Inspired Beer for Sinners and Saints Alike
Last Wednesday (6/13/12) our new brite tank arrived, our largest one yet. For four days I tried to get Ken to talk to me about the tank delivery and installation; he claimed to be too busy. Finally, I just grabbed my camera and followed him around. The only time he was able and willing to speak to me was between jobs.
Here is a quick glimpse of the average workday for our Plant Manager, Ken Kline.
Vodcast #20 The Lost Abbey Propaganda from The Lost Abbey on Vimeo.
A long time ago (well, 2004) in a Pizza Port not so far away (Solana Beach, CA), Tomme Arthur and New Belgium’s Peter Bouckaert brewed an all Brettanomyces beer they called Mo’ Betta Bretta.
In April of this year Peter flew from Colorado and the two joined forces once again — this time at The Lost Abbey — to do a refresh of that beer. Below is a video of what happened that day. The beer was released at the brewery on June 9th and should be hitting shelves near you the week of the June 18th.
Mo’ Betta Bretta Brew Day
Mo’ Betta Trailer
Vodcast #11 The Lost Abbey Propaganda from The Lost Abbey on Vimeo.
Gwen provides some insight to our barrel aging process as she adds cultures to Duck Duck Gooze barrels.
Vodcast #19 The Lost Abbey Propaganda from The Lost Abbey on Vimeo.
Last month we celebrated our 6th birthday! We had a huge party and invited all of our friends.
We had awesome music provided by The Flounders, Squarefish, and Silverline; we had great food provided by SlowCal BBQ, Red Oven Pizza, and Casanova Fish Tacos, and of course we had incredible beer! For those who missed out try to live vicariously through this video, and for those who did attend see if you made the cut.
Track 6 of The Ultimate Box Set. Releases at the brewery on Saturday June 16th at 12pm.
Matt hits up our local grocery store in search of ginger root for our next batch of Red Barn.
Due in no small part we’re sure, to the pleadings and prayers of the Abbey faithful, the temporary restrictions placed upon us have been lifted while we adjust our space in order to please the powers that be.
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To celebrate our restored freedom, please join us this weekend as we welcome all of our friends and family in with a full tap list, food trucks both Saturday and Sunday, Brewery tours on Saturday and perhaps a special tap or two. And, as a very special treat, on Saturday (5/26) at 1:00, we will release a limited amount of bottles of Track 3, a blend of two pale sour beers inspired by AC/DC’s anthem Hell’s Bells. Normal on-premise rules will apply and there will be no lottery ticket associated with this special release. In addition, a similar amount of Track 5, our homage to Motley Crüe’s 1983 hit “Shout at the Devil” will be available and all normal rules (including lottery) will apply.
Extended hours will remain in effect through Monday, Memorial Day and we look forward to celebrating our restored freedom together!
Eric demonstrates our milling process as he mills the grain bill for 10 Commandments.
Recently, our local Fire Inspector came by as part of their regular visitation process. During their visit, they notified us that we are not able to use the loading ramp as an entrance/exit as we have done for the past six years. That is until we install a new, controlled entrance. As such, they have severely restricted the number of employees and guests that may be inside at any given time to less than 50. We are working with them to satisfy their requirements as quickly as possible to get these restrictions lifted.
In the interim, we have suspended our brewery tour program and limited group visits. We are also making additional adjustments in order to provide the best service possible, while adhering to these new restrictions.
In regards to the release of Track 5 this Saturday (5/19), we will open to the public at 11:00 and Track 5 will be available at that time per normal rules and procedure. We do ask however, that in consideration of guests that may be waiting to gain entry, Patrons please limit their visit to an hour’s time or less. On-duty staff may need to cease service to guests that remain past that time.
We will also be featuring a Growler Fill and Bottle Sales station on the loading ramp at what was once our main entrance. Although you will not be able to enter the Tasting Room, employees will be there to assist you in selecting bottles or filling your growlers. Both cash and credit cards will be accepted.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through this challenge. Being able to share our outstanding beer with you is why we make it. We look forward to getting back to “business as usual” as soon as humanly possible. This also has an impact on our hard working team of Brewers and Beertenders, so we thank you in advance for supporting them through it all.
Please stay tuned here and via our social media feeds for further updates and information as it becomes available.
At least once a month we collect anywhere form 15 to 30 barrel samples in order to document the barrels’ progress. Devon, who has been tasked with Special Projects, arranges and maintains new and old barrel cooperage. On this particular adventure she took Matt, our Lead Brewer, along with with her.