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Condolences

As brewers, employees and owners we get up each and everyday and head to our brewhouses. For many of us, brewing is in our blood and we are blessed to have a job that brings so much joy to many.

We also know that brewing is a hazardous occupation and daily we work together to ensure the safety of our staff, patrons and brewery visitors. We’re not always successful in preventing the smallest to the largest accidents but make no mistake, all of us in the business of beer want nothing but the best for everyone in our buildings.

On Saturday, I was having beers with two Stone employees at Port Brewing and The Lost Abbey. During our beers it came to my attention that an accident had occurred at Stone Brewing and they were gone in an instant. Clearly an incident requiring the attention of many had taken place.

I awoke Sunday morning to the news that an employee of their great company had perished in a tragic accident. It was only after searching the Internet that I came to learn a friend of Port Brewing and The Lost Abbey would no longer be visiting us.

Yesterday was a tough day. When accidents happen they can affect us all. The San Diego brewing community was clearly shaken by such an unfortunate incident and one that took place in our backyard.

I personally will miss a young brewer who was just getting his wings underneath him while working for an A+ company. He will no longer be stopping by our brewery on Friday nights to discuss his day at Stone Brewing. That sucks in more ways than I can speak to. Life is precious and sometimes it takes a moment like this with a beer in hand to remind us of this.

Matt C. you will be missed. Greg, Steve and all of Team Stone our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with you all. On behalf of our Port Brewing and Lost Abbey family of brewers, I raise a glass of amazing beer in the honor of one who left us all far to soon.

– Tomme Arthur
(on behalf of Port Brewing and Lost Abbey employees and patrons with the heaviest of hearts)

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2013 Pre-Stone Anniversary Brunch

We are all about traditions here at The Lost Abbey, so join us, once again, for our annual pre-Stone Anniversary Brunch.  Once again we’ll be feeding the masses before the annual sojourn up the hill to attend Stone’s Anniversary Celebration. As in years past, the Tasting Room will open at 8:30am with an incredible carb-laden spread and 42 taps of fresh Port Brewing / The Lost Abbey beers.

2013 Pre-Stone Anniversary Brunch from The Lost Abbey on Vimeo.

  • What: Pre-Stone 17th Anniversary Brunch
  • When: Saturday, August 17, 2013 – 8:30am to 11:30am
  • Where: The Lost Abbey / Port Brewing, San Marcos, San Diego County, CA
  • How Much: No entry fee. Food is free. Standard pricing for beers.

But wait — there’s more! Reminiscent of last year, again Churchills and Executive Chef A.G. Warfield will be serving an epically and appropriately arrogant menu, perfectly prepped and paired for craft beer’s paramount party. Carnivore, Vegetarian or Omnivore, you’re guaranteed to be impressed and well-sated by a buffet as impressive as the many beers to come throughout the day. As always, the food is free and the tasters regular price. It’s just our — and Churchill’s — way of saying Happy Birthday to Stone and thanks to all the craft beer lovers of the world! (We’ll have more details on the beers and food next week as we get closer to the big event.) Come early, come hungry, and be prepared for a day of stories from start to finish.

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Duck Duck Gooze: Update II


Duck Duck Gooze, The Lost Abbey’s much-anticipated blended oak-aged sour, returns to The Lost Abbey pond this August. A blend of 1, 2 and 3 year old beers aged in French Oak barrels, Duck Duck Gooze was first released in 2009 and has since remained one of the more sought after beers in The Lost Abbey portfolio.
“We never envisioned Duck Duck Gooze as being available each year, the plan was to have it released into the wild every three years or so. Last year we delayed it in order to produce The Lost Abbey’s Ultimate Box Set.” Said Tomme Arthur, Director of Brewery Operations at The Lost Abbey. “Duck Duck Gooze isn’t slated to be released next until 2016 so we expect this year’s version to sell out quickly”

Starting Thursday, August 8th at 10am PT, beer lovers everywhere will be able to purchase up to 6 (six) bottles of Duck Duck Gooze at $40 per bottle (plus CA sales tax and a $1 convenience charge per bottle). There will be a total of 7200 bottles available split between the four sessions (1800 bottles reserved per session).

After careful consideration and research, The Lost Abbey has decided to use a company that we have a great relationship with and an even better understanding of, Nexternal, for the online sale of Duck Duck Gooze. We were able to streamline the process of selling Duck Duck Gooze while also being able to keep the convenience charges to a minimum. Nexternal has a brilliant track record of handling extremely large releases without any server interruptions or failures.

Part of the new process of selling Duck Duck Gooze online will also come with a few restrictions. The main addition is the requirement of whoever purchases Duck Duck Gooze, must also be the individual to pick up the bottles… NO EXCEPTIONS. Removing the option of proxies will help get the beer to as many people as possible and will allow a smoother pickup process. Consumers who do not pick up their bottles during their designated pick up time will surrender the bottles back to The Lost Abbey. A valid ID and confirmation email will be required to pick up the purchased bottles. Any duplicate sales to the same name, email or credit card will be rendered null and void.

The sessions for retrieving purchased Duck Duck Gooze will happen Labor Day weekend, a morning and afternoon session on Saturday, August 31st and Sunday, September 1st (8am – 11am & 12pm – 3pm). To reiterate –  If beer is purchased and not picked up during the designated pick up session, the beer will be surrendered back to the brewery. NO PROXIES ALLOWED

To purchase bottles, please use this link (http://bit.ly/143mOBz) – Please note the sessions will not activate until Thursday, August 8th at 10am PT.