Because they are one of my favorite breweries, it’s hard to believe I’ve made it this far on The Hopry without reviewing a Lost Abbey beer. But that will all come to an end right now. So…this week (as part of my ‘Low ABV Series’) we’ve had a Hefeweizen, an American Wheat Ale, and now we’re drinking this Flanders Oud Bruin from Lost Abbey called Red Poppy Ale. This is basically a sour ale brewed with cherries and aged in oak barrels for several months. Not only is the process seemingly similar, but it is also very reminiscent in aroma and taste to Russian River’s beautifully crafted Supplication. I should also mention that Lost Abbey (like Russian River) is one of the most well-respected breweries out there. Don’t believe me? Click here and see how many beers in their lineup score higher than 95 points on Ratebeer – it’s pretty impressive. Poured only from a 375ml bottle, Red Poppy screams Flanders Ale (similar to Duchesse de Bourgogne) but with a decidedly more wild yeast characteristic. This is for the beer geeks for sure, and at only 5.5% ABV you could also enjoy other great craft beers in the same night.
Check out all sessions of The Hopry here.
This beer can be found in these states.
On the iPod: Bonnie “Prince” Billy “Beware Your Only Friend”
Brewery: Lost Abbey
Beer: Red Poppy Ale
Style: Flanders Oud Bruin
Location: San Marcos, California
ABV: 5.5%
Rating: 94/100
Posted by Bobby Digital on April 16, 2010 at 5:44 PM
Funny you said you got some Red Poppy yesterday because I got one in the mail too among some other beers. Nice review as always Mark and those LA glasses kick ass! I might have to to buy a couple.
Posted by thehopry on April 17, 2010 at 7:00 AM
So is it safe to say you are coming around to sours now? I know the last time we talked you were looking to get an Ithaca LeBleu and before that you weren’t that fond of sours. They are certainly hard to love in the beginning but then eventually you just become so intrigued by them that you can’t help but like them.
Posted by Bobby Digital on April 17, 2010 at 9:10 AM
Yeah, I’ve really grown to really appreciate them. Duck Duck Gooze was the beer that did it for me. The only downfall to this is the fact that sours can be the rarest of the rare and aren’t ever cheap.
Posted by John on April 16, 2010 at 9:14 PM
To me this beer screams Flanders Red vs Flanders Brown (Oud Bruin). It is aged in oak and has acetic character, both consistent with Flanders Red and not Flanders Brown. Flanders Brown ales are typically aged in steel, not sharply sour and with lactic but not acetic acid. The basic question is, is this beer more like Rodenbach or Liefmans? I think that is a pretty easy question to answer. Anyway, I think the characterization of Red Poppy as “Flanders Red” is consistent with Michael Jackson’s descriptions, the guidelines promulgated by the BJCP and indeed Lost Abbey’s own Red Poppy press release.
Nit picky, I know, and otherwise I like your review.
Posted by thehopry on April 17, 2010 at 6:55 AM
Hi John –
Thank you for the comments. All very valid points. When I researched this beer after purchasing, everything I read (including LA’s website) said Red Poppy Ale is made with an Oud Bruin base. In fact, there website currently says:
“Red Poppy Ale is a veritable celebration of Sour Cherries in an explosion of aromas and tastes. Brewed from a brown ale base and aged in our oak barrels for over 6 months, this beer is not for the faint of heart.”
This beer tastes almost identical to Russian River’s Supplication, which if you read RR’s description of their beer they say theirs has a brown ale base as well (with cherries and oak-aging). So if they are this similar, why does BA consider one a Flanders Oud Bruin and the other an American Wild Ale?
I do agree that there are also similarities here to the reds (such as Duchesse, Rodenbach, etc), but really I think they’ve just kind of blurred the lines between the two with this one.
So who knows? I know they’re both very good beers and I guess that’s what really matters. Appreciate your comments.
Thanks Again!
Mark Starr
Posted by Jamison Moeckel on April 17, 2010 at 5:21 PM
I love that glass! I have 2 as well, man they really are cool! like a snifter tulip and wine glass all rolled into one!
Posted by JSKC on April 21, 2010 at 3:45 PM
Haha, I saw that beard and immediately though Bonnie Prince Billy. Low and behold, it’s on your iPod. Awesome. Nice reviews, I’m glad I finally found your blog.