Lost Abbey News – New Beers and More!

We recently caught up with Lost Abbey in San Marcos California.  We got a glimpse into what is in store for the first half of 2010, with a few exciting surprises from the company that makes beer for Sinners and Saints Alike. How many new beers have been added to the lineup? Will there be an Isabelle II? Let’s find out. – TFP

This weekend, Angel’s Share Brandy will be released in brand new 375ml bottles.  The limit will be 6 bottles at $15.00 a piece. These bottles are new, and are part of a group investment with Russian River Brewing and North Coast Brewing.  We were told there is noticeable carbonation in this batch, at a level Tomme Arthur prefers.

Red Poppy will be released February 13th, but there hasn’t been a determined yield yet. We might crack an ’09 soon to see how it is drinking compared to last year. This beer is a sour’s sour.

The Carnivale Masquerade will be on February 27th. In honor of the release of Carnivale Ale, Lost Abbey hosts a costume party, in which wearing a costume gains you entrance.  If you want to meet up for a beer on that day, I’ll be Leonardo from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Mid March might bring a new beer announced earlier this year called Vino Veritas. Those familiar with the Veritas series know it has been wine inspired. This beer takes it to whole new levels done with California grapes. This beer will fall under the category of Sour Ale. Hopefully these won’t be too hard to come by.

Another huge beer POSSIBLY targeted for Mid-March is Angel’s Share Grand Cru.  More details to come, this beer will be a blend of every batch of BOTH Angel’s Share Brandy and Bourbon. Sinners are guaranteed an extremely limited quantity. This and Vino Veritas will most likely be released on the same weekend, so save your allowance.

Easter Weekend will bring us the releases of Amazing Grace (Barrel Aged in wine barrels for 2 years) Lost and Found, Angel’s Share Bourbon and Framboise de Amarosa.

May 1st will be the Port Brewing/Lost Abbey 4th Anniversary Party. Cuvee de Tomme 2010 is set to be released in both 375 ml and 750 ml packaging.  Because of the insane turnout last year, more space will be provided by surrounding structures in the business park, as well as a better layout.

Will there be an Isabelle Proximus II? Will Lost Abbey re-release the original Isabelle Proximus ? No and no sadly. While you can never say never, it was decided that it was a one time thing.  Barrels in Lost Abbey of Isabelle still exist,and the recipe is still brewed and aged. The purpose of this is for future blends (think Veritas or Sinners Blend) and super rare, one off moments for national craft beer conferences and the like.

Business appeared to be well for Lost Abbey in 2009 as their sales volume increased 35% over 2008. Keep in mind, they did not expand in any new markets, and had a small stream of negative press due to carbonation in one of their dozen beers.  With a newly designed tap room, a new bottling line with a new Italian hood and wiring machine, and a bottle embosser for run info, it would seem things are looking up for Lost Abbey.