Isabelle Proximus

A collaboration between five of America’s best craft brewers – Tomme Arthur of Port Brewing/The Lost Abbey, Adam Avery of Avery Brewing, Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head, Vinnie Cilurzo of Russian River, and Rob Tod of Allagash – Isabelle was created from a common base beer to which each brewery contributed a yeast strain and barrels for aging. After 16 months in the oak, the beers were blended to create the final product.

Bottled at Lost Abbey Brewing – Isabelle Proximus – 750 ml bottle poured into a goblet. 7% abv. From online trade.

Appearance: Pours an slightly cloudy amber orange with a pin stripe of head.

Aroma: Lemony, woody funk.

Taste: Tart, sharp (acetic) lemony funk. Slight wood notes.

Mouthfeel:Medium bodied, tannic and a bit chewy.

Overall: It was hard describe, but I loved this beer. It had pronounced sourness, but other complexities that made it much more enjoyable than Duck Duck Gooze in a side by side. This was one of the most difficult beers for me to describe to date. It’s sad, but I may never get another crack at this beer.