The Angel's Share - Brandy Barrel-Aged - The Lost Abbey

Kagarran

Washington

2.01/5  rDev -47.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2

Serving Type: Bought 2 bottles after seeing good reviews. Paid $15 each. Drank from a wine glass.
A: A dark copper color with zero head.
S: Very fruity
T: I actually cringed the first couple of sips I took. You can definitely taste the brandy, but it was not a good thing. This beer played off the tongue as more of a hybrid wine than anything else.
M: The beer was very thin.

Overall: I had huge expectations for my first Lost Abbey beer. Unfortunately, I was hugely disappointed. I wanted to pour it down the drain, but ended up finishing the bottle. I just couldn't stand the thought of pouring 15 bucks down the drain. I even tried letting it warm a bit, in the hopes that it would get better, but it just didn't. I would not recommend this. After going back and reviewing the beer notes on the Lost Abbey website, I won't write off the brewery just yet. This is for those of you who crave the experimental beers!

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2013 03:36:50 | More by Kagarran

Smurf2055

Washington

4.35/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Reviewed December 2011

2009 brandy barrel, into a snifter at Uber Tavern in Seattle.

Appeared almost pitch black with minimal head.

Smells very strongly of espresso and cream. Sort of weak up front, but it somehow gets stronger as you continue smelling. You can tell it’s very rich.

Taste was sweet and syrupy, with a big alcohol burn. Again, lots of coffee, vanilla, and caramel.

Palate was sticky with very little carbonation. It was a very powerful, full, full mouth beer. Big warming sensation.

Overall, a real treat. Age helps it for sure.

Serving type: on-tap

04-01-2013 21:10:04 | More by Smurf2055

flydudehsv

California

5/5  rDev +30.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This is one seriously complex beer. I mean there are a ton of things going on in the nose and flavor. Huge aroma of chocolate and oak hit me like a ton of lead. After warming up a bit more sweeter notes came out like brown sugar and a vinous profile came out. An oil mouth feel that was slick, yet sublime at the same time. Flavors were, like the nose, incredibly complex with the same notes as above and a sweet character but balanced by a wine-line tannic kick. I want more!

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2013 08:29:06 | More by flydudehsv

smcnulty1981

Rhode Island

3.74/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 3 | feel: 5 | overall: 3.5

A: pours a dark dark brown with no head at all practically no carbonation almost wine like in character color has a brown hue when held to the light

S: no alchol lots of sweet brandy and some oak on the nose with a slight cherry smell

T: I found it a bit difficult to drink there was a lot of brandy taste and cherry there was no alchol but thee was a bit of a fussil taste and extremely sweet

M: very heavy mouthfeel coats the mouth all around however there is a very little carbontation lacking in a finish

O: fairly disappointing u ad heard a lot about the lost Abby and this was my first beer from them i'll defiantly try another but this particular one I would not recommend

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2013 16:04:18 | More by smcnulty1981

Boto

Connecticut

4.46/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

375ml bottle: 2009 vintage: This one pours an inky, opaque brown color. It is absolutely still: no carbonation at all. Nice nose to it. I definitely get a whiff of the brandy. A little musty aroma. Definitely some dark fruits in there, with a little plum on top. Lots of caramel malts. Very nice taste. Thick caramel, some of the brandy, Lots of mingled dark fruits, some coffee notes. Oak notes also. It doesn’t suffer at all from the lack of carbonation. Very Nice!

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 01:20:33 | More by Boto

Dope

Massachusetts

2.6/5  rDev -31.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

2010 bottle.

A: Cork comes out with just the slightest hiss. Pours dark brown with zero head. Appears to be completely flat. No lacing of course.

S: Boozy brandy and caramel. Not much else. Berries perhaps? Tons of caramel.

T: Brandy up front that turns oddly tart. Lots of caramel but spoiled fruit covers it up. Nothing else to it really other than some leather. Is this infected? Hard to tell versus just a generally crappy beer.

M: Heavy, syrupy and completely flat. Needs some carbonation to cut it.

O: After sipping on this for a bit I have to assume it's infected. It's just pure tart/sour fruit and a little caramel. Boy was this a waste of money. Let's try the bourbon version, maybe it can redeem itself. As for this one, I drain poured it.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2012 03:58:23 | More by Dope

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

3.1/5  rDev -18.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 1 | overall: 3

2008 vintage 750ml
A vigorous pour produces a viscous black liquid with a handful of bubbles that dissipate almost instantly. Smells of oaky vanilla with a boozy edge. Hints of chocolate, caramel, brown sugar, dark fruit and tobacco round out the nose quite nicely. The flavor is sweet like an aged barleywine. Sweet sugar and caramel mixed with some vinous notes. A touch of ethanol and a nice flavor of dark fruits, grapes, chocolate, and tobacco. Medium to thick body with a sweet syrupy mouthfeel and not a lick of carbonation. I've sat on this bottle for quite some time fearing the disappointment that would ensue with the inevitable flat bottle. The lack of carbonation ruins the mouthfeel on this beer and makes a sweet beer even stickier. This smells wonderful! It's too bad I couldn't get a proper sample of this beer because I'll bet its really great!

