Ghosts in the Forest
The Lost Abbey in San Marcos, California, United States 🇺🇸
Sour / Wild Beer Regular|
Score
7.56
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Slumbering for 18 months, Ghosts in the Forest is a blend of beer from The Lost Abbey Oak Foeders and a few select French oak barrels. This blonde sour focuses on the complexity of Brettanomyces and oak.
“When we first got these massive Foeders, we knew we were going to have to be patient and let the oak work it’s magic” said Tomme Arthur, COO and Co-Founder of The Lost Abbey. “We’ve since added 3 additional vessels, creating our own “forest” and we’re really excited to start to blending these beers into future creations.”
“When we first got these massive Foeders, we knew we were going to have to be patient and let the oak work it’s magic” said Tomme Arthur, COO and Co-Founder of The Lost Abbey. “We’ve since added 3 additional vessels, creating our own “forest” and we’re really excited to start to blending these beers into future creations.”
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7.1/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7.5
375mL cork and cage bottle. I can't believe I bought this, since I generally don't buy too much Lost Abbey specialty stuff. I paid $18.50, which is ludicrous but a deal for PA and probably fine for drinking on-premise (or at least that's the reasons I told myself). The reason I avoid Lost Abbey is for price (already addressed), carbonation issues, and poorly made beers. Fortunately, this was carbonated and not over carbonated. It also wasn't an acetic sour mess. Its a clear, light golden color with a medium head of average duration. Looks light and fun. The flavor is not as fun as the appearance due to a lightly to much acidity and acetic character. Its not bad but I was drinking this next to a Captain Lawrence CdC, which is very low acidity and acetic character compared to this. So, its fine but not worth the cost.
Tried
from Bottle
on 14 Dec 2017
at 10:03
8.5/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 9
Texture 8
Overall 9
375 ml bottle into tulip glass; no bottle dating, but is a recent release. Pours slightly hazy pale golden/yellow color with a 2 finger fairly dense and fluffy white head with awesome retention, that reduces to a small cap that lingers. Nice spotty soapy lacing clings on the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation retaining the cap. Fantastic appearance. Aromas of big tart lemon, lime, peach, pear, mango, melon, pineapple, papaya, guava, red/green apple, white wine, oak, hay, straw, grass, wheat, and cracker; with lighter notes of vanilla, pepper, leathery/musty funk, white vinegar, and yeast/oak earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of fruity/funky/acidic yeast, oak, and moderate pale malt notes; with great strength. Taste of big tart lemon, lime, peach, pear, mango, melon, pineapple, papaya, guava, red/green apple, white wine, oak, hay, straw, grass, wheat, and cracker; with lighter notes of vanilla, pepper, leathery/musty funk, white vinegar, and yeast/oak earthiness. Light-moderate lactic tartness and yeast/oak spiciness on the finish. Lingering notes of tart lemon, lime, peach, pear, mango, melon, pineapple, papaya, guava, red/green apple, white wine, oak, hay, straw, grass, wheat,cracker, vanilla, pepper, light funk/vinegar, and yeast/oak earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Incredible complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/funky/acidic yeast, oak, and moderate pale malt flavors; with an awesome malt/tart/spiciness balance, and zero puckering flavors after the finish. Moderate increasing dryness from tart/spiciness and carbonation. Medium-high carbonation and light-medium body; with a very smooth, moderately crisp, and grainy/acidic/tannic balanced mouthfeel that is fantastic. Zero warming alcohol as expected of 6%. Overall this is an amazing wild blonde ale! All around incredible complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/funky/acidic yeast, oak, and moderate pale malt flavors; very smooth, crisp, and pretty refreshing to drink with the modestly lactic/tannic/drying finish. Definitely multiple strains of Brett, the complexity is just wonderful; and perfectly balanced. Great malt/oak presence and balance. Not overly lactic. A highly enjoyable offering, and amazing style example.
Tried
from Bottle
on 16 Nov 2017
at 19:38
7.6/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 8.5
On tap at the brewery pours out a pale straw topped with a white head. Nose is nice fresh sour tartness plenty oak barrel notes and some apple. Taste is more of the nice crisp sour notes oak barrel.
Tried
from Draft
on 05 Nov 2017
at 13:16
6.8/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 8
Texture 6
Overall 7
12 oz draft spilt 2 ways, at the Tip Tap Room. Almost clear golden appearance. Aroma is more off putting than the actual flavor. Oak, balsamic, light Bretty funk. Tart not overly sour. Somewhat palatable for me. Not offensive.
Tried
from Draft
on 04 Nov 2017
at 15:42
7.9/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8.5
375 c&c from Cap Tap. Pours semi-hazy gold with a transient white head. Aroma of white berry, oak, citrus - all in a moderately funky way. Med body or so. Flavor is sort of sour lemon soda with astringent wood. I swear there's a kick of sweet after each quaff drains away - quickly followed by sour. This is smooth, clean, lightly funky, somewhat citrus moderately sour ale. Quite the experience.
Tried
from Draft
on 02 Nov 2017
at 22:14
7.6/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 6
Overall 8.5
Sample at Beer Meets Wood on 09/23/2017. Slightly hazy golden color with a medium white head that dissipates steadily to a film. Stringy lacing. Aroma of oak, citrus, yeast and malt. Medium body with flavors of mildly funky yeast, citrus, oak and doughy malt. The finish is slightly funky with a citrusy aftertaste. Pretty good overall.
Tried
on 31 Oct 2017
at 15:34