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Deliverance
The Lost Abbey
- From:
- The Lost Abbey
- California, United States
- Style:
- American Strong Ale
Ranked #16 - ABV:
- 14.5%
- Score:
- 96
Ranked #1,145 - Avg:
- 4.31 | pDev: 9.05%
- Reviews:
- 471
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Jan 27, 2024
- Added:
- Aug 09, 2010
- Wants:
- 404
- Gots:
- 554
Cue the banjos...A blend of Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout and Brandy Barrel Aged Barleywine. One of our highest and most sought after non sour aged releases.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by jondeelee:
Reviewed by jondeelee from Massachusetts
4.57/5 rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
4.57/5 rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Deliverance Ale opens with a rich, malty, alcoholic nose, the barrel aging immediately obvious and present in the form of heavy shades of charcoal-filtered bourbon and caramel-sweet grainy scotch. So potent are these aromas that at first the beer ends up bearing little resemblance to beer, instead smelling like fine liquor that has been tinged with aged port. There are, however, excellent and Imperial Stout-like notes just beneath the surface, including espresso grounds, chocolate and black malt, tobacco ash, and syrupy fig, black cherry, prune, and date fruit esters. Molasses and anise seed add to the gloopy, spicy aromas. As a whole, the nose is excellent, speaking of well-tended beer aged expertly in carefully-chosen barrels, plucked from its resting place at the height of drinkability and flavor. It’s hard to imagine more aromas drifting from a glass.
On the tongue, the beer opens with thick, black sugars, including molasses and dark, natural brown sugar, joined immediately by espresso, tobacco, ash, deeply roasted nuts, and strong-but-perfectly-blended overtones of bourbon and scotch. These latter notes don’t overwhelm the beer, as they can in some barrel-aged brews, but for the most part of the mouthful play off of the already-dark malt notes, adding further complexity and nuance. Fig, prune, and black cherry fruit esters add a bit of flavor, joined by anise and touches of black pepper. Late in the mouthful, as the sugars die off, the bourbon and scotch notes seem to increase in strength, biting at and burning the soft palate, much like a straight shot of liquor. Here the barrel aging proves somewhat detrimental, lending the beer a heavy alcoholic overtone, the vapors almost tangible in the throat. The aftertaste is a continuation of this heavy, liquor-soaked alcoholic vapor wash, with lingering ash, tobacco, and black malt, and lingers on the tongue for a very long time. Mouthfeel is a lightly syrupy medium (though based on the flavors it feels like it should be more viscous, and this provides a slightly distracting contrast), and carbonation is medium.
As a whole, this is certainly very good beer, and for the most part the barrel aging does wonders for what was almost certainly a very good brew to begin with. The only negatives come late in the mouthful, when the heady alcoholic vapors somewhat overtake the brew, and in the slightly strange lighter-than-expected mouthfeel. Very much worth trying, especially for fans of barrel-aged Imperial Stouts.
May 14, 2012On the tongue, the beer opens with thick, black sugars, including molasses and dark, natural brown sugar, joined immediately by espresso, tobacco, ash, deeply roasted nuts, and strong-but-perfectly-blended overtones of bourbon and scotch. These latter notes don’t overwhelm the beer, as they can in some barrel-aged brews, but for the most part of the mouthful play off of the already-dark malt notes, adding further complexity and nuance. Fig, prune, and black cherry fruit esters add a bit of flavor, joined by anise and touches of black pepper. Late in the mouthful, as the sugars die off, the bourbon and scotch notes seem to increase in strength, biting at and burning the soft palate, much like a straight shot of liquor. Here the barrel aging proves somewhat detrimental, lending the beer a heavy alcoholic overtone, the vapors almost tangible in the throat. The aftertaste is a continuation of this heavy, liquor-soaked alcoholic vapor wash, with lingering ash, tobacco, and black malt, and lingers on the tongue for a very long time. Mouthfeel is a lightly syrupy medium (though based on the flavors it feels like it should be more viscous, and this provides a slightly distracting contrast), and carbonation is medium.
As a whole, this is certainly very good beer, and for the most part the barrel aging does wonders for what was almost certainly a very good brew to begin with. The only negatives come late in the mouthful, when the heady alcoholic vapors somewhat overtake the brew, and in the slightly strange lighter-than-expected mouthfeel. Very much worth trying, especially for fans of barrel-aged Imperial Stouts.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by thebeers from Pennsylvania
3.99/5 rDev -7.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.99/5 rDev -7.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Dark brown, approaching black, with a dark khaki head. Good lacing. Red wine, umami, brownies and vanilla in the aroma and taste. Thinner bodied with zippy carbonation. 2016 keg held up nicely.
