Gift Of The Magi | The Lost Abbey
Brewed by:
The Lost Abbey
California, United States
lostabbey.com
Style: Bière de Garde
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 12.00%
Availability: Fall
Notes / Commercial Description:
It seems that everyone knows the story of the Three Kings. Sent to follow the star in the sky each brought a gift for the baby they sought. One King brought Gold, the other Frankincense and the other Myrrh. Many breweries produce a Christmas Seasonal beer and this is our beer to celebrate the holiday season.
Added by BeerBeing on 06-10-2007
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Ratings: 744 | Reviews: 314
Reviews by ejquin:
More User Reviews:
3.79/5 rDev -0.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.45/5 rDev -9.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
750 ml bottle. Pours an amber orange with a white head that quickly goes to a thin collar.
The aroma is hard to pin down - sweet malts, some bretty yeast, a little fruit and some spices and bubblegum.
The flavor is similar to the aroma. Some sweet sugary/buttery malts, a little acidic yeast, some spices (pepper) and a decent amount of bitterness in the finish. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with low carbonation.
Overall, an interesting Belgian.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
750 ml bottle. Pours an amber orange with a white head that quickly goes to a thin collar.
The aroma is hard to pin down - sweet malts, some bretty yeast, a little fruit and some spices and bubblegum.
The flavor is similar to the aroma. Some sweet sugary/buttery malts, a little acidic yeast, some spices (pepper) and a decent amount of bitterness in the finish. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with low carbonation.
Overall, an interesting Belgian.
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4.15/5 rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
This was a gift bottled for my efforts in the Phila Beer Geek competition last Spring. This is a extremely drinkable beer for the heft. I really liked the balance and smoothness. There was a good bit of yeast at the bottem of the bottle but it all went in the glass. I was picking up a tad of citrus on the finish. Very nice beer overall.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
This was a gift bottled for my efforts in the Phila Beer Geek competition last Spring. This is a extremely drinkable beer for the heft. I really liked the balance and smoothness. There was a good bit of yeast at the bottem of the bottle but it all went in the glass. I was picking up a tad of citrus on the finish. Very nice beer overall.
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4/5 rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Large bottle, caged and corked, 2008 edition. Purchased at Julio's world class beer stop in Massachusetts. Opened with a fairly wimpy "poof" and poured murky medium peach, under a light tan head, that left plenty of fine spots and blobs of lace. Light perfume, a hint of cheesy must and ripe fruit goodness in the nose. The label proclaims this one as a beer de Garde with an addition of Brett. I do get some minor funk notes. Cheese, mold and light horsy whiffs. Resiny dryness in the finish. I like. Complex, mysterious and tasty. Bring out some pungent cheese and grilled foods and enjoy.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Large bottle, caged and corked, 2008 edition. Purchased at Julio's world class beer stop in Massachusetts. Opened with a fairly wimpy "poof" and poured murky medium peach, under a light tan head, that left plenty of fine spots and blobs of lace. Light perfume, a hint of cheesy must and ripe fruit goodness in the nose. The label proclaims this one as a beer de Garde with an addition of Brett. I do get some minor funk notes. Cheese, mold and light horsy whiffs. Resiny dryness in the finish. I like. Complex, mysterious and tasty. Bring out some pungent cheese and grilled foods and enjoy.
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3.9/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: 1/4 inch head, clear, red/brown in color, high carbonation
Smell: plum, clove, spices, and bread
Taste: plum, clove, holiday spices, dark fruit, and bread
Mouthfeel: sweet start-bitter second taste and a sweeter end, high carbonation, light bodied.
Drinkability: A very good beer, but not excellent. I do like the plum and holiday spices. Similar to Abita's Christmas Ale. Could have several.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: 1/4 inch head, clear, red/brown in color, high carbonation
Smell: plum, clove, spices, and bread
Taste: plum, clove, holiday spices, dark fruit, and bread
Mouthfeel: sweet start-bitter second taste and a sweeter end, high carbonation, light bodied.
Drinkability: A very good beer, but not excellent. I do like the plum and holiday spices. Similar to Abita's Christmas Ale. Could have several.
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4.21/5 rDev +10.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Caramel colored with an off-white head with excellent retention and lacing. Somewhat funky aroma, I swear I get a small amount of resinous hops too. Earthy, hay, maybe a touch of funk, but I still get more of the resinous hops in here. I think I get some tastes of lemon and oats too, if that makes sense. Medium bodied with a dry-ish hoppy finish; higher than medium carbonation. A rather different beer, but still quite good.
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look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Caramel colored with an off-white head with excellent retention and lacing. Somewhat funky aroma, I swear I get a small amount of resinous hops too. Earthy, hay, maybe a touch of funk, but I still get more of the resinous hops in here. I think I get some tastes of lemon and oats too, if that makes sense. Medium bodied with a dry-ish hoppy finish; higher than medium carbonation. A rather different beer, but still quite good.
