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Track 12 of The Ultimate Box Set Releases Saturday, November 24

This Saturday, November 24, 2012 we’re releasing the twelfth beer in our Ultimate Box Set series. Track 12 is a Fresh Track; a non-fruited sour that’s a blend of three beers aged in oak barrels and inspired by Black Sabbath’s epic 1980 hit Heaven and Hell.

Ultimate Box Set Track 12 - Heaven and Hell
The epic culmination of our Ultimate Box Set; Track 12 is an inspired new sour designed for Sinners and Saints Alike

For Track 12 we created a new beer – a non-fruited sour made from a blend of Avant Garde, a previously unreleased sour brown ale, and a splash of Gift of the Magi. Aged in oak barrels the beer offers a musty nose followed by a compelling mélange of sweet and sour flavors.

Among all the Tracks we have released this year (many of which are now medal winners), the DOBO feels that Track 12 is the one that offers the most intriguing possibilities for the long run. We think all you Sinners and you Saints are really going to enjoy this one.

You’ll find the beer details (blend, ABV, liner notes, album art, etc.) on the website here. Details on the other Box Set beers can be found on the Box Set home page.

The tasting room doors will open at 10:00 am for this special event. As with all Box Set releases, the beers must be consumed on site the same day. Unopened bottles may not be carried out. Each bottle is 375ml and is $15 each.

SPECIAL NOTE: The Track 12 release day coincides with the release of the complete Ultimate Box Set Collections for those who won opportunities in the lotteries. As with past lotteries, we will draw 45 names from those who purchase a bottle of Track 12 during the release. Unlike past lotteries, however, the Track 12 lottery winners will be “instant winners” – i.e., they will be able to purchase and take home an Ultimate Box Set Collection the same day.

If you’re a Track 12 lottery winner and want to purchase the complete collection please be prepared to take your collection home the same day.

For collection pricing, contents and other details, please click here.

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Ultimate Box Set Track 11 Releases November 10, 2012

This Saturday, November 10, 2012 we’re releasing the eleventh beer in our Ultimate Box Set series. This one is a Re-mix Track that’s a experimental nod to Charlie Daniels’ Southern rock classic, The Devil Went Down to Georgia.

Track 11

Round the mountain and run boy run, if you want a chance at a complete Box Set, this is your last one.

Track 11 is an experimental re-mix track — Angel’s Share aged in fresh bourbon barrels with an addition of fresh sliced peaches and a splash of Brettanomyces Clausenni to kick it up a notch.

You’ll find the beer details (blend, ABV, liner notes, album art, etc.) on the website here. Details on the other Box Set beers can be found on the Box Set home page.

The tasting room doors will open at 10:30 am for this special event. As with all Box Set releases, the beers must be consumed on site, same day. Unopened bottles may not be carried out. Each bottle is 375ml and is $15 each.

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The Lost Abbey to Release Ultimate Box Set Collector’s Edition November 24

Craft Brewery will culminate its yearlong special release series with a limited edition collector’s set

SAN MARCOS, Calif. – October 17, 2012 — Bringing its 12-month paean to classic rock anthems to a shuddering crescendo, The Lost Abbey will issue the complete Ultimate Box Set as a special collector’s edition on November 24, 2012. Limited to a total of 500 publicly available sets, the collector’s edition will include each of the 12 special edition brews (aka: “Tracks” 1 through 12), a custom-designed album sleeve with the full-sized art used on each of the beer labels and liner notes from the brewers — all packaged in hand-built, numbered metal road cases. The Box Set case and album sleeve were designed by Grammy® award-winning art director Matt Taylor of Varnish Studio in collaboration with John Schulz of StudioSchulz. Each of the Sets will cost $450 and be available only by lottery drawing.