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2012 22:39:35 | More by johnnnniee

lovindahops

New York

4.13/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Wow first lost abbey beer!

A- dark, opaque, and intimidating with no head of foam whatever. However, as we all know it's what lies beneath

S- tart Oaked, darkened fruit and alcohol. Very unique as fruit flavors mingle with the oak aged attribute.

T- wow!!! Pears and sweet caramel sugar combat a boozy California raisin without the cartoon characters dancing in unison! The best way to describe this is darkened prunes that are steeped in barrels. Very delicious!

M- watery yet coating with flavor

O- This was one of the most unique beers I have ever had. The fruit is predominant and you don't get any smokiness until the end. Ummmm can I have more lost abbey???

How about if I host a tasting of lost abbey (tomme will you come?)

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2012 00:09:38 | More by lovindahops

Gobzilla

California

4.1/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: poured a dark brown in color with brown highlights and a thin head that left a little lacing sticking to the glass.

S: lots od dark fruits especially raisins in the aroma with plenty of brandy woody barrel character, hints of vanilla, slight vinous notes, pear esters, maple syrup tones and plenty of booze.

T: the pear and maple syrup was more apparent on the taste alongside woody brandy barrel character, dark fruits, vanilla accents, and quite a bit of heat.

M: the brew was medium to full in body with a moderate amount of carbonation which had a sweet, woody, dark fruity, boozy, and sticky finish.

O: it was an 09 vintage and it was still pretty hot, I honestly thought it would have mellowed out somewhat; still tasty though.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2012 18:39:48 | More by Gobzilla

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

3.13/5  rDev -18.1%
look: 2 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2.5

2010 poured into a stemmed Lost Abbey tulip.

Appearance. Pours a murky cola brown with no head, very still.

Smell. Boozy brandy, some old wood and vanilla, cherries and dark berries. This actually smells quite nice.

Taste. Old wood and raisins with a bit of sour grape juice, just a little bitter cocoa powder. Not very boozy, especially considering the abv.

Mouthfeel. The body is a nice medium-full but the near complete lack (and I say near because there actually is a very small amount) of carbonation is just not very pleasant.

Overall. This beer is just a great tragedy for me. A fine brew that's ruined by having no carbonation. Maybe this was the brewer's intention but it wouldn't be my choice as a consumer. Bummed that this cost me $17. More fuel for the devil side of my love/hate for this brewery ;-)

Edit: I drank the whole thing! Not sure if it was a train wreck that I just couldn't turn away from, or if I couldn't bear to pour so much $$$ down the drain ;-)

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2012 02:12:48 | More by Rutager

SawDog505

New Hampshire

2.2/5  rDev -42.4%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Poured very aggressive into a 20 oz Duvel tulip, bottled in 2010. Pours a very dark brown, with no head at all and subsequently no lace. Smell is dark fruits, molasses, whiskey, and vanilla. Taste is not correct, thinking this is tainted. No pop at all with the cork and a very flat and stale tasting beer. Very sour and boozy and this was my daughter's celebration beer. Going to contact brewery. Body thin, terrible carbonation, not sure if it is dry, and going down the sink, what does that say about drinkability? Trying to figure out what to drink now.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2012 01:29:10 | More by SawDog505

UCLABrewN84

California

3.95/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Thanks to AndrewK for sharing this one at his tasting.

2009 vintage.

Pours an almost opaque brown-black with no head and no lace. Smell is of malt, brown sugar, raisins, dark fruits, vanilla, brandy, and wood. Taste is much the same with an alcohol kick on the finish and a woody aftertaste that lingers after each sip. This beer has a low level of carbonation with an almost flat mouthfeel. Overall, this is good beer that smells better than it tastes. I just wish the carbonation level was better.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2012 01:04:14 | More by UCLABrewN84

TK5150

Maine

3/5  rDev -21.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Not sure of the Vinatge, the year was printed pporly on the bottle.

A- Pours dark brown with pretty much no carbonation or head.

S- Smells of molasses, caramelized malts, oak, and brandy/grapes. The best part of this beer.

T- Tart chardonnay (tart/sour white grapes) and oaky tannins. A bit buttery as well. Hints of sharp cheddar cheese. Not hot at all, but a warming sensation is felt down the esophagus. A very tart beer, actually. Just a weird flavor combination that doesn't really work.

M- Lighter side of medium bodied. Fairly smooth. Flat.