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4/5 rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Thanks to hophead101 for sending me this beer.
2008 vintage. The beer pours a brownish-orange color with a white head. The aroma is brett funk, citrus, caramel and pepper. The flavor is more of the same with some nice orange notes mixing with the brett. The brett gives it a little leather flavor and there is also some spicy pepper as well. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Thanks to hophead101 for sending me this beer.
2008 vintage. The beer pours a brownish-orange color with a white head. The aroma is brett funk, citrus, caramel and pepper. The flavor is more of the same with some nice orange notes mixing with the brett. The brett gives it a little leather flavor and there is also some spicy pepper as well. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation.
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4.03/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a dark auburn with a frothy tan head. Nothing "pale" about this. The head sticks around for quite a while and leaves a thick lacing. Perfume aroma of pepper, wheat, grass, oranges, minerals, and funky wood. Fruity, herbal taste. Dried peaches, more orange peel, some white pepper, apples, and caramel malt make up the taste. In the background, there is a constant herb/mineral/oaky taste which I presume is from the Frankincense and Myrhh, but having never tried those things on their own, I don't know. Nevertheless, this is a fantastic beer.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a dark auburn with a frothy tan head. Nothing "pale" about this. The head sticks around for quite a while and leaves a thick lacing. Perfume aroma of pepper, wheat, grass, oranges, minerals, and funky wood. Fruity, herbal taste. Dried peaches, more orange peel, some white pepper, apples, and caramel malt make up the taste. In the background, there is a constant herb/mineral/oaky taste which I presume is from the Frankincense and Myrhh, but having never tried those things on their own, I don't know. Nevertheless, this is a fantastic beer.
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4.6/5 rDev +20.4%
Prune and dark dried fruit dominate the nose over some dark sugar and molasses aromas.
The beer pours deep dark reddish amber and produces a 2” off white finely bubbled foam cap that produced prodigious lace and some legs when the glass is swirled.
This big and bold beer hits the palate with creamy dark dried fruits, big malt, spice and dark sugars suggesting dense fruit cake flavors but with all its big boldness it comes across surprisingly light. While the beer leaves a little sugar on the lips at the finish, yeast fruit flavors, alcohol and hops keep the malt in control resulting in a beer with rich complexity that is never cloying or out of balance. It suggests a bourbon drink made with bitters such as an old fashioned or Manhattan.
Although you notice a slight warming as you drink the beer, the rich flavors for the most part keep the alcohol hidden.
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Prune and dark dried fruit dominate the nose over some dark sugar and molasses aromas.
The beer pours deep dark reddish amber and produces a 2” off white finely bubbled foam cap that produced prodigious lace and some legs when the glass is swirled.
This big and bold beer hits the palate with creamy dark dried fruits, big malt, spice and dark sugars suggesting dense fruit cake flavors but with all its big boldness it comes across surprisingly light. While the beer leaves a little sugar on the lips at the finish, yeast fruit flavors, alcohol and hops keep the malt in control resulting in a beer with rich complexity that is never cloying or out of balance. It suggests a bourbon drink made with bitters such as an old fashioned or Manhattan.
Although you notice a slight warming as you drink the beer, the rich flavors for the most part keep the alcohol hidden.
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3.76/5 rDev -1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
On Tap
Churchill's Pub & Grille
San Marcos, CA
A dark copper and rust with a thick and tight white soapy head that stays perched atop the glass. Rings of sticky lacing slide down the glass. Beautiful.
A combination of lemon and black pepper in the nose. A bit of of dried apricot and some mild Brett funk as well.
Mild lemon, Brett, and a bit of spice. A bit of sweet fruit and caramel malt but a very mild tasting beer in nearly every regard. The alcohol is hidden extraordinarily well. I still don't believe this is a 10% ABV beer.
The mouthfeel is the star of the show with this beer. Highly carbonated, luscious yet smooth, full and bold yet smooth and easy drinking. Little to no alcohol presence. Impressive.
An easy drinking Biere de Garde with a surprisingly high ABV. A good and interesting effort.
815 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
On Tap
Churchill's Pub & Grille
San Marcos, CA
A dark copper and rust with a thick and tight white soapy head that stays perched atop the glass. Rings of sticky lacing slide down the glass. Beautiful.
A combination of lemon and black pepper in the nose. A bit of of dried apricot and some mild Brett funk as well.
Mild lemon, Brett, and a bit of spice. A bit of sweet fruit and caramel malt but a very mild tasting beer in nearly every regard. The alcohol is hidden extraordinarily well. I still don't believe this is a 10% ABV beer.
