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Cuvee De Tomme
The Lost Abbey


Beer Geek Stats
| Print Shelf Talker
- From:
- The Lost Abbey
- California, United States
- Style:
- Wild Ale
Ranked #273 - ABV:
- 11%
- Score:
- 94
Ranked #2,772 - Avg:
- 4.21 | pDev: 10.93%
- Reviews:
- 428
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Wednesday at 05:19 AM
- Added:
- Jun 14, 2003
- Wants:
- 672
- Gots:
- 265
SCORE
94
Outstanding
94
Outstanding


Notes:
Blended dark strong ale with sour cherries aged in American oak and French oak red wine barrels.
Once upon a time it was the most award winning Pizza Port beer of all time. Now it has found a new home at The Lost Abbey.
A massive brown ale base that is made from four fermentable sugars including malted barley, raisins, candi sugar and sour cherries, this beer is fully-fermented before being placed in bourbon barrels where the beer ages for one year with the sour cherries and the wild Brettanomyces yeast that we inoculate the barrels.
Once upon a time it was the most award winning Pizza Port beer of all time. Now it has found a new home at The Lost Abbey.
A massive brown ale base that is made from four fermentable sugars including malted barley, raisins, candi sugar and sour cherries, this beer is fully-fermented before being placed in bourbon barrels where the beer ages for one year with the sour cherries and the wild Brettanomyces yeast that we inoculate the barrels.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by stortore from Illinois
4.24/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.24/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
750 ml bottle into a snifter. 2017 edition, had 4/15/22.
Pours a brownish ruby color, semi opaque, with no head and no lacing. Aromas of cherry, wine, oak, some chocolate, light caramel. Smells lightly sour. Flavors are similar- cherry, wine, oak, malt, some chocolate, light caramel. Tastes fairly sour and lightly tart. Smooth, a solid medium body, appropriately carbonated on the low side.
Very enjoyable. Lots of cherry, more sour than expected after about five years, didn’t pick up the bourbon barrels at all. Based on the description above, I would say that some of the flavors have become less distinct.
Wednesday at 05:19 AMPours a brownish ruby color, semi opaque, with no head and no lacing. Aromas of cherry, wine, oak, some chocolate, light caramel. Smells lightly sour. Flavors are similar- cherry, wine, oak, malt, some chocolate, light caramel. Tastes fairly sour and lightly tart. Smooth, a solid medium body, appropriately carbonated on the low side.
Very enjoyable. Lots of cherry, more sour than expected after about five years, didn’t pick up the bourbon barrels at all. Based on the description above, I would say that some of the flavors have become less distinct.
Reviewed by Bouleboubier from New Jersey
4.32/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.32/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
(5 oz pour in a little snifter at Monk's during PtY day 20 Feb)
L: light-chestnut brown color with tawny highlights; mild-moderate haze; no foam on the pour
S: tart cherry, sour brown ale maltiness, dark fruit and perfumy undertones... excellent intensity and depth
T: much of the aromas carry over onto the palate... the cherry is relatively prominent and is complimented beautifully by the wine barrel character (wood, raisin)... tart up top, lightly demerara-like malt underbelly
F: round and rolly, but buoyant... served with a healthy charge of gas, giving it more levity... a bit viscous on the edges, but remaining soft on the palate, despite some tartness causing a bit of pucker... could slug a mug
O: second time ever having this, second time on draft at Monk's... love this liquid; 3-4 sips are not enough... why oh why have bottles never been out east?... gotta get one (2098)
Feb 22, 2023L: light-chestnut brown color with tawny highlights; mild-moderate haze; no foam on the pour
S: tart cherry, sour brown ale maltiness, dark fruit and perfumy undertones... excellent intensity and depth
T: much of the aromas carry over onto the palate... the cherry is relatively prominent and is complimented beautifully by the wine barrel character (wood, raisin)... tart up top, lightly demerara-like malt underbelly
F: round and rolly, but buoyant... served with a healthy charge of gas, giving it more levity... a bit viscous on the edges, but remaining soft on the palate, despite some tartness causing a bit of pucker... could slug a mug
O: second time ever having this, second time on draft at Monk's... love this liquid; 3-4 sips are not enough... why oh why have bottles never been out east?... gotta get one (2098)
Rated by DucksFan16 from Tennessee
4.34/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.34/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
2018 vintage at 12.5%
May 07, 2022Reviewed by Gatch from Massachusetts
4.47/5 rDev +6.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
4.47/5 rDev +6.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
On tap at the brewery. Incredible cherry character with added barrel qualities. Such a great sour. Rich and dark with the fruitiness that makes cherries so perfect for dark beers and aging. Been waiting 15 years to try this and it does not disappoint!
Oct 12, 2021Reviewed by Sigmund from Norway
4.22/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.22/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle, as The Lost Abbey Cuvée de Tomme, kindly shared by gunnar. Dark ruby colour, large beige head. Unusual and very complex aroma, oaky and vinous notes, sour cherries and farmhouse. Sour flavour but not extreme, the cherries are there but not totally dominant, also oaky notes.
Mar 19, 2021Reviewed by mwilbur from Minnesota
4.42/5 rDev +5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.42/5 rDev +5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
12.5%. Poured from 750 mL bottle into snifter.
A: Pours a murky dark ruby amber/brown hue with no head.
S: Bourbon cherries, vinous berries (cranberries, strawberries, and raspberries), a distinct wild yeast, oak, and a soft burnt caramel note.
T: Mouth-puckering tart cherries hits first, quickly followed by warming spices and vinous berries as well as soft oak tannins, subtle sweet bourbon, and hints of nutty vanilla and elusive caramel.
