout the tasting.

Smell – this one smells of spices and clove. Mostly malty, but maybe with a touch more of hops.

Taste – definitely tastes of spices and clove, lots of clove. The bottle conditioning with Brettanomyces must be what gives it its unique taste. Hops are present too, but mostly in their feel and not the taste. Kick comes the tasting around the middle, but the actual bitterness hits toward the finish. The high abv is also noticeable, but also toward the finish.

Mouthfeel – very well balanced overall, not leaning more toward the watery side or toward the creamy side.

Overall – very good brew! Interesting label, interesting (and pleasant) taste, just good all around.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2012 19:52:13 | More by Nerudamann

DoubleJ

California

3.98/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From a 750 ml bottle shared at Stefano's, on to the beer:

It features a burnt orange color, a good head on the pour, and solid amounts of lace around the glass. An interesting, unique nose; it's got some lemon, pepper, a little tartness, and sourdough bread aromas.

Light fruit and pepper, heavy on the rustic and earthy characteristics. Some dryness emerges out of the beer, which is especailly prononunced in its aftertaste. The beer has a medium full feel, a proper level of carbonation, and an alcohol level that is surprisingly hidden.

A Lost Abbey beer that I never had before? The streak couldn't last forever, and it turned out to be a pleasing experience.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2012 03:23:23 | More by DoubleJ

xnicknj

Pennsylvania

3.45/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

on tap at monks in philly

Pours a hazy deep golden color with some darker caramel hues. Crop of beige head rests on top, leaving patchy lacing on the glass while drinking.

Spicy in the nose with a dash of heat. Some yeasty funk with a touch of fruit and a definite note of floral/herbalness.

Assorted spicy notes up front with some fruit sweetness. Touches of apple and plum with some floral notes. There's an interesting herbal quality to this that I couldn't really decide if I liked or not. Belgian yeast with a soft funkiness, some alcohol heat in the finish.

Medium body, decent carbonation, bubbly and tingly on the tongue. Not bad, but I wasn't really feeling the herbal and boozy notes on this - I prefer the Avant Garde from them for this style.

Serving type: on-tap

01-15-2012 16:26:20 | More by xnicknj

phichifiji00

California

3.8/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2009 bottle, poured into tulip glass.

Appearance: Rich brown with red hues. Pours 1 inch of thich tan head that fades very slowly. Lots of lacing.

Smell: estery, hopy, malty, caramel, some barnyard funk, raisins, dark fruit, vanilla, oak.

Taste: Oak, vanilla, malty, caramel, toffee, raisins, dark fruit, biscuit.

Mouthfeel: full bodied, moderate carbonation, silky, creamy.

Overall: Fairly complex. Drinks much heavier than it looks. Drinkability is fairly high.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2012 18:42:21 | More by phichifiji00

jlindros

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Tap at Prezo

Nice creamy 1 finger head fades at a med pace with a bit of lacing, semi hazy orange red color.

Nose sweet malts, little creamy, reddish candy malts with a hint of booze light esters, light fruity aromas from Belgian yeast and esters, hint of candi, a dry light farmhouse like spices and maybe hint of tea.

Taste sweet, biscuity reddish toasty malts, then earthy herbal flavors with esters and herbal hops, light farmhouse dry saison yeast flavors, Belgian yeast, light fruit and caramel, and light booze. Decent bitterness and juicy. Hints of light spices that remind me more of saison, as well as a light floral taste like those potpourri setups that are in many bathrooms transposed into taste. Finishes dry and bit bitter, earthy gritty esters and hops, little oily, dry rustic earthy bready saison like yeast finish.

Mouth is med to a bit fuller bodied, bit of booze, decent carb.

Overall pretty interesting, the malts and yeast really play out in this one almost as if they are battling for the most dominant characteristic. A bit boozy but that's what it presents so no surprises, and good for a Xmas like beer. Decent esters, fruits, malts, sugar additions, spices, etc etc. I think I remember the bottle version of this being better, which would make sense with a beer this big, and bottle conditioned, but it could also be my memory playing with me.