O- A major disappointment from The Lost Abbey, especially at the massive price point. The bourbon version is much better, but either way, these angel's share versions are really expensive for what you get.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2012 22:21:32 | More by TK5150

sentomaster

Connecticut

2.23/5  rDev -41.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 1 | overall: 2.5

09 Angels Share poured into a bruery tulip

A- no pop from the cork- not a good sign. Looks like another LA carbonation fail job. The pour leads to even more skepticism, not a single bubble to be found. By the end of pouring a dark and sinister liquid from the bottle there appears to be a faint few, tiny bubbles rising within...

S- Major heat coming off this- port wine heat with massive vanilla and fudge

T/M- HEAT....almost zero carbonation, maybe zero. Thick, full and sweet

O- what a disaster. I've had this on tap and it was great, this was terrible. Tastes like 3 shots of Sambuca made it into the small bottle

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2012 19:26:39 | More by sentomaster

B33R501

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

needed something hefty after 2 nitro cans of youngs double chocolate (that was interesting) this will do. $7.00 per 10oz serving at a little oasis Ortino's Northside makes this a must buy. seen this priced $22-$25 12 oz bottle, that's ridiculous, it's a beer. i completely agree with something i saw posted here, paying more than $1 per ounce any beer, you're paying too much.

pours very dark not much head or carbonation but i didnt think this was flat at all. nice aroma of brandy sweetness and caramel, almost barleywine like. taste follows, the wood aging very evident, sweet but not cloying at all. this beer demands to be sipped and savored, just a little alcohol let's you know this is serious.
smooth and satisfying, massive yet delicate.

outstanding. but i still wont pay $22 for 12oz.
great little hideaway bar, also picked up 6 celebration, listed $4 each, they gave it to me for a reasonable $12.

and much better than kbs. on par with 2 fantastic beers, central waters bbb and weyerbacher insanity.

Serving type: on-tap

05-02-2012 13:20:19 | More by B33R501

Tilley4

Tennessee

2.43/5  rDev -36.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

It's with some hesitancy that I even bought this beer but while I'm down in Atlanta, I did some shopping around and found 3 bottles of this staring back at me... I know of the carbonation issues they've had... but I bought it anyway. I just couldn't pass it up as it's probably the only bottle I'll ever have of it....

Pouring it into a red wine glass.. Here we go...

Well, it's definitely lacking carbonation... Pours like thinned down motor oil... Hmmm...

I'm actually digging the aromas I'm getting off of this... Big doses of oak and brandy and vanilla... Doesn't smell boozy though... Very intriguing aromas... Very complex...

And... nope... Flat and watery right up front and then I'm overwhelmed by this musty sour earthiness that wipes out every positive thing about this beer away... I love sours and wild ales but I don't think this is what they were looking for with this at all... It's painful to sip on... I'm trying to like it and give it the benefit of the doubt and pick out some positives but.... With a little carbonation and that putrid sourness gone, this would be a really good sipper at the end of the night..

As is? Drain pour and at $14.99 a pop, a rip off. I should have listened to my instincts on this.... I now know why there were 3 more on the shelves...

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2012 23:59:01 | More by Tilley4

LiquidAmber

Washington

4.55/5  rDev +19.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Review from 1/2011 notes. Poured into a Nostradamus flute glass. Pours dark, dark red brown amber. No head or carbonation. Rich aroma of brandy, dark fruits, malt and alcohol. Nice. Dark fruits with an emphasis on plums, brandy, some sherry notes. Heavy bodied and complex. Finishes sweet and boozy. A pleasant complex strong ale. This will definitely be interesting to age. It needs a bit more carbonation to rate higher, but I'll still get this again.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2012 03:11:29 | More by LiquidAmber

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A-dark brown color with no head

S-brandy, molasses, hints of dried fruit

T-molasses, dried fruit, some malt flavor and oak with significant brandy flavors coming through

F-medium body with minimal carbonation, smooth

O-an interesting strong ale, but too much brandy and no carbonation of note

Serving type: on-tap

04-05-2012 02:24:21 | More by MDDMD

zeff80

Missouri

3.5/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Poured out a brown color with a red tint. Almost no head and no lacing.

S - It smelled a little like Sweet Tarts candy. Some caramel sweetness, too.

T - It tasted sweet and slightly tart. Lots of booziness. I guess a little brandy taste. Some maltiness with hints of caramel and Belgian spices.

M - It was crisp and sharp. A medium bodied ale with a dry finish.

O - This is a nice beer. Don't know if this was how it was intended, but it certainly was interesting.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2012 19:32:03 | More by zeff80

Derek

British Columbia (Canada)

2.95/5  rDev -22.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

2010, 375mL, 11.5%.

Thanks to Rutager, I've been wanting to try one of these for a while.

A: Almost still, murky brown, no head, no lace.

