Cuvee De Tomme
The Lost Abbey
Beer Geek Stats
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- Style:
- Wild Ale
Ranked #160 - ABV:
- 11%
- Score:
- 94
Ranked #1,272 - Avg:
- 4.25 | pDev: 10.82%
- Reviews:
- 425
- Ratings:
- From:
- The Lost Abbey
- California, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating/Seasonal
- Wants
- 680
- Gots
- 266
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.
Reviews: 425
| Ratings: 1,269
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Sigmund from Norway
4.22/5 rDev -0.7%
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, 2021
4.22/5 rDev -0.7%
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, 2021
mwilbur from Minnesota
4.42/5 rDev +4%
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, 2020
4.42/5 rDev +4%
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, 2020
SHODriver from North Carolina
4.5/5 rDev +5.9%
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, 2019
4.5/5 rDev +5.9%
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, 2019
bobv from Vermont
4.31/5 rDev +1.4%
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, 2019
4.31/5 rDev +1.4%
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, 2019
socon67 from New York
4.46/5 rDev +4.9%
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, 2019
4.46/5 rDev +4.9%
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, 2019
npolachek from New York
4.44/5 rDev +4.5%
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, 2019
4.44/5 rDev +4.5%
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, 2019
DIM from Pennsylvania
4.55/5 rDev +7.1%
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, 2019
4.55/5 rDev +7.1%
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, 2019
Smakawhat from Maryland
4.49/5 rDev +5.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured from the bottle into a tulip glass.
Really dark bodied, pouring mahogany deep brown and filling with a black walnut and almost purplish dark quality. Head creation is faint tan, almost purple as well, with a faint pencil collar. Very neat looking wild brew.
Delicious smelling tart cherries. Excellent acidity on the beer, with a touch of almost balsamic vinegar sweetness but sticks to more robust red wine like vinegar and malt but far more rich bouquet. Juicy tart cherry quality litterally smells like you can bite right into it.
Wow this is just great on the palate. Full rounded rich almost carbernet thick like wine flavors. Bursting rich cherries in the mid palate, thick malt like sourness and almost dough cherry bread licking down the back. Finishes with rich woody and splintery touches, and has no alcohol boozy quality or burn.
Drinks like an incredible delicious rich red serious wine, but is full of excellent tart beer wild greatness. Fantastic stuff, definitely will remember this one.
Aug 29, 2018
4.49/5 rDev +5.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured from the bottle into a tulip glass.
Really dark bodied, pouring mahogany deep brown and filling with a black walnut and almost purplish dark quality. Head creation is faint tan, almost purple as well, with a faint pencil collar. Very neat looking wild brew.
Delicious smelling tart cherries. Excellent acidity on the beer, with a touch of almost balsamic vinegar sweetness but sticks to more robust red wine like vinegar and malt but far more rich bouquet. Juicy tart cherry quality litterally smells like you can bite right into it.
Wow this is just great on the palate. Full rounded rich almost carbernet thick like wine flavors. Bursting rich cherries in the mid palate, thick malt like sourness and almost dough cherry bread licking down the back. Finishes with rich woody and splintery touches, and has no alcohol boozy quality or burn.
Drinks like an incredible delicious rich red serious wine, but is full of excellent tart beer wild greatness. Fantastic stuff, definitely will remember this one.
Aug 29, 2018
AnitaBrewski from Massachusetts
4.5/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
This is a fantastic beer. I had to set a celebration for my good friend Ayla at Mead Hall in Cambridge. You can’t go wrong with the cuvée Des Tomme!
Apr 18, 2018
4.5/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
This is a fantastic beer. I had to set a celebration for my good friend Ayla at Mead Hall in Cambridge. You can’t go wrong with the cuvée Des Tomme!
Apr 18, 2018
Sabtos from Ohio
3.95/5 rDev -7.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Very dark red, nearing stout color, with a thin tan ring.
Smell is toasty char, soft oak, toasted sesame, red grape and red wine vinegar.
Taste is smooth and not harsh at all with a nicely sour red wine and grape start giving way to slight char and tannins, finishing with a hint of gummies.
Body is mediium-full, soft with a lightly sharp, semi-dry sting.
Feb 24, 2018
3.95/5 rDev -7.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Very dark red, nearing stout color, with a thin tan ring.
Smell is toasty char, soft oak, toasted sesame, red grape and red wine vinegar.
Taste is smooth and not harsh at all with a nicely sour red wine and grape start giving way to slight char and tannins, finishing with a hint of gummies.