M: Medium body. A burst of tart fruit followed by softer sweet elements. Some warming aspects too. Lingers and matures nicely on the palate.
D: Lovely and layered! Take your time to sip, savor, and enjoy. Let this open up a bit for best experience (seems to allow the stronger tart notes to better balance with the rest of the brew).
Oct 13, 2020A: Pours a murky dark ruby amber/brown hue with no head.
S: Bourbon cherries, vinous berries (cranberries, strawberries, and raspberries), a distinct wild yeast, oak, and a soft burnt caramel note.
T: Mouth-puckering tart cherries hits first, quickly followed by warming spices and vinous berries as well as soft oak tannins, subtle sweet bourbon, and hints of nutty vanilla and elusive caramel.
M: Medium body. A burst of tart fruit followed by softer sweet elements. Some warming aspects too. Lingers and matures nicely on the palate.
D: Lovely and layered! Take your time to sip, savor, and enjoy. Let this open up a bit for best experience (seems to allow the stronger tart notes to better balance with the rest of the brew).
Reviewed by SHODriver from North Carolina
4.5/5 rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.5/5 rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A: Poured into a snifter to what is essentially a black beer. Due to being essentially still there in a small off white collar around the edge of the glass
S: The beer smells of acidity and sour cherries with hints of oak and bitter dark chocolate
T: Taste is tart cherries, dark chocolate, sourness, oak, and some nice funk with a pleasant amount of sourness throughout. On the swallow there's more sour cherries, dark chocolate, oak, funk, and lingering sour cherry.
M: This beer has a moderate amount of body with a slightly slick feel on the palate. Carbonation is essentially non existent while the beer has a drying finish due to the acidity.
O: Overall this is a really nice beer. It has some great flavors and some excellent complexity. Not sure how old this is but I think I got it when I lived in CA which makes it at least five years old. No serious signs of oxidation or falling off so I'd say this one held up very well. Worth a try if they still make it.
Oct 25, 2019S: The beer smells of acidity and sour cherries with hints of oak and bitter dark chocolate
T: Taste is tart cherries, dark chocolate, sourness, oak, and some nice funk with a pleasant amount of sourness throughout. On the swallow there's more sour cherries, dark chocolate, oak, funk, and lingering sour cherry.
M: This beer has a moderate amount of body with a slightly slick feel on the palate. Carbonation is essentially non existent while the beer has a drying finish due to the acidity.
O: Overall this is a really nice beer. It has some great flavors and some excellent complexity. Not sure how old this is but I think I got it when I lived in CA which makes it at least five years old. No serious signs of oxidation or falling off so I'd say this one held up very well. Worth a try if they still make it.
Reviewed by bobv from Vermont
4.31/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.31/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
2009 Vintage.
750 ml. bottle.
Vigorous pour yields a 1/8 inch fleeting head over a garnet edged brown body with no lacing as head is long gone. Nose of dried dark fruit (mostly raisins, some strawberries, and some cherries), grapes, cherries, and slight bourbon. Taste nearly mirrors nose with the raisins taking over. Wonderfully tart finish with some red wine tannins, slight red wine vinegar and finally turning to just the tiniest bit of strawberries, cherries, and raisins at the end. Whoa! Nice feel for a wild ale of this age. Overall, a wonderful experience to behold! Cheers!!
Aug 12, 2019750 ml. bottle.
Vigorous pour yields a 1/8 inch fleeting head over a garnet edged brown body with no lacing as head is long gone. Nose of dried dark fruit (mostly raisins, some strawberries, and some cherries), grapes, cherries, and slight bourbon. Taste nearly mirrors nose with the raisins taking over. Wonderfully tart finish with some red wine tannins, slight red wine vinegar and finally turning to just the tiniest bit of strawberries, cherries, and raisins at the end. Whoa! Nice feel for a wild ale of this age. Overall, a wonderful experience to behold! Cheers!!
Reviewed by socon67 from New York
4.46/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.46/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Finally got to try this one. Muddy brown pour. The scent of raisins reminds me of Golden Fruit cookies; in fact the flavors have a slight bready note before giving to raisins. A very tasty beer and one that is perfect with a bold cheese.
Jun 06, 2019Reviewed by npolachek from New York
4.44/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.44/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Tons of depth - cherries, Brett, great complexity. Drank this at Monks Cafe in Philadelphia. Some bourbon as well as raisin. Great beer and very drinkable.
May 27, 2019Reviewed by DIM from Pennsylvania
4.55/5 rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.55/5 rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
I'm not really into sour beer anymore and I don't think I've had anything from Lost Abbey since the good old flat Abbey days. Saw this on tap tonight and couldn't resist giving it a shot, I'm glad I did.
Layer upon layer of depth here, all incredibly harmonious. The sour cherry/red wine vinegar notes are most prominent. They are robust and satisfying, without being puckeringly abrasive.
Some Bourbon barrel sweetness, figs/raisins, and sweet bread malts are all discernible as well. The carbonation was spot on, soft and creamy I am happy to report. ;)
May 14, 2019Layer upon layer of depth here, all incredibly harmonious. The sour cherry/red wine vinegar notes are most prominent. They are robust and satisfying, without being puckeringly abrasive.
Some Bourbon barrel sweetness, figs/raisins, and sweet bread malts are all discernible as well. The carbonation was spot on, soft and creamy I am happy to report. ;)
Cuvee De Tomme from The Lost Abbey
Beer rating:
94 out of
100 with
1281 ratings
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