Serving type: on-tap

01-07-2012 04:10:35 | More by jlindros

KDawg

Illinois

3.7/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from 750ml into a tulip. Pours a nice rich gold color with a very frothy head

Excellent malty aromas strike right away along with spices and navel oranges. Unfortunately there is a very boozy quality to the aromas though. It's noticeable and does take away from the beer

Full bodied with a real plush and smooth feel. Lots of malt flavors, navel oranges and some florals. Like the aromas though, there is a definite booziness that is very distracting

The alcoholic quality to the beer is very distracting. Too bad as the rest of the flavors and aromas are quite good. It's still a very good beer overall, it's just a slight bit overdone

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2012 01:20:55 | More by KDawg

impending

California

3.7/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

B

750ml into a tulip. Pours a hazed amber butterscotch, dense creamy tan head, ok lacing.

Aroma is sweetly spiced, definitely subtle herbs. Certainly nicer than the frankincense and myrrh in the traditional incense.

Flavor is big with spices, all low notes. Begins with a sweetness that is suddenly dampened. The long lived phenolic aftertaste defines the brew with the frankincense adding an unusual bitterness slightly reminiscent of aspirin. Thin to medium bodied mouthfeel.

Greatly improves with warmth as the aftertaste begins to share similarities with a scotch ale.
cheers
jd

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2011 06:34:50 | More by impending

AdamBear

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A-amber with a nice foamy cream colored head

S-dark belgian sugars with a peppercorn spice to it. some licorice. strong scent

T-comes in with a dark peppercorn spicyness. the finish is complex...fruits? belgian candied sugars? licorice? strong tastes, some alcohol burn

M-quite warm. medium carbonation with a dry finish

O-well, the quality seems to die as it goes away. also, the carbonation goes away quickly. started out great, but could not stand the test of time. pretty hot also. definitely wouldn't be a bad beer to share though.

Serving type: on-tap

12-29-2011 03:37:54 | More by AdamBear

jwhancher

Pennsylvania

3.3/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

My wife received a bottle as a Christmas present and shared some with me last night. Poured into a chalice glass.

A: nice frothy, rocky off white head. Color seemed a hazy amber. Head lasted quite awhile. Subtle carbonation.

S: reminded me of a rustic barnhouse. Faint sour notes with a peppery, spicy like yeast character. The aromas aren't in-your-face and seem to work well.

T: tastes a little bland to me. Reminded me of an average craft amber beer. Notes of caramel and some hop bitterness, but not a whole lot of flavorful notes.

M: felt medium with some warm alcohol notes.

O: not bad, but was expecting more from this Biere de Garde. Was expecting some more funk and Belgian-French characteristics. Seemed like an average craft amber to me.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2011 18:40:46 | More by jwhancher

TMoney2591

Illinois

3/5  rDev -21.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Served in a chalice at Plainfield's Tap House.

Apparently the Tap House has a 12 Beers of Christmas thing going on. I wonder if the bartender realized we weren't gonna be back any time soon when she gave us the punch card... Either way, this stuff pours a hazy sunset amber topped by a finger of dirty cream foam. The nose comprises orange zest, caramel, brown sugar, nutmeg, and light fig. The taste holds notes of pine resin, caramel, sharp Swiss cheese, brown sugar, cinnamon, raisins, and rye bread. This combination does not sit well on the tongue at all, and a touch of booziness makes the experience all the more unpleasant. The body is a light-leaning medium, with a light moderate carbonation and an almost chewy feel. Overall, I did not enjoy this beer. I think my note of "kinda boo", though a bit weird, is more than appropriate.

