The Lost Abbey Red Poppy Ale

What the brewers say

“Post primary fermentation, we blend our Dawn Patrol Dark with our Amigo Lager. Barrel fermentation produces a beer with hints of vanilla, tannins, and sourness from the cherries, the secondary fermentation, and extensive aging.”

What our panel thought

Aroma: “Sweet cherry, oak, and a hint of vanilla with very pleasant berry, apricot, and cherry complex fruit aromatics. Medium sour notes. Slight astringent note but not overpowering.”

Flavor: “Light lactic sourness, moderate acidity, and a light floral character. Fruity notes of fig and cherry and some oak. Herbal notes reminiscent of pumpkin pie spices. Light body with a moderate carbonation that supports the sour notes. High sourness with a slight chocolate (?) note that continues slightly into the linger. Moderately high acid sharpens the whole thing. Subtle sweetness when you look for it.”

Overall: “Very complex with the combination of fruit and wood. Quite a bit of tannic bite. A sour-forward beer with carbonation to support it. Slight herbal notes in the background that come and go throughout the tasting. Sour balance and fruitiness is delightful.”