The mouthfeel is the star of the show with this beer. Highly carbonated, luscious yet smooth, full and bold yet smooth and easy drinking. Little to no alcohol presence. Impressive.
An easy drinking Biere de Garde with a surprisingly high ABV. A good and interesting effort.
815 characters
1.79/5 rDev -53.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5
Served in a 12 oz. goblet, at cellar temps, at SPTR.
A- murky reddish brown with a very thin head that had almost no lasting power
S- I could not smell much more than the burn of alcohol. maybe a little citrus
T- Alcohol is the predominant flavor, there is very little else. It tastes like a vodka and tonic drink that got really watered down
M- the very light body and high alcohol makes the beer very dry and astringent
D- I could only barely finish this one beer, I'm glad I had friends around to help me finish this
This beer completely lacked any kind of fruity, funky flavor I was looking for, it was lacking of body, taste, but certainly not alcohol
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look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5
Served in a 12 oz. goblet, at cellar temps, at SPTR.
A- murky reddish brown with a very thin head that had almost no lasting power
S- I could not smell much more than the burn of alcohol. maybe a little citrus
T- Alcohol is the predominant flavor, there is very little else. It tastes like a vodka and tonic drink that got really watered down
M- the very light body and high alcohol makes the beer very dry and astringent
D- I could only barely finish this one beer, I'm glad I had friends around to help me finish this
This beer completely lacked any kind of fruity, funky flavor I was looking for, it was lacking of body, taste, but certainly not alcohol
662 characters
2.9/5 rDev -24.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3
This beer pours a cloudy reddish ornage color, with almost no head. The tiny head fades instantly, leaving a very light lacing.
This beer has a spicy aroma of coriander. I can detect some citrus lemony aroma. Some grain aroma is also present.
This beer tastes like it smells. Some citrus fruit and spice. It has a slight earthy funky flavor also. There may be avery subtle sour flavor, but it is so faint that I cant be sure.
This beer is pretty much flat. It leaves a grainy aftertaste.
This beer wouldnt be the best session beer. It is high in alcohol, and the flavor isnt too great.
Overall: Decent beer at best. Maybe carbonation would help. I hope these guys fix their problems soon.
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look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3
This beer pours a cloudy reddish ornage color, with almost no head. The tiny head fades instantly, leaving a very light lacing.
This beer has a spicy aroma of coriander. I can detect some citrus lemony aroma. Some grain aroma is also present.
This beer tastes like it smells. Some citrus fruit and spice. It has a slight earthy funky flavor also. There may be avery subtle sour flavor, but it is so faint that I cant be sure.
This beer is pretty much flat. It leaves a grainy aftertaste.
This beer wouldnt be the best session beer. It is high in alcohol, and the flavor isnt too great.
Overall: Decent beer at best. Maybe carbonation would help. I hope these guys fix their problems soon.
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3.78/5 rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Had this courtesy of jophish17 - thanks!
Pours a murky copper-brown color with a one-finger slightly off-white head. The head recedes into a thin layer on top leaving decent lacing.
Smells of grainy malts, musty hops, and hints of light fruits. None of these are very fragrant.
Tastes good. Mild sweet malt flavors up front with hints of herbal hops and nondescript spices. Hints of pears come out as the beer warms. Ending is crisp and is neither sweet nor bitter.
Mouthfeel is good. It has a decent thickness with moderate carbonation.
Drinkability is alright. I didn't have a problem finishing my glass but I'm not sure about another.
Overall there was a lot that could be good about this beer with some minor tweaking but nothing that I found overly exciting. Worth a shot for the curious.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Had this courtesy of jophish17 - thanks!
Pours a murky copper-brown color with a one-finger slightly off-white head. The head recedes into a thin layer on top leaving decent lacing.
Smells of grainy malts, musty hops, and hints of light fruits. None of these are very fragrant.
Tastes good. Mild sweet malt flavors up front with hints of herbal hops and nondescript spices. Hints of pears come out as the beer warms. Ending is crisp and is neither sweet nor bitter.
Mouthfeel is good. It has a decent thickness with moderate carbonation.
Drinkability is alright. I didn't have a problem finishing my glass but I'm not sure about another.
Overall there was a lot that could be good about this beer with some minor tweaking but nothing that I found overly exciting. Worth a shot for the curious.
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Gift Of The Magi from The Lost Abbey
Beer rating:
69% out of
100 with
744 ratings
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A: Copperish with very thin white head fading to bubbles around the edge. Little lacing.
S: Some sourness going on. Mostly sour green apples with a touch of brown sugar and hops. Slight bit of vanilla
T/M: Practically no carbonation. Smooth but a touch thin. Not as much sourness in the taste. Mostly caramel and malt, with some hearth clove spice, fades to some hop spice, and a touch boozy on the finish.
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