Jan 27, 2024Reviewed by MadMadMike from France
4.41/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.41/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
12 ounce corked bottle, room temp, into a snifter. Black brew, little bubbly foam disappears fast. Aroma is molasses, merlot, barrel, prunes.
Taste matches. The brandy barrel adds a complexity to the bourbon note. Beautiful. Sweet but not cloyingly. Thick long finish of dark chocolate and a an untart dark black cherry. The 14.5% ABV accents every nuance.
Full body, very very little carbonation.
Overall, a wonderful expression of creative barreling, base beer technique, and high quality ingredients. The experience is worth the maturity and patience of “putting one away” for a couple if years.
Jun 10, 2023Taste matches. The brandy barrel adds a complexity to the bourbon note. Beautiful. Sweet but not cloyingly. Thick long finish of dark chocolate and a an untart dark black cherry. The 14.5% ABV accents every nuance.
Full body, very very little carbonation.
Overall, a wonderful expression of creative barreling, base beer technique, and high quality ingredients. The experience is worth the maturity and patience of “putting one away” for a couple if years.
Reviewed by Tony210 from New Jersey
4.18/5 rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.18/5 rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours dark and thick, minimal head. Much chocolate bourbon barrel aroma. Flavor is chocolate, I get raspberry and cherry. I definitely notice the brandy barrel, bourbon barrel is obvious. Thick and creamy with minimal carbonation. Overall a tasty BA beer.
8/21/22
11.7 oz bottle
4.25 rating
Aug 21, 20228/21/22
11.7 oz bottle
4.25 rating
Reviewed by hopley from Massachusetts
3.8/5 rDev -11.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.8/5 rDev -11.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
2013 bottle, drank April 2021, bought off the shelf recently, drank out of a tulip.
Definitely past its prime. The cork popped and it poured thick and sludgy - - somewhat promising. But no head crush that quickly. No smell and fairly bland taste with very limited barrel. Look forward to updating this review if I ever grab a fresh bottle.
Apr 06, 2021Definitely past its prime. The cork popped and it poured thick and sludgy - - somewhat promising. But no head crush that quickly. No smell and fairly bland taste with very limited barrel. Look forward to updating this review if I ever grab a fresh bottle.
Rated by The_Atom from Tennessee
4.59/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
4.59/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Sweet chocolate note at first followed by a hint of coffee/roast, then booziness on the back end. Take your time and sip on this bad boy.
Dec 25, 2020Reviewed by JohnG190 from New York
4.42/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
4.42/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Pours black with ruby highlights and no discernible head. Aroma is of dried fruit, molasses, and port wine, On the front of the palate, dark fruits, molasses, brown sugar and toffee followed by a hint of chocolate and brandy notes. The finish is redolent of bourbon barrel and dark fruits. Some alcohol burn on the back end as well. Full bodied with no carbonation. Overall, a very complex brew that gives itself to contemplation on a cold winters eve.
Dec 20, 2020Reviewed by sulldaddy from Connecticut
4.68/5 rDev +8.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.68/5 rDev +8.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Sampling a 375 ml bottle at cellar temp poured into my snifter. I am unsure of the vintage, but it is at least 2018, maybe older. Excited to have a chance to drink this one tonight after a trying day of work.
The beer pours a deep dark coffee color with minimal tan head foaming up and settling to an edge layer with wispy circles spinning on the surface, being fed by active streams of carbonation rising from the surface. Very active surface on this beer.
Nose is deep and complex with figs, prunes and raisins mixing with bourbon and brandy notes. Quite boozy still even after sitting for such a long time. I also get a bit of a port wine character on the nose. Some brown sugar or molasses notes too, lots of complexity on this beer. Almost all malt notes with no hop notes to be found.
The first sip reveals a soft smooth textured beer with fine carbonation that is very soft and pillowy on my palate. Body is medium and is a little lighter than I expected from the nose and look . The swallow reveals some boozy warmth, this is a sipping beer.
