The Lost Abbey Angel's Share
What the brewers say
“Brewed with copious amounts of car- amel malt to emphasize the vanilla and oak avors in freshly emptied bourbon or brandy barrels. The beer spends a year in oak before it is packaged for release.”
What our panel thought
Aroma: “Chocolate, plums, raisins, coffee, and dark toffee. Somewhat subdued overall. Roasty. Lots of alcohol on the nose as well.”
Flavor: “Chocolate, coffee, vanilla, and coconut work symbiotically, none over- powering the other. Did they age this in Almond Joy barrels? Great fermentation character: cherry esters, spicy alcohol warmth, and light sherry notes. Not real- ly a “classic” barleywine, because of the chocolate malt, but a beautiful strong beer. Cherry and chocolate blend well with some coffee and tobacco notes.”
Overall: “I love drinking this beer—zero harshness, just a smooth cascade of bittersweet chocolate, toffee, vanilla, and coffee. The malt complexity is incredible and the bitterness is spot on. Nice chocolate notes pair well with the other malt and barrel notes. Smooth and oh so drinkable.”