Additional notes 02/21/23

Carbonation a little low as can be the case with Lost Abbey, but just about within style and ABV parameters. Drinkable, and still a light, fruity alcohol experience. It’s quite subtle, not in your face at all, and drinks better than it (apparently) did 15 years ago.

Not great, but not bad, I’d drink it again.

Original notes 04/02/08

Corked & caged, 750 mL bottle with an impressive looking label featuring The Four Horsemen of the Apocolypse – fantasy style. Nice looking artwork and coloring, and the two part label make this look like an impressive beer. I like the text that is written on the rear label – much simplier that a lot of Stone nonsense (for example), but still an interesting message. 5/5 for presentation.

Poured into the Ommegang chalice. Not a great color, again that murky brown Dubbel like appearance that I dislike so much, but it has more carbonation than I was expecting. Thin, creamy and spotty head forms on the surface of the beer, with little or no lace – that’s OK, wasn’t expecting very much.

An interesting spice-like pepper note cuts across the expected dark fruit and sweetness. This is one of the more edgy quads that I have tasted which takes us into Belgian Strong Dark territory with a distinct peppery quality.

Standard dark fruit base, with large hints of alcohol and a touch of residual bitterness as well – maybe some red-grape skins? The usual plums and raisins are there. The alcohol becomes more pronounced on warming, even leading to a mild burn.

For me the drinkability went down somewhat as the bottle was consumed.

In summary this is an impressive brew that makes me want to get into more Lost Abbey beers. Thanks to Rustydiamond for allowing me to piggyback on a South Bay order.