Body is mediium-full, soft with a lightly sharp, semi-dry sting.
Feb 24, 2018
thebeers from Pennsylvania
4.07/5 rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Ruby-tinted black with a very thin light tan head.
Sour grapes, cherry, vinegar and soy in the nose.
Nice sour, cherry flavor. Raisin, too. Mild earthy, pilly bitterness in aftertaste.
Creamy, very well carbonated feel. Nice fizziness to it.
A nice and fruity, creamy sour. Not unlike Alexander, although not quite at that level.
Feb 19, 2018
4.07/5 rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Ruby-tinted black with a very thin light tan head.
Sour grapes, cherry, vinegar and soy in the nose.
Nice sour, cherry flavor. Raisin, too. Mild earthy, pilly bitterness in aftertaste.
Creamy, very well carbonated feel. Nice fizziness to it.
A nice and fruity, creamy sour. Not unlike Alexander, although not quite at that level.
Feb 19, 2018
Phineasco from Massachusetts
4.45/5 rDev +4.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Look: Mahogany brown with medium white head.
Smell: Cherry, ginger, mulled spices, oak, damp funk, raisins, Candied sugar, and tobacco.
Taste: Cherry, leather, damp funk, Candied sugar, toffee, and tobacco.
Mouthfeel: Full and Complex.
Overall: Not my favorite style, but a great interesting beer.
Feb 05, 2018
4.45/5 rDev +4.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Look: Mahogany brown with medium white head.
Smell: Cherry, ginger, mulled spices, oak, damp funk, raisins, Candied sugar, and tobacco.
Taste: Cherry, leather, damp funk, Candied sugar, toffee, and tobacco.
Mouthfeel: Full and Complex.
Overall: Not my favorite style, but a great interesting beer.
Feb 05, 2018
VashonGuy from Washington
4.06/5 rDev -4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Cuvee Tomme is a bit unusual, in my experience, almost an odd duck. The appearance is reddish, without much head. The aroma is understated, but the taste is big: fruity, dry, and tart. It's tart but not really sour. This beer is quite a bit different from Flanders Reds or Oud Bruins, or similar beers. The oak is really prominent, especially in the aftertaste. I happen to like the combination a lot, but I can easily see how it might put others off. Recommended if you like woody beers and dry fruity sours.
Serving was on tap.
Dec 21, 2017
4.06/5 rDev -4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Cuvee Tomme is a bit unusual, in my experience, almost an odd duck. The appearance is reddish, without much head. The aroma is understated, but the taste is big: fruity, dry, and tart. It's tart but not really sour. This beer is quite a bit different from Flanders Reds or Oud Bruins, or similar beers. The oak is really prominent, especially in the aftertaste. I happen to like the combination a lot, but I can easily see how it might put others off. Recommended if you like woody beers and dry fruity sours.
Serving was on tap.
Dec 21, 2017
q33jeff from New Jersey
2.15/5 rDev -49.4%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.75
**
06/02/2017
On tap at Uno, california no ipa day.
AROMA: Tart cherry, mold, yeast.
TASTE: Tart cherry, mold, grains, yeast.
Not my thing. Overly tart and puckering.
**
Jun 03, 2017
2.15/5 rDev -49.4%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.75
**
06/02/2017
On tap at Uno, california no ipa day.
AROMA: Tart cherry, mold, yeast.
TASTE: Tart cherry, mold, grains, yeast.
Not my thing. Overly tart and puckering.
**
Jun 03, 2017
Brolo75 from California
4.56/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
750 ml bottle poured into a Teku glass
A: Pours dark brown with a tan colored head, no head retention, no carbonation, very nice ruby brown edges when held up to the light.
A: Massive amounts of cherry aromas, sour tartness, oak, funk, touch of light brown sugar sweetness, alcohol is not present on the aroma, smells very promising.
T: Cherry tartness up front, touch of light funk, sourness, some oak, very balanced, finish has a lot of cherries as if the flavor and dryness is sticking to my gums, some caramel, brown sugar sweetness as well, a world class beer.
M: Medium bodied with a very dry finish, low carbonation.
O: Very impressed with this beer, lots of cherries in the aroma and flavor, however, it's balanced with oak, sour, and tart notes as well a slight touch of brown sugar sweetness, it's amazingly drinkable for the ABV, definitely worth the money, looking forward to see how well my other bottles age.
Mar 26, 2017
4.56/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
750 ml bottle poured into a Teku glass
A: Pours dark brown with a tan colored head, no head retention, no carbonation, very nice ruby brown edges when held up to the light.