Flavor is what I expect based on the nose. A lot of malt complexity dark fruits open things up with figs, raisins, plums and some red grape. This moves to brown sugar and molassess with a bit of vanilla and bourbon note. Then a bit of Dark chocolate and almost charred character and the finish is more dark fruit. The booze warmth is there at every swallow and the hops are absent here too.
This is a very complex and enjoyable beer. Even though it is boozy, I find my sips easy to drink due to the soft smooth texture.
Wish I had another bottle of this one, and would definitely buy this one again!
Sep 04, 2020The beer pours a deep dark coffee color with minimal tan head foaming up and settling to an edge layer with wispy circles spinning on the surface, being fed by active streams of carbonation rising from the surface. Very active surface on this beer.
Nose is deep and complex with figs, prunes and raisins mixing with bourbon and brandy notes. Quite boozy still even after sitting for such a long time. I also get a bit of a port wine character on the nose. Some brown sugar or molasses notes too, lots of complexity on this beer. Almost all malt notes with no hop notes to be found.
The first sip reveals a soft smooth textured beer with fine carbonation that is very soft and pillowy on my palate. Body is medium and is a little lighter than I expected from the nose and look . The swallow reveals some boozy warmth, this is a sipping beer.
Flavor is what I expect based on the nose. A lot of malt complexity dark fruits open things up with figs, raisins, plums and some red grape. This moves to brown sugar and molassess with a bit of vanilla and bourbon note. Then a bit of Dark chocolate and almost charred character and the finish is more dark fruit. The booze warmth is there at every swallow and the hops are absent here too.
This is a very complex and enjoyable beer. Even though it is boozy, I find my sips easy to drink due to the soft smooth texture.
Wish I had another bottle of this one, and would definitely buy this one again!
Reviewed by EMV from Pennsylvania
4.27/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.27/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
2017 vintage. Poured from a cork'n'cage 12 oz bottle into a Dogfish Head tulip. Cool bottle artwork.
L: Inky black pour with a finger of mocha-colored head.
S: Rich and roasty... coffee, cocoa, and vanilla.
T.F: Just like it smells. Rich roasted grains and dark sugars. Coffee, chocolate, bourbon, and vanilla. Oak, chocolate covered cherry, and burned raisins. Medium to thick bodied... a bit oily and smooth. Low carbonation.
O: A big time bourbon-barrel aged stout. Hits all the right flavors... boozy and delicious. A nice cold-weather slow sipper.
Aug 19, 2020L: Inky black pour with a finger of mocha-colored head.
S: Rich and roasty... coffee, cocoa, and vanilla.
T.F: Just like it smells. Rich roasted grains and dark sugars. Coffee, chocolate, bourbon, and vanilla. Oak, chocolate covered cherry, and burned raisins. Medium to thick bodied... a bit oily and smooth. Low carbonation.
O: A big time bourbon-barrel aged stout. Hits all the right flavors... boozy and delicious. A nice cold-weather slow sipper.
Reviewed by npolachek from New York
4.35/5 rDev +0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.35/5 rDev +0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Very solid non sour. Boubon Barrel Aged so has a strong flavor to it. Tastes of figs and raisins with chocholate as well. A very solid beer and worth trying.
Jun 28, 2020Reviewed by Treyliff from West Virginia
3.96/5 rDev -8.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
3.96/5 rDev -8.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
2013 Vintage
375ml cork and cage bottle poured into a snifter
A- pours deep brown, almost black in color with a one-finger foamy off-white head that has short retention and leaves nothing behind
S- aroma opens with an array of dark fruits; figs, raisins, prunes and quite a bit of brandy barrel. Caramel and toffee, walnuts, cocoa, molasses, a bit of a port wine quality as well
T- the dark fruits follow the nose with a mix of raisins, figs and prunes up front, followed by molasses, brown sugar and toffee notes. Mid-palate gives a bit of chocolate, as well as dark grape notes of the brandy. The finish brings out a hint of bourbon oak, as well as more dark fruits. Lingers of brandy and figs
M medium body with almost zero carbonation leads to a flat mouthfeel and a thick bodied finish
O- the brandy seems to really compliment the dark fruit notes that come from the base beer
Apr 16, 2020375ml cork and cage bottle poured into a snifter
A- pours deep brown, almost black in color with a one-finger foamy off-white head that has short retention and leaves nothing behind
S- aroma opens with an array of dark fruits; figs, raisins, prunes and quite a bit of brandy barrel. Caramel and toffee, walnuts, cocoa, molasses, a bit of a port wine quality as well
T- the dark fruits follow the nose with a mix of raisins, figs and prunes up front, followed by molasses, brown sugar and toffee notes. Mid-palate gives a bit of chocolate, as well as dark grape notes of the brandy. The finish brings out a hint of bourbon oak, as well as more dark fruits. Lingers of brandy and figs
M medium body with almost zero carbonation leads to a flat mouthfeel and a thick bodied finish
O- the brandy seems to really compliment the dark fruit notes that come from the base beer
Reviewed by snaotheus from Washington
3.76/5 rDev -12.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.76/5 rDev -12.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
2020-03-28
375ml corked/caged bottle given to me by a friend. I think the stamp on the side of it says vintage 2013. No idea where my friend found this thing -- I know he just picked it up.