The Lost Abbey Ultimate Box Set Collector's Edition - Photo Credit: StudioSchulz
The Lost Abbey Ultimate Box Set Collector’s Edition | Photo Credit: StudioSchulz

The Ultimate Box Set releases began in January of 2012 with the brewery releasing one beer every month with names inspired by classic rock songs invoking Heaven or Hell. The beers covered the full gamut of The Lost Abbey’s signature stylings — fruit and spiced, wood-aged, sours, wild, and spontaneously-fermented ales. Each was issued in 375ml corked, hood-and-wire format, included original label art, and was limited to a total run of approximately 1,000 bottles; 350 of which were sold in the brewery tasting room and had to be consumed onsite. The remaining bottles, reserved for the upcoming collector’s sets, will be the only full bottles ever allowed to leave the brewery.

“This is the most ambitious project we’ve ever undertaken,” said Tomme Arthur, director of brewery operations for The Lost Abbey, and the mind behind the Ultimate Box Set. “Not only have we produced 12 exceptional rare beers, but the original label art and stories associated with each, along with the one-of-a-kind hand-built road cases brought the entire concept together beyond anything I’ve encountered in my near 20 years of brewing. It really is the Ultimate Box Set.”

Because of the extremely limited nature of the collector’s sets, the brewery will not put them into general distribution. Rather, the 500 will be allocated to the public via a lottery with names drawn from patrons who purchased individual Track releases each month in the tasting room. Two lottery drawings still remain allowing those who purchase Track 10 in October and Track 11 in November an opportunity for a full collector’s set.

The final release in the set, Track 12, will issue on November 24, coinciding with the complete collector’s set. This Track, as with the earlier individual releases, will be available to the general public in the tasting room and must be consumed on site. More information on the beer will be posted on The Lost Abbey website in mid-November.

About Port Brewing / The Lost Abbey
Founded in 2006, Port Brewing and The Lost Abbey produces an extensive line-up of award-winning ales and lagers. Under the direction of legendary brewmaster and co-founder Tomme Arthur, the brewery was named 2007 Great American Beer Festival Small Brewery of the Year, and 2008 World Beer Cup Champion Small Brewery. The company’s beers, many of which are aged in oak barrels for 12 months or longer, are universally recognized for their complexity, unique flavors, and bold, boundary-pushing styles. For more information, contact Port Brewing / The Lost Abbey at 155 Mata Way, Suite 104, San Marcos, CA 92069, telephone (800) 918-6816, and on the web at www.lostabbey.com.

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Ultimate Box Set Track 10 Releases October 20, 2012

This Saturday, October 20, 2012 we’re releasing the tenth beer in our Ultimate Box Set series. This one is a Fresh Track that’s an ode to the Meatlof operatic 1977 rock anthem, Bat Out of Hell.

You’ll probably want to get Track 10 sooner rather than later because, like the song says, this one will probably be gone when the morning comes.

Track 10 is a big coffee and cacao beer that began as a fresh Serpent Stout base sent to age in four hand-selected bourbon barrels. Then, to maximize the flavors, 17lbs of coffee and 4lbs of cacao nibs were added shortly before bottling.

You’ll find the beer details (blend, ABV, liner notes, album art, etc.) on the website here. Details on the other Box Set beers can be found on the Box Set home page.

The tasting room doors will open at 10:30 am for this special event. As with all Box Set releases, the beers must be consumed on site, same day. Unopened bottles may not be carried out. Each bottle is 375ml and is $15 each.

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Beer Release: Cuvee de Tomme 2011

Date: December 17 December 24, 2011 – 12:00pm – 7:00pm

This will be the release date for Cuvee de Tomme 2011, our multi-award winning bourbon barrel-aged aged strong ale with sour cherries.

Cuvee de Tomme 2011

Release Details:

  • Style: Cuvee de Tomme 2011
  • Format: 375ml cork-stoppered bottles
  • Price: $15 per bottle
  • Limits: 6 bottles per person

Supplies of this beer are extremely limited. Bottle sales will be brewery only and a select quantity of draft will be available in the Southern California region, however, it will not reach any of our other distribution areas (sorry).

Because we expect this beer to sell out quickly, we’ll open our doors at 11am for registration; bottle sales will begin at 12pm.