A: Massive amounts of cherry aromas, sour tartness, oak, funk, touch of light brown sugar sweetness, alcohol is not present on the aroma, smells very promising.
T: Cherry tartness up front, touch of light funk, sourness, some oak, very balanced, finish has a lot of cherries as if the flavor and dryness is sticking to my gums, some caramel, brown sugar sweetness as well, a world class beer.
M: Medium bodied with a very dry finish, low carbonation.
O: Very impressed with this beer, lots of cherries in the aroma and flavor, however, it's balanced with oak, sour, and tart notes as well a slight touch of brown sugar sweetness, it's amazingly drinkable for the ABV, definitely worth the money, looking forward to see how well my other bottles age.
Mar 26, 2017
JohnnyHopps from Indiana
4.41/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Appearance - The beer seems to be a deep amber color with little visible carbonation.
Smell - The nose is sour with a pleasant oakiness.
Taste - I am impressed with an overall sour profile. The cherry is sour but has a background of sweetness from candy sugar. The oak gives a dry impression that continues to the end. I also get a little of cinnamon. The cherries matured nicely in this one.
Mouthfeel - Though it seems thin, the oak gives an impression of stickiness.
Overall - This is great. Seek it.
Jun 19, 2016
4.41/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Appearance - The beer seems to be a deep amber color with little visible carbonation.
Smell - The nose is sour with a pleasant oakiness.
Taste - I am impressed with an overall sour profile. The cherry is sour but has a background of sweetness from candy sugar. The oak gives a dry impression that continues to the end. I also get a little of cinnamon. The cherries matured nicely in this one.
Mouthfeel - Though it seems thin, the oak gives an impression of stickiness.
Overall - This is great. Seek it.
Jun 19, 2016
zeledonia from Washington
4.16/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
On-tap at Chuck's Greenwood in Seattle. Tasted 3 June 2016.
Pours a deep, murky brown. More head than the glass would take, decent retention, some lacing. Fine.
Smell is a lovely mix of potent sweet malty stuff, cherries, sharp acidic sour. Really nice.
Taste is like an unbalanced version of the smell. The fruit comes through, but all the subtlety is blasted out of the way by the sour, which is a little more acrid than I'd like.
Feel is good. Fairly heavy, but well carbonated to keep things moving. Feels like a sour, with that prickly lightness dominating any residual malty sludge I thought I might get based on the appearance.
A decent sour. The taste is chaotic, and I lose things I'd like to be able to taste.
Jun 04, 2016
4.16/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
On-tap at Chuck's Greenwood in Seattle. Tasted 3 June 2016.
Pours a deep, murky brown. More head than the glass would take, decent retention, some lacing. Fine.
Smell is a lovely mix of potent sweet malty stuff, cherries, sharp acidic sour. Really nice.
Taste is like an unbalanced version of the smell. The fruit comes through, but all the subtlety is blasted out of the way by the sour, which is a little more acrid than I'd like.
Feel is good. Fairly heavy, but well carbonated to keep things moving. Feels like a sour, with that prickly lightness dominating any residual malty sludge I thought I might get based on the appearance.
A decent sour. The taste is chaotic, and I lose things I'd like to be able to taste.
Jun 04, 2016
rodbeermunch from Nevada
4.24/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Looks a brown and red color, more brownish. Thin head 1/5" off white to tan. Aroma was nice, berries, cherries, oak, dark fruit, sourness.
Taste hid the alcohol amazingly well, lots of wine (red) notes, tannins, vanilla. Man, the base beer for this sucks by itself, but do this magic and it comes along so nice. Carbonation issues have come around, they used to be close to flat and terrible customer service from the brewery made some shy away. I've checked 'em out when I can get the 375ml bottles for $15, but I wouldn't stock up, its just a nice beer to have in the cellar for a special occasion.
Apr 19, 2016
4.24/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Looks a brown and red color, more brownish. Thin head 1/5" off white to tan. Aroma was nice, berries, cherries, oak, dark fruit, sourness.
Taste hid the alcohol amazingly well, lots of wine (red) notes, tannins, vanilla. Man, the base beer for this sucks by itself, but do this magic and it comes along so nice. Carbonation issues have come around, they used to be close to flat and terrible customer service from the brewery made some shy away. I've checked 'em out when I can get the 375ml bottles for $15, but I wouldn't stock up, its just a nice beer to have in the cellar for a special occasion.
