Brewer Q & A (Issue 19)

92 Rating - The Lost Abbey - Carnevale Ale 

Responses from The Lost Abbey head brewer, Tomme Arthur.

BC: Who came up with this beer’s recipe?
Tomme: The recipe was designed by Tomme Arthur and Bo Winegarner (one of our original brewers).

BC: What’s your favorite aspect of this beer (flavor, aroma, etc.)?
Tomme: We love the way the spicy yeast notes interact with the citric American Hops (Simcoe and Amarillo), and how the fruity brett finish lends a nice acidity to the beer.

BC: Where does this beer’s name come from?
Tomme: We wanted to have a spring seasonal beer based on the concept of Lent. So we kicked around the idea and Carnival, the celebration, came up.

BC: Is this your “desert island beer?”
Tomme: Not singularly, but if there were a list of five beers you could take to that island, this would have to be considered for that list.

BC: Can you describe this beer in 10 words or less?
Tomme: A delicious addition to the Saison family of beers.

BC: Do you know a story -- or have a personal story -- that revolves around this beer?
Tomme: In 2012 we had a very respected Belgian brewer join us for a beer dinner here at The Lost Abbey. He took a sip of Carnevale and remarked that the beer had a "Belgian Soul" about it. Later that weekend the beer won the Gold Medal and the 2012 World Beer Cup, and he was super pleased to learn that it was our beer that had come out on top.