Standard disclaimer: This is a barrel-aged beer. As such release dates are subject to change based on the whims of the barrels.

Update 1: 12/14/11 – Release has been delayed by one week to December 24, 2011.

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5th Annual Barrel Party Night

Join us as we once again delve into our legendary barrel archives for a one-of-a-kind exploration into the mysteries of The Oak.

Limited to 125 people, guests will be treated to an intimate evening of rare beers paired with hors d’ oeuvres prepared by our Abbey chefs-in-residence. Each guest will also receive a bottle of our extremely limited Veritas 010 release.

The Details

  • What: Lost Abbey Annual Barrel Night 2011
  • When: Saturday, November 5, 2011 – 7pm to 10pm
  • Where: The Lost Abbey / Port Brewing, San Marcos, San Diego County, CA
  • How Much: $80 per each; $150 for a pair

Tickets go on sale October 5, 2011 at 12pm PDT and must be purchased online.

Tickets for last year’s event sold out very quickly, so make sure to purchase tickets early!

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Beer Release: 2011 The Angel’s Share (Bourbon Barrel-aged)

2011 Angel's Share (Bourbon)

We’re pleased to announce that Friday, September 2, 2011 will mark the release of the 2011 bourbon barrel-aged version of The Angel’s Share, our legendary English-style barleywine.

This vintage was aged slightly more than 12 months in fresh, used Heaven Hill American white oak barrels. The blend of 47 barrels yielded 550 cases and an additional 200 five gallon kegs, providing enough beer for full coast-to-coast distribution.

Those living in locations in which our beers are available should expect to see The Angel’s Share on shelves and taps shortly after Labor Day (September 5th).

Release details are as follows:

  • Beer: The Angel’s Share – Bourbon Barrel-Aged
  • Formats: 375ml cork stoppered bottles and draft
  • Distribution: Full network
  • Purchase limits: None

For more information on The Angel’s Share, click here.

For distribution and availability in your area, please click here.

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Lost Abbey to Release Veritas 009

The Lost Abbey’s latest barrel-aged rarity more than three years in the making

Veritas 009 - May 28, 2011

The Lost Abbey will release the next in its coveted Veritas small-batch barrel-aged beers on Saturday, May 28, 2011. The most complex and time-consuming beer released by the brewery to date, Veritas 009 took more than three years and periods in bourbon and wine barrels to create. With only 100 cases available, Veritas 009 will not reach general distribution and will be available for purchase directly from the brewery only. The 750ml cork-stoppered bottles will be $35 each and strictly limited to four bottles per person.

Veritas 009 is a substantial departure from earlier members of The Lost Abbey’s small batch experimental program, which were generally sour beers aged in French oak barrels for 12 to 15 months. Begun in late 2007 as dark base beer, it was sent to freshly emptied bourbon barrels from Kentucky’s Heaven Hill Distilleries. The beer aged for 15 months before it was moved into French oak barrels previously used for wine (primarily Syrah). Sour cherries were added and the beer was left to rest for another year and three months. Finally, in mid-2010, it was pulled from the barrels, blended, bottled and sent off to condition for an additional 11 months.

“It’s one of the most complex beers we’ve ever created,” Arthur said. “Veritas 009 has strong notes of cherry, red wine, cedar and dark cocoa accentuated by a pervasive acidity that makes for an incredibly deep finish. It’s an amazing beer and easily one of the most cellarable produced at The Lost Abbey. I have no doubt that it will drawn fans from both the craft beer and wine worlds.”

Interestingly, Veritas 009 came close to never being made available to the public. Begun as a private project of Arthur’s, the existence of the beer and the details behind it were kept secret until last year. Even after news of the beer leaked to the public Arthur declined to discuss it beyond acknowledging that he did indeed have a barrel-aging project referred to only as “KT”, a reference to the secretive order of the Knights Templar. It wasn’t until a sampling session that Arthur decided to move the beer into Lost Abbey’s public small batch program and release it as Veritas 009.