Apr 19, 2016
nhindian from Pennsylvania
4.59/5 rDev +8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Appearance - Pours a beautiful burgundy color with great clarity despite the dark nature. The head is a light tan with zesty carbonation and a short height.
Aroma - The nose is tart but is ripe with sour cherry, vinious notes, and a strong barrel presence. The oak imparts subtle aromas of vanilla and wood with an underlying bourbon sweetness.
Taste - The flavor is quite complex as it spans the spectrum from sweet to sour while delicately balancing a vinegar note that just goes far enough without being overwhelming. At first, the barrel comes along deliver a surprisingly strong vanilla taste that serves as a foundation for the sour notes to play on. I'm actually surprised that the sweetness comes through so much, but it is very welcome. From there, the tannic qualities of the barrel serve as a segue for the tartness to come. Cherries form the strongest flavor here, giving both sour and an earthy, pit taste. It finally leads to a vinegar note that pushes the boundaries of the level I like in this type of beer, but never fully crosses the line. Rounding out the finish is a resurgence of sweetness, as the vanilla combines with the oak and bourbon to allude towards a booze-soaked cherry dessert that is delicious.
Mouthfeel - The mouthfeel is medium-bodied with okay carbonation. This serving is from a growler that was filled about a week ago, so there's probably some variance here. The feel on the palate is great, though, as the tartness forces some puckering, and when combined with the tannic astringency of the barrel, is a winning duo.
Closing Arguments - Overall, this is a wonderful beer. It is complex enough that it evolves over time, but the formula throughout is the same. The barrel and cherries are the stars here, and the play between them as the temperature changes is a thing of beauty. While there is a boozy quality, it never seems hot, and I would never guess this is an 11% beer. This is a beer I will surely seek out in the future.
Apr 19, 2016
4.59/5 rDev +8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Appearance - Pours a beautiful burgundy color with great clarity despite the dark nature. The head is a light tan with zesty carbonation and a short height.
Aroma - The nose is tart but is ripe with sour cherry, vinious notes, and a strong barrel presence. The oak imparts subtle aromas of vanilla and wood with an underlying bourbon sweetness.
Taste - The flavor is quite complex as it spans the spectrum from sweet to sour while delicately balancing a vinegar note that just goes far enough without being overwhelming. At first, the barrel comes along deliver a surprisingly strong vanilla taste that serves as a foundation for the sour notes to play on. I'm actually surprised that the sweetness comes through so much, but it is very welcome. From there, the tannic qualities of the barrel serve as a segue for the tartness to come. Cherries form the strongest flavor here, giving both sour and an earthy, pit taste. It finally leads to a vinegar note that pushes the boundaries of the level I like in this type of beer, but never fully crosses the line. Rounding out the finish is a resurgence of sweetness, as the vanilla combines with the oak and bourbon to allude towards a booze-soaked cherry dessert that is delicious.
Mouthfeel - The mouthfeel is medium-bodied with okay carbonation. This serving is from a growler that was filled about a week ago, so there's probably some variance here. The feel on the palate is great, though, as the tartness forces some puckering, and when combined with the tannic astringency of the barrel, is a winning duo.
Closing Arguments - Overall, this is a wonderful beer. It is complex enough that it evolves over time, but the formula throughout is the same. The barrel and cherries are the stars here, and the play between them as the temperature changes is a thing of beauty. While there is a boozy quality, it never seems hot, and I would never guess this is an 11% beer. This is a beer I will surely seek out in the future.
Apr 19, 2016
frasergrove from California
3.72/5 rDev -12.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
2012 pour at the Monk's Kettle. Dark amber/murky brown with an insignificant head. Aroma is partially toffee (likely oxidation), touches of sweet sugarcane, minor fruit esters. Nice mouthfeel with medium light tartness, Flavor is not entirely enticing. Interesting sour.
Jan 24, 2016
3.72/5 rDev -12.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
2012 pour at the Monk's Kettle. Dark amber/murky brown with an insignificant head. Aroma is partially toffee (likely oxidation), touches of sweet sugarcane, minor fruit esters. Nice mouthfeel with medium light tartness, Flavor is not entirely enticing. Interesting sour.
Jan 24, 2016
Tele from California
4.04/5 rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Serving Type: Bottle
Consumed: 11.21.15
A: 4 Pours a cloudy, reddish-brown. No head at all; totally flat.
S: 4.25 Aromas are very nice. There’s lots of cherry, mild vinegar, oak, vanilla, raisins, and mild funk. Reminds me a lot of Rodenbach grand cru with more fruit and warm, toasted oak.
