Posted on by nate.luzod

The Lost Abbey

Today is Friday April 6th and it’s a blogging day for all of us who blog. Today the group excercise is on Abbey Dubbel Style beers. Last month it was Stout. I don’t know where the last 30 days have gone but they certainly have been very monumental to say the least.

At this time, we are putting the finishing touches on a photo shoot at the brewery and it has been a surreal day around here. I didn’t get into brewing to be famous, rich or important. Nope, I got into brewing because it appeals to my notions of creativity and my artistic sensibilities. When I started considering the multitude of stories that I wanted to blog for this “Abbey” day, my mind wandered all over the place trying to find the natural tie in.

Then, I sat down after smiling for the camera all day. It hit me in an instant. We are Port Brewing and we are the makers of The Lost Abbey brand of beers. It is something that I am incredibly proud of and very much focused on right now. The fact that we spent a whole day shooting photos for future Lost Abbey endeavors speaks to this.

As I was drifting in and out of the photos today, I started thinking about the relationship of who I have become as a brewer and where I started. It’s an 11 year journey that starts oddly enough with a desire to brew Belgian Style beers at home.

It’s 1996. I have recently been hired as the Assistant Brewer at Cervecerias La Cruda in downtown San Diego. I am hired by Troy Hojel to work in this new startup brewpub. We begin to discuss my home brewing equipment and the beers that I have made.

I tell Troy that I really enjoy a great Abbey Style beer and we begin to write a recipe for this beer I will brew at home. Chris White stops by the brewery one day and mentions that he has a new “Trappist Ale” strain that they are looking for some feedback on.

I get the yeast about a week later from Chris. By this time, Troy and I have been drinking numerous Abbey Styled beers trying to get a “feel” for what we want to accomplish. After settling on the recipe, including the yeast specifics, we start to talk about brewing with sugars.

I remember the next conversation like it was yesterday. I’m drinking a pint of our Blowfish ESB when Troy leans in and says in a hushed tone…” I think we should use some raisins in this beer.” I swear, I amost fell off the bar stool when he said this.

It really hadn’t occurred to me that using raisins was something that I should concern myself with. After all, I don’t really eat raisins so why would I think they were something worth brewing with? But the thing is, the beer we brewed with the raisins was stunning and it set the wheels in motion for my adventures in Belgian Styled brewing. And I owe it all to the 4oz of juicy Sunmaid Raisins that day.

When I was hired to be the brewer at the Pizza Port in Solana Beach, my first seasonal beer was Dubbel Overhead Abbey Ale. It was the first beer in San Diego to be made with Raisins. This was way back in October of 1997.

Over the years, I spent hours working with “interesting” ingredients and we always had raisins available at our disposal. One night, Jeff Bagby and I started talking about Saisons and developing color in them without using malt. It was then that we decided we should “alter” the raisins and their structure.

We wrote a recipe for SPF 8 Farmhouse Ale and it was decided that to gain color in the beer, we would “blacken” the raisins. So we did and the beer became one of my favorite beers of all time.

Fast forward to The Lost Abbey. I have now been brewing beer professionally for almost 11 years and have reached a level of recognition in the brewing business for my creations. This is where The Lost Abbey comes into play. Over the years, I earned for my numerous accolades for these Belgian Styled Beers. Many of them have been “Abbey” styled beers as well.

Here at the Lost Abbey, we are now making two Abbey style beers as part of our standard year round beers- they are Lost and Found Abbey Ale and Judgment Day our Dark Strong Ale- both of them are brewed with Raisins. It’s just something that over time, I have grown accustomed to. It’s sort of my comfort ingredient around here.

Our Lost and Found Abbey Ale is now made with a custom “raisin puree” that involves Chef Vince and rather large boat motor… It’s so damn cool. It’s also one of my favorite beers that we are making. I tell people that the recipe for Lost and Found is something that I have been working on for over 10 years now.

It’s not easy making a great Abbey Style beer. It takes an amazing yeast. It takes a skillful blend of hops and malt. And at the end of it all, there has to be an integration of all these things to create a memorable drinking experience. I for one, think we have figured out our Abbey style beer and for that I am thankful.

It’s hard to imagine looking back what might have been. As we were sitting here smiling for the camera all day, all I could think about were those raisins. So next time you reach for an Oatmeal Raisin cookie, remember the raisins. Remember that they have inspired me over the years and stretched my brewing limits.

As we move forward with The Lost Abbey part of Port Brewing, we will most certainly think about the raisins each and every time we make a batch of Lost and Found or Judgment Day or 10 Commandments or… Were it not for the raisins in that batch of homebrew, I might be making lager beer in some far away state. I think I’ll keep doing what I’ve been doing, so far it has served me well.

86 Replies to “The Lost Abbey”

  2. I’d like to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this blog.I’m hoping to check out the same high-grade content from you later on as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my very own website now 😉

  5. Hey there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my myspace group? There’s a lot of people that I think would really enjoy your content. Please let me know. Thanks

  7. We’re a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your website offered us with helpful information to work on. You’ve done a formidable task and our whole community will be thankful to you.

  15. to this require a great deal of work? I have very little knowledge of computer programming however I had been hoping to start my own blog in the near future. Anyway, should you have any suggestions or tips for new blog owners please share. http://www.kayswell.com I understand this is off topic but I simply needed to ask.