“There is so little and it took so long to perfect we actually considered issuing it as a private release, or not at all,” Arthur said. “But after sampling last week, we decided that it was just too good to keep hidden and the public should have access to it.”

A total of 117 cases (12 bottles each) of Veritas 009 were produced. 100 cases will be made available to the public on release day. More details are available below.

Veritas 009 Release Details

  • When: Saturday, May 28, 2011. 10am – 6pm
  • Where: Port Brewing / The Lost Abbey – 155 Mata Way, Suite 104, San Marcos, CA 92069 (click for directions)
  • Total release: 100 cases (1200 bottles)
  • Format: 750ml cork stoppered bottles
  • Price: $35 per bottle
  • Limits: Four (4) bottles per person maximum
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Beer Release: Amazing Grace

This is the scheduled release date for Amazing Grace (Lost and Found aged in wine barrels for two years). This is a limited barrel release and will be available directly from the brewery only. It will not reach our general distribution channels.

More information on yield quantities and bottle purchase limits will be posted as soon as it is available.

Standard disclaimer: this is a barrel-aged beer. As such release dates are subject to change based on the whims of the barrels.

Details:

  • Date: December 11, 2010 – 12pm – 6pm
  • Beer: Amazing Grace
  • Format: 375ml cork-finished bottles
  • Price: $15/bottle
  • Max: 4 bottles per person

Update 1: Nov. 11, 2010: Amazing Grace has been bottled but the release is being pushed to December to allow the bottles to properly condition.

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“I’ve come to The Lost Abbey seeking Deliverance…

As we’re not a “real” abbey, we don’t have large stone walls surrounding our monastery. We most certainly do not have a front gate being guarded over by a man of the cloth either.

Not The Lost Abbey

But like most abbeys, we open our doors on a regular basis for those in need.

Some have smallish needs (like a cold glass of Lost and Found). Others have much larger needs (like cases of Red Poppy).

Yet, one constant remains. Our doors are opened to Sinners and Saints alike on the simple premise that all come to The Lost Abbey seeking something.

Ultimately, this means we’re all in the same boat together. It matters not whether you are a certified Saint or a problematic Sinner, the end is most assuredly going to arrive at some point. And on that day, we’ll huddle together wondering what is left for us as we leave this place.

Most likely we’ll be lined up together seeking some measure of Deliverance. If we’re lucky, we’ll all catch the train headed towards heavens’ front gate. Others will not be so lucky. I suppose, it will be an epic struggle as the Angel’s of Mercy clash mightily with the Demons of Hell.

Just thinking about a Battle Royale for all these souls gets me thirsty.

So today, we’re bottling Deliverance, and let me tell you, it’s one HEAVY beer.

What is Deliverance and how does one bottle it? Well, it’s a blend of Bourbon Barrel Aged Serpent’s Stout and Brandy Barrel Aged Angel’s Share. You see in Bourbon Barrel Aged Serpent’s Stout we have captured the essence of one very evil beer (the Devil’s brew if you will). Blacker than the strongest plague and hotter than Hades itself, there’s fire in this beer- a veritable cauldron of Bourbon infused beer. Left to its own devices, this would be one sinister liquid.

Yet, we have tempered this odious darkness with heaven sent Saintly created Angel’s Share. And together, these two beers will work in harmony to deliver us on that day.

Deliverance by Dominguez

Sean Dominguez worked overtime on the painting for this label. It is perhaps one of the darkest and most disturbing things he has painted for us. So demented in fact his wife Paige expelled it from their home the moment it was completed.

Thankfully, it joins Judgment Day, Inferno and Witch’s Wit in exploring the darker side of life’s struggles and The Lost Abbey role in finding Deliverance for souls — banished or otherwise.

A couple of weeks from now, we’ll be having another release at the Lost Abbey and I fully expect it to be an glorious day. More souls than ever before will find their way through the Abbey’s open doors.

And it will come to no one’s surprise as Saint and Sinners alike approach the alter and utter the phrase – “I’ve come seeking Deliverance.”

For that, I am thankful we have found a way to put Deliverance in a bottle.