Deliverance - The Lost Abbey

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BA SCORE
95
world-class
-
791 Ratings

rAvg: 4.3
pDev: 9.77%
Reviews: 338
Hads: 453

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Brewed by:
The Lost Abbey

California, United States

Style | ABV
American Strong Ale | 12.50% ABV

Availability: Rotating. bottle (300), on-tap (36), growler (2).

Notes:
A blend of Brandy Barrel Angel's Share and Bourbon Barrel Serpent's Stout.

View: Beers (49) | Reviews (46) | Events (0)

Reviews

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Reviews by jondeelee:

jondeelee

Massachusetts

4.55/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Deliverance Ale opens with a rich, malty, alcoholic nose, the barrel aging immediately obvious and present in the form of heavy shades of charcoal-filtered bourbon and caramel-sweet grainy scotch. So potent are these aromas that at first the beer ends up bearing little resemblance to beer, instead smelling like fine liquor that has been tinged with aged port. There are, however, excellent and Imperial Stout-like notes just beneath the surface, including espresso grounds, chocolate and black malt, tobacco ash, and syrupy fig, black cherry, prune, and date fruit esters. Molasses and anise seed add to the gloopy, spicy aromas. As a whole, the nose is excellent, speaking of well-tended beer aged expertly in carefully-chosen barrels, plucked from its resting place at the height of drinkability and flavor. It’s hard to imagine more aromas drifting from a glass.

On the tongue, the beer opens with thick, black sugars, including molasses and dark, natural brown sugar, joined immediately by espresso, tobacco, ash, deeply roasted nuts, and strong-but-perfectly-blended overtones of bourbon and scotch. These latter notes don’t overwhelm the beer, as they can in some barrel-aged brews, but for the most part of the mouthful play off of the already-dark malt notes, adding further complexity and nuance. Fig, prune, and black cherry fruit esters add a bit of flavor, joined by anise and touches of black pepper. Late in the mouthful, as the sugars die off, the bourbon and scotch notes seem to increase in strength, biting at and burning the soft palate, much like a straight shot of liquor. Here the barrel aging proves somewhat detrimental, lending the beer a heavy alcoholic overtone, the vapors almost tangible in the throat. The aftertaste is a continuation of this heavy, liquor-soaked alcoholic vapor wash, with lingering ash, tobacco, and black malt, and lingers on the tongue for a very long time. Mouthfeel is a lightly syrupy medium (though based on the flavors it feels like it should be more viscous, and this provides a slightly distracting contrast), and carbonation is medium.

As a whole, this is certainly very good beer, and for the most part the barrel aging does wonders for what was almost certainly a very good brew to begin with. The only negatives come late in the mouthful, when the heady alcoholic vapors somewhat overtake the brew, and in the slightly strange lighter-than-expected mouthfeel. Very much worth trying, especially for fans of barrel-aged Imperial Stouts.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2012 16:47:07 | More by jondeelee

More User Reviews:

Photekut

Azerbaijan

4.25/5 rDev -1.2%

05-18-2013 21:02:15 | More by Photekut

HopBrain

New Jersey

4.5/5 rDev +4.7%

05-18-2013 16:22:25 | More by HopBrain

ShemRahBoo

New Jersey

4.5/5 rDev +4.7%

05-18-2013 15:14:15 | More by ShemRahBoo

AlexChillton

Arizona

4.5/5 rDev +4.7%

05-17-2013 23:09:10 | More by AlexChillton

ArrogantB

Colorado

3.38/5 rDev -21.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

375ml bottle that I only bought because I found it for $11, I feel bad for anyone who paid $17 because this beer is way overpriced. Black color, a decent head, it was not completely flat! Aroma was a bit of booze and malt, meh. Flavor was barrel and grapes, I mostly tasted the angel's share because I kept thinking of cognac. Decent beer but ridiculously overpriced even at $11. Booo.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 01:57:18 | More by ArrogantB

2dogbrew

Virginia

3.5/5 rDev -18.6%

05-16-2013 23:28:43 | More by 2dogbrew

michaeljstraub

Georgia

4.5/5 rDev +4.7%

05-16-2013 19:53:29 | More by michaeljstraub

moonknight31

California

4.5/5 rDev +4.7%

05-16-2013 16:55:12 | More by moonknight31

cp45

New Jersey

4/5 rDev -7%

05-16-2013 00:34:30 | More by cp45

Kerfluffel

Washington

4/5 rDev -7%

05-15-2013 17:17:09 | More by Kerfluffel

Zbeetleman

California

4.25/5 rDev -1.2%

05-15-2013 02:47:56 | More by Zbeetleman

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

4.28/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A-dark brown color with minimal tan head and minimal lacing

S-bourbon, caramel, dark fruit, molasses

T-dark malt, brown sugar, dark fruit, chocolate, molasses, bourbon,hint of coffee

F-medium to full body with minimal carbonation, rich and smooth, a little boozy

O-delicious, really enjoyed sipping this one, the blend seems to work well

Serving type: on-tap

05-14-2013 10:43:10 | More by MDDMD

Gatordaddy

Maryland

4.5/5 rDev +4.7%

05-14-2013 05:38:12 | More by Gatordaddy

Absolut

California

4.25/5 rDev -1.2%

05-13-2013 18:06:43 | More by Absolut

shigg85

Japan

4.75/5 rDev +10.5%

05-13-2013 15:35:59 | More by shigg85

Kadonny

Pennsylvania

4.11/5 rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a corked and caged 375ml bottle into a snifter glass. This is over a year old.

A: A dark brown/black color that does let a little bit of light in. A one finger light brown head sits atop. No lacing.

S: Deep dark malts coupled with heavy bourbon and some fruit. A bit oaky and earthy too.

T: I got roasted malts up front with lots of bourbon. These get mixed with dark fruit flavors, raisin, some chocolate, vanilla, oak and some coffee notes. Sweetness holds the beer together with caramel and some toffee notes. The roastiness stays on the finish as it stays sweet. Alcohol is huge and lingers.

M: Full, coating, a bit syrupy and a heavy alcohol presence (bourbon, of course). Carbonation was light but sufficient.

O: A very good beer, but not spectacular IMO. Give me the Angels Share any day of the week over Deliverance. I think the blending works, but I just don't think is as good than AS.

I'm glad I finally got to try and review this beer. I felt a little disappointed just because I din't think it was "spectacular", but no doubt it was a very good beer. Honestly though, for the price I doubt I'll ever pick up another.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2013 14:33:08 | More by Kadonny