Veritas 012
The Lost Abbey

 

 

 

 

 

750ml cork and caged bottle. One of my earliest wants. Served in a stemmed glass.

Pours a murky reddish-brown body, one finger white head, thin film, not much retention or lacing. Seems about right. Smell is faint ripe cherry skin, tart lemon and acetic acid, not as much lactic acid, fair amount of oak, mild sweetness to it that is almost sort of nutty. I'm not sure what is going on here, but it's certainly not what I was expecting. Flavour brings out more of the cherry as it warms up, although it never gets to the amount of say, Lou Pepe Kriek or Hommage, but it is a solidly middling cherry presence for the most part. Moderate acetic acidity, not much lactic acidity, a bit of grainy sweetness, a lot of oak and tannins. Mouthfeel is medium-lighter bodied, good carbonation, a bit lacking in terms of the finish. As far as hype goes, this one went high simply because of the description, but I'm really not seeing it. I don't see how this is even similar to Cable Car, as the body just seemed so dark and tannic. On its own, it's a solid AWA with a mild cherry presence but I would have to argue that this beer was a victim of its own hype. Still a nice one to finally check off my list!

 

 

 

 

 

Pours a very cloudy, bright cherry/ruby red color with a one finger off-white head that quickly settles into a thick, lasting cap. Streaks of soapy lacing left behind.

Slightly sulfuric aroma with plenty of musty funk and a nice barnyard/horseblanket character that American wild ales usually lack. Qualities are similar to that of an authentic Belgian Kriek. Sweaty with damp oak, cobwebs, lactic funk and earth followed by prominent cherry sweetness. Slight mineral quality with juicy cherry pie filing, earthy pit and dry cherry skins. Oak and funk are prominent with subtle lactic cheesiness, musty wild bugs and acetic vinegar. Minimal solvency. Smells amazing!

Tart and puckering with strong sour acidity but not harsh or solvent like at all. Some acetic acid lingering throughout providing vinegary sweetness that counters the musty funk while complimenting the sweet cherry flavor. Very flavorful but not quite as complex as the nose suggests. Doesn't have the same depth of funk or lambic like characteristics. There is some damp oak, lactic cheesiness and musty bugs but it's not as extreme as the aroma and the prominent cherry sweetness cuts through. Soft mineral flavor with juicy cherry pie filling, earthy pit and dry skins. Very dry with the perfect amount of sweetness countering the oak, acidity and funk. One of he better American interpretations of the style. Excellent!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The beer is a pinkish, salmon, light golden hue with a large fizzy head that rapidly dissipates. Aromas of oak, cherry, earth. Typical lost Abbey funk. Cherries and earth tones with an acetic finish. Not on the level of Cable Car Kriek, but still a tasty beer.