T: 4 Flavors start off a bit sweet and move into a pleasant, lactic tartness. Cherries and blackberries mix well with oak and vanilla. Tannic oak is pretty strong, but doesn’t give off a strong bourbon character. Finish lingers with slight, fruity sweetness.
M: 3.75 Like the pour suggested, this beer is very undercarbonated. Since it’s a big beer, the lack of carbonation makes the beer feel heavy and slick.
O: 4 If this beer was carbonated it would be stellar; it’s actually surprising how good it tastes flat. Still a pretty nice beer with some interesting flavors. I’ll just grab Rodenbach next time.
Nov 22, 2015
4.04/5 rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Serving Type: Bottle
Consumed: 11.21.15
A: 4 Pours a cloudy, reddish-brown. No head at all; totally flat.
S: 4.25 Aromas are very nice. There’s lots of cherry, mild vinegar, oak, vanilla, raisins, and mild funk. Reminds me a lot of Rodenbach grand cru with more fruit and warm, toasted oak.
T: 4 Flavors start off a bit sweet and move into a pleasant, lactic tartness. Cherries and blackberries mix well with oak and vanilla. Tannic oak is pretty strong, but doesn’t give off a strong bourbon character. Finish lingers with slight, fruity sweetness.
M: 3.75 Like the pour suggested, this beer is very undercarbonated. Since it’s a big beer, the lack of carbonation makes the beer feel heavy and slick.
O: 4 If this beer was carbonated it would be stellar; it’s actually surprising how good it tastes flat. Still a pretty nice beer with some interesting flavors. I’ll just grab Rodenbach next time.
Nov 22, 2015
rlee1390 from Indiana
4.1/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Flat, nice cherry, good bourbon, but lacking much in the way of sour. However the lack of carbonation is really what ends up hurting the beer. Better sour would have been nice though.
Aug 06, 2015
4.1/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Flat, nice cherry, good bourbon, but lacking much in the way of sour. However the lack of carbonation is really what ends up hurting the beer. Better sour would have been nice though.
Aug 06, 2015
unclekeith from Alaska
3.65/5 rDev -14.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.5
Served in a Teku
L: Light brown with a massive white head
S:Funk dominates with some cherries
T: Wood, ripe fruit, cherry, no sourness, light bourbon
F: No alcohol, thick
O: meh,
Aug 05, 2015
3.65/5 rDev -14.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.5
Served in a Teku
L: Light brown with a massive white head
S:Funk dominates with some cherries
T: Wood, ripe fruit, cherry, no sourness, light bourbon
F: No alcohol, thick
O: meh,
Aug 05, 2015
-Rick from Massachusetts
4.25/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
L: pours a dirty red/brown color, almost no head.
S: cherries, and chocolate hints. funky sour smells as well
T: cherries and raisins. A nice tart lingering cherry flavor
F: crisp, with not much carbonation at all
O: A nice brew!
Jul 05, 2015
4.25/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
L: pours a dirty red/brown color, almost no head.
S: cherries, and chocolate hints. funky sour smells as well
T: cherries and raisins. A nice tart lingering cherry flavor
F: crisp, with not much carbonation at all
O: A nice brew!
Jul 05, 2015
VelvetExtract from Massachusetts
4.16/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
EBF sample. Pours a turbid, light brown color. Aroma is both sweet and tart. Reminds me of a Flanders Oud Bruin. Cherries are tart and also sweet smelling. There is also a good dose of funk and other fruits. A bit oaky. The flavor is sweet with some dark fruits and caramel and cola. Also there is a good dose of tart cherry. Quite complex. Finishes with some oak. Has some heftiness to the body but I'm shocked that it's 11%. I've wanted to try this for a while and I found it to be a rather interesting 2 ounces.
Mar 22, 2015
4.16/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
EBF sample. Pours a turbid, light brown color. Aroma is both sweet and tart. Reminds me of a Flanders Oud Bruin. Cherries are tart and also sweet smelling. There is also a good dose of funk and other fruits. A bit oaky. The flavor is sweet with some dark fruits and caramel and cola. Also there is a good dose of tart cherry. Quite complex. Finishes with some oak. Has some heftiness to the body but I'm shocked that it's 11%. I've wanted to try this for a while and I found it to be a rather interesting 2 ounces.
Mar 22, 2015
Cuvee De Tomme from The Lost Abbey
Beer rating:
94 out of
100 with
1269 ratings
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