Tap Handle #272: Lost Abbey

This is a nice tap that reminds me of the Moylans and Nola taps that also feature a cross. One size fits all with this tap - it's not variety-specific and is used for all Lost Abbey brews.

Lost Abbey's origins began in Solano Beach, California in 1987 by Vince and Gina Marsaglia. The two siblings bought a struggling pizza place called Pizza Port and turned it into a local favorite. Vince took advantage of free space in the restaurant’s storage area to dabble with home brewing. At the urging of friends and fans, Vince and Gina decided to go into the brewpub business. Pizza Port offered its first craft-brewed beers to patrons in 1992. In 1997 the company opened a second location a few miles north of Solana Beach in Carlsbad, and a third in 2003 in San Clemente. That same year the original location in Solana Beach won Great American Beer Festival “Small Brewpub of the Year”.

In 2006 Vince and Gina expanded production by brewing in a facility formerly owned by Stone Brewing Company in San Marcos. They joined with Tomme Arthur and Jim Comstock to form two brands in the same building, Port Brewing and Lost Abbey. With Port Brewing focused on American ales, Lost Abbey's brews were Belgian-inspired. Five beers are issued under the Lost Abbey label year-round, and a number of seasonal and specialty releases are offered at various times throughout the year. As many of these are blended and aged for up to 18 months in French Oak, Brandy and Bourbon barrels, Lost Abbey beers are universally recognized for their complexity, unique flavors, and bold, boundary-pushing styles. Their brews have won numerous awards at the Great American Beer Festival. They are currently looking for a second location that will house the Lost Abbey brand on its own.

As a Catholic-raised Christian, Arthur attempts to brew his beers using religion as the basis and context for his brews. This has led to some controversy for the brewery, however, especially over the release of Witch's Wit, a summer seasonal with the label depicting a woman being burned at the stake. Many people found this offensive and organized a boycott of the brewery.

Lost Abbey's highest-rated brew is probably Serpent's Stout, a thick and opaque winter seasonal with hints of mocha, caramel, and vanilla. Weighted average on ratebeer.com is 4.03 out of 5.

Lost Abbey Official Website (this website is more like a blog)