Start 14-Day Trial Subscription

*No credit card required

Cuvee de Tomme

California
United States
Lost Abbey Cuvee de Tomme beer
Judges Ratings 
1 Review
75
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
31 / 40
Appearance:
3 / 6
Mouthfeel:
5 / 10
Overall Impression:
14 / 20
Description 

A massive brown ale base that is made from four fermentable sugars including Malted Barley, Raisins, Candi Sugar and Sour Cherries, this beer is fully fermented before being placed in Bourbon barrels where the beer ages for one year with the Sour Cherries and the wild Brettanomyces yeast that we inoculate the barrels with. Cuvee starts with a complex nose of tart cherries, vanilla and dusty cocoa finish. There is also an underlying basis of yeast esters and wild yeast components that result in an extraordinary complex nose.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
11.5%
IBUs: 
25
Served at: 
50 - 60° F
Hops: 
Challenger, Styrian Golding, Sterling, East Kent Goldings
Malts: 
Pilsner, Caramunich, Special B, Chocolate, Roasted Wheat
Judges Review 
BC Review's picture
Judges Rating:
75
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
3 / 6
Flavor:
31 / 40
Mouthfeel:
5 / 10
Overall Impression:
14 / 20

The Lost Abbey of San Marcos has been producing esoteric Belgian-influenced ales since 2006 and co-founder Tomme Arthur continues the trend with his acclaimed Cuvee de Tomme. Unfortunately, our samples arrived with virtually no carbonation, which seriously hampered the beer’s ability to present itself in its best light. The nose is dominated by alternating waves of sweet and sour cherries and vanilla-tinged oakiness, punctuated with a racy, almost acetic tartness. Tom was “greeted by a blast of oak and overripe cherries in the nose,” and he struggled to discern any malt lying beneath the flood of fruit and wood. As noted, this beer poured absolutely still, producing no head and lying in the glass a slightly murky brown. Without effervescence, the flavor tended toward cloying sweetness shot through with vanilla, pie cherries, and a dash of pumpkin pie spice. Lee dove past the upfront sweetness and discovered “solid caramel meshed with wintergreen and Maraschino cherries.” But he felt the lack of carbonation damaged the overall impact. One judge, who sampled it at a renowned San Francisco establishment, was served a completely flat glass of Cuvee de Tomme and was informed “That’s how it’s supposed to be.” Although handicapped by a lack of carbonation, Cuvee de Tomme has all the underpinnings of a classic sour ale. The best option may be to sample this iconic brew from the wellspring at the brewery.

Advertisement