126. The Lost Abbey Avant Garde Ale

Our first beer from Lost Abbey, which is located in San Marcos, CA. Avant Garde “is available year-round for the enjoyment of Sinners and Saints alike.”

Avant Garde has a slight candy sweetness in the nose; the color is a cloudy copper, although we did end up with yeast from the bottle in our glasses—we weren’t careful enough with the pouring. There was also a creamy ivory head on the beer. Avant Garde starts with some low sweetness and dry biscuit flavors before moving into some slight spice and ester notes in the middle (peppery and spicy), and finishes with light sour notes—there is just a twinge of adhesive—and some lager-like tastes in the conclusion. The mouthfeel is creamy and soft with a light carbonation bite that more rounds that shapes the beer or flavor, although there is also some dryness to the beer. Avant Garde has a complex malt profile that is a bit difficult to pin down and precisely locate the components in it, even as it is very enjoyable.

From the Lost Abbey website: “At the Lost Abbey, we pride ourselves on producing beers of the highest quality and distinction. Avant Garde is our commitment to brewing beers to no particular style. Some might want to label this as a beer brewed in the Biere de Garde tradition of Northern France. We would prefer to say it was brewed in the Avant Garde style of beers that will reward all those who seek the not so ordinary. Deep gold in color with hints of biscuits, caramel and fresh baked bread, this beer is sure to delight the senses and palates of consumers everywhere. From the French word ‘Garde’ meaning something worth keeping, this Biere de Garde styled Farmhouse Ale is a most delicious companion to a loaf of freshly baked bread from the oven. Grab a seat on the porch, some soft cheese and a tree ripened apple from your grandmother’s old orchard. Relax and watch the evening arrive as the afternoon sun is consumed by the illuminating moon over the gardens. We brewed Avant Garde for you, our friends and families. Here’s to things worth guarding over.”

ABV: 7.0%

OG: 1.060

FG: 1.008

Malts: Two Row, Honey Malt and Port Custom Toast

Hops: German Brewer’s Gold, Strissespalt Spalt and Czech Saaz

(11/3/2009)