  23. great points altogether, you simply received a logo new reader. What might you suggest in regards to your publish that you just made a few days in the past? Any positive?

  24. We’re a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your website offered us with helpful information to work on. You’ve done a formidable task and our whole community will be thankful to you.

  25. Aw, this was a very nice post. Taking the time and actual effort to create a great article… but what can I say… I hesitate a whole lot and never seem to get nearly anything done.

  26. Hey there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my myspace group? There’s a lot of people that I think would really enjoy your content. Please let me know. Thanks

  27. Hi, Neat post. There is a problem with your website in internet explorer, would check this?IE still is the market leader and a large portion of people will miss your fantastic writing because of this problem.

  30. I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your blogs really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back in the future.

  31. Hello very nice web site!! Man .. Beautiful .. Amazing .. I will bookmark your site and take the feeds also? I am satisfied to seek out so many useful information here in the put up, we want work out extra techniques on this regard, thank you for sharing.

  33. to this require a great deal of work? I have very little knowledge of computer programming however I had been hoping to start my own blog in the near future. Anyway, should you have any suggestions or tips for new blog owners please share. I understand this is off topic but I simply needed to ask.

  35. Have you ever considered publishing an e-book or guest authoring on other websites? I have a blog centered on the same ideas you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my viewers would value your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to send me an email.

  44. I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog and was curious what all is needed to get setup? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very web savvy so I’m not 100 sure. Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

  47. I just like the valuable information you provide on your articles.I’ll bookmark your blog and test again here frequently.I’m quite certain I’ll be informed plenty of new stuff proper right here! Good luck for the next!

  49. Hiya! Quick question that’s totally off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My site looks weird when browsing from my apple iphone. I’m trying to find a template or plugin that might be able to correct this issue. If you have any suggestions, please share.

  52. Hi, Neat post. There is a problem with your site in web explorer, might test this? IE still is the market chief and a large component of other people will leave out your wonderful writing because of this problem.

  54. I like the valuable info you provide to your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and check once more here regularly. I am reasonably sure I’ll be told lots of new stuff proper right here! Best of luck for the following!

  56. Aw, this was a very nice post. Taking the time and actual effort to create a great article… but what can I say… I hesitate a whole lot and never seem to get nearly anything done.

  58. Thank you for any other fantastic article. The place else may anyone get that type of info in such an ideal means of writing? I have a presentation subsequent week, and I’m at the search for such information.

  61. What’s Going down i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I have discovered It absolutely useful and it has aided me out loads. I am hoping to give a contribution & assist other users like its helped me. Great job.

  63. An impressive share, I simply given this onto a colleague who was doing a little bit analysis on this. And he actually purchased me breakfast because I discovered it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the treat! However yeah Thnkx for spending the time to debate this, I feel strongly about it and love studying more on this topic. If doable, as you change into expertise, would you thoughts updating your weblog with extra details? It is extremely helpful for me. Large thumb up for this blog put up!

  66. That is a very good tip especially to those new to the blogosphere. Short but very accurate information… Many thanks for sharing this one. A must read article!

  68. Do you mind if I quote a couple of your posts as long as I provide credit and sources back to your website? My blog site is in the very same niche as yours and my visitors would certainly benefit from some of the information you present here. Please let me know if this alright with you. Regards!

  71. Have you ever considered about including a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is fundamental and all. However imagine if you added some great images or video clips to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with images and clips, http://www.hairstylesvip.com this website could undeniably be one of the best in its field.

  72. Hi, Neat post. There’s an issue together with your site in internet explorer, could test this? IE still is the market leader and a large section of other folks will miss your great writing due to this problem.

  74. What i do not understood is actually how you’re no longer really much more well-preferred than you may be now. You’re very intelligent. You know thus significantly in terms of this subject, made me personally believe it from a lot of numerous angles. Its like men and women aren’t interested unless it’s something to do with Girl gaga! Your individual stuffs great. At all times deal with it up!

  75. Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wished to say that I’ve truly enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. After all I will be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again very soon!

  76. F*ckin?tremendous things here. I am very happy to see your post. Thanks so much and i’m having a look ahead to touch you. Will you kindly drop me a mail?

  77. Do you mind if I quote a few of your articles as long as I provide credit and sources back to your website? My blog site is in the exact same area of interest as yours and my visitors would really benefit from a lot of the information you provide here.Please let me know if this ok with you. Regards! http://www.ifashionstyles.com

  80. Hello my family member! I want to say that this post is amazing, great written and come with almost all significant infos. I would like to look more posts like this .

  81. Wonderful goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you’re just too excellent.I really like what you have acquired here, certainly likewhat you are stating and the way in which you say it.You make it entertaining and you still care for to keep it wise.I cant wait to read much more from you. http://www.ifashionstyles.com This is actually a wonderful site.

  83. What’s up i am kavin, its my first time to commenting anywhere, when i read this paragraph i thought i could also make comment due to this sensible post.

  84. Yet another thing is that while searching for a good on the internet electronics retail outlet, look for online shops that are consistently updated, trying to keep up-to-date with the newest products, the very best deals, plus helpful information on goods and services. This will ensure that you are doing business with a shop that stays over the competition and offers you what you need to make educated, well-informed electronics buys. Thanks for the critical tips I’ve learned through the blog.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *