Beer Review: Red Barn Ale from The Lost Abbey Beer Sessions

Looking for something to serve beer buffs this holiday season? A bottle of this fizzy, tangy farmhouse ale from The Lost Abbey would be right at home with a plate of turkey and stuffing. Plus a cork automatically ups the fancy factor for any beer!

Beer Details: Red Barn Ale from The Lost Abbey, San Marcos, CA (Farmhouse Ale, 6.7% ABV)

Appearance: This one glows a warm sunny gold in the glass with a big ol' head of meringue-like foam. Lots of happy bubble action.

Aroma: Bright sour fruit aromas push forward with hints of spice in the background. A little funky, very fresh. Enjoy the aroma because you'll be smelling it for a while as you wait for the foam to settle down!

Taste: Sweet and tart cider flavors scoot across the tongue, supported by crisp, crackery malts. The hops have a stronger presence than I expected from a farmhouse ale. They add a piney perfume around the edges of the mouth and in the back of the throat.

A wallop of lemon zest and pithy citrus rind keep the taste bright and fresh. More soft fruit flavors come out as the beer warms and bring a nice balance to the bitter notes. This beer stays frothy and sparkling from the first sip to the last.

Food Pairings: The bright, citrus-forward flavor of this beer makes it an excellent choice with rich foods. Pair it with braises and roasts of all kinds.

Have you tried this beer? What do you think of it?

(Image: Emma Christensen)

Comments (6)

I love Lost Abbey, but their quality control is extremely sketchy. Half of the bottles I have bought from them end up being flat. I just can't take the chance anymore.

Has anyone done the tour of Lost Abbey? Is it worth checking out?

I have been there, but it is a very small production brewery in an industrial business lot. I would recommend going on the weekend, sampling, and just walking around looking at all the barrels.

Lots of exciting things going on at Lost Abbey currently, the bar area is still expanding and the whole operation is growing. They do have some issues with beers going flat after bottling but for the most part their beer line-up is one of the best in San Diego. They're definitely worth a visit.

I liked this one a lot. A friend of mine brought it back to Florida from his trip to Denver. I've only had a couple of their beers. Each was great, though Cuvee de Tomme was a little flat for me. I'd love to make a road trip to S. Cal and Lost Abbey would certainly be on the list of stops.

Need to get down there and hit up Stone as well! Great area for brews!