Serving type: on-tap

12-11-2011 19:23:14 | More by TMoney2591

ksimons

New York

3.95/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A-a cloudy dark amber copper color with two fingers worth of white rocky head

S-the smell is pretty strong. Picking up roasted malt, caramel, spices, citrus, and a yeasty sourness

T-taste is similar to the smell with roasted malt, caramel, sweet fruit, and spices but it also has a larger amount of hops present than was in the smell. Alcohol is well hidden.

M-medium body, medium to high carbonation

Overall I liked it. The first of this style for me so I didn't know what to expect but it was very interesting, I would try it again.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2011 22:49:57 | More by ksimons

fatmcb1

Texas

4.28/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

2008 vintage poured into a lost abbey snifter.

Pours a copper color with a white 1 finger head that dissipates to a ring. Ample lacing on the glass.

Tons of roasted malt, fig, and raisins. There's also some sweet caramel and brown sugar.

Taste follows the nose. There is faded hops that leaves a citrusy remnant. Also, just a bit of funk.

This is on the heavy bodied side, with light carbonation.

Definitely glad to have had this, and want to try more of the style.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2011 22:14:12 | More by fatmcb1

Cyberkedi

Georgia

3.55/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The sample I got fizzed like champagne, so have a towel ready! What did come out was a barely transparent warm golden brown with a very thick and fluffy, and somewhat persistent, light tan head. Aroma is malty and fruity, the latter mainly pear with a little apple, and inviting if not strong. Malty, fruity flavor has an earthy undertone and quite a fierce alcohol bite for 10% ABV. Sorry, a half point off there. Full-bodied texture is edgy and a little tingly. OK, not exactly golden (maybe frankincense or myrrh?) but still a worthy brew.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2011 02:47:25 | More by Cyberkedi

JAXSON

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2009 rate.

From a 25oz bottle, 2009 vintage. Orange pour, medium head. For all the trash I’ve talked about Lost Abbey this one is pretty darn good. At first blush is sweet and with the signature Lost Abbey heavy malt, briefly, but a refreshing and crisp hop presence finishes on the dry side. Some nuts and spices abound. Very fresh and bright. Enjoyed more than most Lost Abbey offerings, I may actually be rating this too low at 3.9.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2011 02:24:19 | More by JAXSON

nhindian

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml bottle poured into a Lost Abbey Patron Sinner's goblet.

2009 Vintage.

A - Pours a burnished copper color with flares of orange playing at the edges of the glass. Very hazy throughout, making it nearly impossible to discern anything about the body of the beer. Two fingers of eggshell-colored head balance out the beer, composed of tight bubbles with nice retention. Lacing is sparse at best, with not a ton of residual lace sticking around.

S - The aroma is pretty neat on this beer. It's spicy, fruity, and woody, but the Brett is carefully integrated among the other notes. I was expecting a bigger Brett character, but can't say I'm disappointed with how it's laid out here, because it allows the other aromas to properly develop. It almost gives a fig, juniper, and dark pitted fruits, which when combined together delivers an almost holiday note; very fitting with the name and label.

T - Much the nose, the taste is equally as appetizing. The malts at first are rich, dark, sweet, and at times even smoky, but it leaves a nice lasting backbone. Then comes the slight tartness from the Brett... I'm not sure if it's the total composition of flavors or the yeast, but it gives me a strong impression of Jackie O's and Jolly Pumpkin beers. The fruits and wood come through next and last into the finish, and again I am getting the bark, figs, berries, and dates that were so prevalent in the nose. It finishes slightly bitter with a bit of an alcohol bite, but overall fairly clean.

M - Mouthfeel is medium-bodied with pretty nice carbonation. It's a bit high, but I feel it fits the style and the flavors adequately. It finishes a bit dry, but still relatively sweet.

D/O - Drinkability is moderately high. This was a pleasant surprise for me, bringing a bold and diverse flavor profile. The Brett is a little bit understated and could use some development, but I prefer its current state rather than it overbearing the other notes. I would like to try this again a little bit fresher!

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2011 05:13:22 | More by nhindian