[BEER REVIEW] Lost Abbey 10 Commandments 🍺

The Lost Abbey is a brand with a cult status belonging to the Port Brewing Company (but it can be regarded as a brewery within the brewery) located in San Marcos, north of San Diego, USA. It was founded in 2006, when master brewer Tomme Arthur and friends took over the premises of Stone Brewing. Their strong passion for Belgian abbey beers, but the fact that they lack their own abbey (monastery), explains the mysterious brand name.

It only took until 2007 before the first major breakthrough was reached when Port Brewing / The Lost Abbey won the Small Brewery of the Year title at the Great American Beer Festival, which was followed up in 2008 with winning the same title at the World Beer Cup.

Besides the renowned quality of many of their spontaneously fermented beers (fermented with Brettanomyces), Lost Abbey has a collection of over 1000 Bourbon, sherry, brandy and wine barrels and runs one of America's most exciting programs for cask maturation. 

Rated as the third best brewery in the world according RateBeer.com, Lost Abbey/Port Brewing has ended up on their Top 100 list countless of times. The beer we'll try today usually end up on RateBeer's Top 50 list for Belgian Strong Ale. The inspiration for this once a year Anniversary beer is Belgian dark saison / spiced farmhouse ale. It's brewed not only with honey and raisins, but also rosemary.

Oh, and if you wondered about The Lost Abbey's ten commandments they are as follows:

1. The most imaginative beers are our crusade.
2. We believe we are all in this together.
3. We Strive for honesty and integrity into our lives like you.
4. Fresh beer is great, aged beer is better.
5.Now that you have found us, help us spread the message.
6. There is good and evil in the world, our beers are good.
7. Passion is not something you can buy at the corner store.
8. We believe an inspired life is worth living.
9. Life is about choices. The Lost Abbey is a great choice.
10. We are not perfect but no one is.

Lost Abbey 10 Commandments 2016

Origin: San Marcos, CA, USA
Brewery: Port Brewing Co
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
ABV: 10%
750 ml bottle

Appearance: Pours dark brown and muddy with a light brown head that fades fast. Big plus for the beautiful bottle and the use of cork and cage.

Nose: Plenty of spices and herbs balanced by caramel sweetness and various dark fruits. It feels quite Christmassy overall. The rosemary is surprisingly noticeable!

Palate: Again plenty of herbs and spices that brings to mind Jägermeister and similar herbal liqueurs. I don't notice any Brettanomyces; it's probably well hidden behind the alcohol and the overpowering herbs and spices. After the herbal arrival a cavalry of dark and dried fruits; plums, dates, raisins, figs. Hints of juniper and clove. Happy to feel the rosemary also on the palate. Medium-full body and quite oily.

Finish: The long finish is tart and dry with lingering and sweet yeast notes.

Conclusion: A really powerful and complex beer, so take your time with this one. Also, probably best not to drink a whole 750 ml bottle on your own, considering the high ABV. It feels much like a Belgian Strong Ale, but with a few extra dimensions. Quality stuff without a doubt and a well deserved 4.5 points out of 5.

 @SteemSwede