Pours black with very little head and very little carbonation. Looks somewhat thin. Smell is rich -- molasses and chocolate, booze, vanilla, oak. Probably anise, maybe a little smoke.
Taste has a suggestion of sweetness and a suggestion of fruit tartness, strong roast/chocolate bitterness, some toffee, a little raisin.
Mouthfeel is fairly thin. Overall, it's pretty good.
Mar 29, 2020375ml corked/caged bottle given to me by a friend. I think the stamp on the side of it says vintage 2013. No idea where my friend found this thing -- I know he just picked it up.
Pours black with very little head and very little carbonation. Looks somewhat thin. Smell is rich -- molasses and chocolate, booze, vanilla, oak. Probably anise, maybe a little smoke.
Taste has a suggestion of sweetness and a suggestion of fruit tartness, strong roast/chocolate bitterness, some toffee, a little raisin.
Mouthfeel is fairly thin. Overall, it's pretty good.
Reviewed by Victory_Sabre1973 from Minnesota
4.57/5 rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
4.57/5 rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Pours pitch black, though, to me, there's also a hint of red in this beer. There's almost no head. What little is there is brown, and forms a ring around the glass.
The nose is quite strong with the aroma from the barrels. I get hints of dark fruit. Somewhat sweet aroma.
Taste - wow! A major mixture of flavors going on here. Some chocolate, cherries, caramel. There's a hint of bitterness also.
Thick smooth body. Some alcohol burn, but not much.
Delicious beer for a very cold night.
Nov 12, 2019The nose is quite strong with the aroma from the barrels. I get hints of dark fruit. Somewhat sweet aroma.
Taste - wow! A major mixture of flavors going on here. Some chocolate, cherries, caramel. There's a hint of bitterness also.
Thick smooth body. Some alcohol burn, but not much.
Delicious beer for a very cold night.
Reviewed by bylerteck from Canada (ON)
4.16/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.16/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
A - Fully black. Small cap of dark brown head on top. Expected for the style and ABV. Little to no lace or retention, but again, appropriate for ABV.
S - Full on dark fruit. Boozy but not sharp or hot. Licorice and sprits. Dates, chocolate, almonds. Definitely rides the line between RIS and Barleywine.
T - More sharp and Barley-wineesque than aroma let on. Sugary dark fruits, less spirit character and more roast, chocolate, coffee flavour. Lot's of candied fruits and big date, sugary plum notes.
M - Very full body and fairly dry. Carbonation is appropriate and not leaning in too strong or too weak a direction.
O/D - This is pretty nice. Maybe too much of both sides of the coin, but definitely rich, sweet, complex, and contemplative. More sweet towards the Barleywine realm than I would've preferred but it's a damn good sipper. Barrel character isn't there enough, but definitely enjoyable.
Oct 25, 2019S - Full on dark fruit. Boozy but not sharp or hot. Licorice and sprits. Dates, chocolate, almonds. Definitely rides the line between RIS and Barleywine.
T - More sharp and Barley-wineesque than aroma let on. Sugary dark fruits, less spirit character and more roast, chocolate, coffee flavour. Lot's of candied fruits and big date, sugary plum notes.
M - Very full body and fairly dry. Carbonation is appropriate and not leaning in too strong or too weak a direction.
O/D - This is pretty nice. Maybe too much of both sides of the coin, but definitely rich, sweet, complex, and contemplative. More sweet towards the Barleywine realm than I would've preferred but it's a damn good sipper. Barrel character isn't there enough, but definitely enjoyable.
Deliverance from The Lost Abbey
Beer rating:
96 out of
100 with
2024 ratings
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