S: Sour cherry, golden raisin, dates and plenty of brandy. The aroma is divine.

T: Sour cherries, bit of vinegar, hints of lactic acid. Dates, golden raisins, brown sugar & nuts. Modest bitterness; although it's rather sherry-like, the alcohol is very subtle. Much more like a Rodenbach than an American Strong.

M: Very slight carbonation; Moderately full body is fairly creamy; surprisingly acidic. Certainly different.

D/O: Surprisingly tart. Is that intentional? I have to say I really disliked the first few sips and wondered if it might be a drain pour. For some reason I kept going back and was strangely intrigued. There really is a lot of depth here, but it's just not my cup-o-tea.

Okay, so I left the last 3rd of the bottle and cracked a Supplication, which wasn't nearly as sour.

I think this was a good brew, but it's gone bad. And the fact that it's still means they actually bottled it this way?

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2012 23:35:42 | More by Derek

dirtylou

Washington

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

on-tap, brouwers hard liver festival

appearance: served in an unbranded snifter - dark chocolatey body, thin mocha cap

smell: strong waves of barrel and brandy, dark chocolate, spiced cookies

taste: rich and spicy - potent brandy presence, lots of impact from the barrel, raisins, caramel, nutty, coconut. Pretty wild stuff - nice to sample on tap and avoid the astronomical bottle prices (and sh1tty carbonation issues)

mouthfeel: big and rich - not a barleywine

overall: tasty - more interesting than the bourbon version, but not as good

Serving type: on-tap

03-05-2012 00:29:48 | More by dirtylou

beerandcycling88

Washington

2.78/5  rDev -27.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 1 | overall: 2

Poured from a 375ml bottle into a snifter

A Pours a very dark brown with red highlights. No carbonation at all.

S The nose is quite nice and very sweet with notes of plum like fruit, and some brandy. Also present is a bit of caramel.

T The taste follows the nose with lots of brandy and caramel. Again very sweet. ABV seems well hidden.

M Flat and thin. Not pleasant.

Overall while this one smells nice nothing else about it stands out in a good way. A huge miss by Lost Abbey and a waste of money at $16.00

Serving type: bottle

02-29-2012 18:08:12 | More by beerandcycling88

claspada

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

2008 750ml bottle.

Pours a dark, dark brown color, with a thin, wispy, beige-hued head. Some amber hues when held up to the light. Pretty flat and wine-like in appearance.

Aromas begin with lightly sweet caramel maltiness, which is immediately joined by dark fruity notes of homemade jam and marmalade dosed with caramelized/burnt sugars. As it warms the aromas become more brandy/barrel forward with booze soaked dark fruits and light oak char.

The tastes begin with sweet dark fruits, spiced fig jam, toasted/burnt bread, vanilla, caramelized sugars and particularly punchy oak tannins. A very meager hint of roast as it warms in the background. As it continues to warm, you are greeted with more puckering oak combined with some belly-warming, soul-pleasing brandy. Touch of earthiness in the semi-sweet finish.

The mouthfeel is medium to full bodied with no carbonation but plenty of warmth. Oak and brandy become more dominant as it warms; drinks more like a thin liquor as you continue to sip. Flavors linger on the palate long after you sip, and sip you must.

Overall this was a nice beer to sample and one I was quite excited for as I newly found out I like brandy quite a bit, but the lack of carbonation and heavy oak makes it a task to consume an entire bottle, even over a 3 hour period. Much more suited for the new smaller 375 bottles but a touch more carbonation and restrained barrel flavors would have made this much more approachable and enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2012 15:58:00 | More by claspada

chugalug06

Colorado

2.55/5  rDev -33.2%
look: 1 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2.5

2009

A - Amazingly FLAT. Very oxidized looking. Thick and syrupy. Very caramel colored. No fizz. No head. No Lacing.

S - Very vanilla. Strong heat scent. Very raw scent. Not overly impressive. Tons of caramel, but overwhelmed by chocolate sugary malt.

T/M - Not stimulating, at all. Flat, no bubbles :( Strong HEAT! Not appetizing. Strong vanilla and brandy.

O - Very disappointing, especially at the $20 price point. Not recommended. I really wanted to like this beer, but it let me down on too many levels. This brew was a total mess.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2012 03:15:32 | More by chugalug06

emerge077

Illinois

2.4/5  rDev -37.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Thanks Don for the chance to try a bottle i'd never take the risk on... an aged 750 served in a snifter glass.

Pours a tawny dark brown, transparent in the glass with a feeble ring of bubbles around the edges. No visible carbonation, looks a bit still.

Smells interesting, likely infected, but a bit of sour mash, maltiness and odd musty barrel character. Taste touches on these notes with a bit of tartness and a mealy unpleasant taste as well. Thin and tart, the drain drank more of this than I did :(

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2012 07:51:44 | More by emerge077