The Lost Years Ale Brewed with Spices and Aged in Oak Barrels

Review Date 3/3/2021 By John Staradumsky

  Style: Strong Ale   Brewery: Atlanta Brewing   Country: USA   State: Georgia   $ Per OZ: N/A   ABV: 8.6%

So, Red Brick the Lost Years. The Lost Years is release 5 in the brewery’s Brick Mason series of specialty beers-or it was at any rate. Yes, for me, the Lost Years Ale Brewed with Spices and Aged in Oak Barrels sort of became “The Lost Beers”. I knew I had popped one of these bad boys when I first bought them, but how long ago was that? I was sure I did not know.

I did have a bottle in front of me (which is always preferable to a frontal lobotomy), and went to check it into Untappd. I had never checked this beer in there, it turned out, and since I joined Untappd on April 4^th of 2013, I determined that I must have bought this beer before that date. I know I drank one before then, because I log all my different beers on a spreadsheet, and The Lost Years was on it.

I know I bought a four-pack. I suspect I have two more left after the one I am drinking now (or maybe not, I might have given one or two away). A little research, though, reveals that The Lost Years Ale Brewed with Spices and Aged in Oak Barrels was released in January of 2013 to celebrate the 20^th Anniversary of Atlanta Brewing Company, aka Red Brick.

So how would the lost years between 2013, when I bought this beer, and 2021, when I drank one, have treated it? It’s interesting to ponder that we may look back one day at 2020 and 2021 as the lost years-lost to Covid-19.

Red Brick The Lost Years Ale Brewed with Spices and Aged in Oak Barrels has an alcohol content of 8.6% by volume with 22 IBUs. I have no idea what I paid for it. It is brewed with Bravo and Willamette hops.

Red Brick The Lost Years Ale Brewed with Spices and Aged in Oak Barrels pours to a murky reddish color with a medium creamy tan head a rich nose of spice cake and, well, spice cake. Taking a sip, the beer is full in body with caramel and a hint of chocolate. There’s woody oak and raisin and a hint of citrus rind, then it all wraps up with a warming alcohol finish and boozy bourbon. The has held up quite well indeed over time.

I wish I had taken notes when I drink this beer young, but I didn’t, or at least I cannot find any. Maybe Red Brick will release this again in 2023, for their 30^th anniversary? If I have another bottle, I will save it for comparison. Just in case.

Glad I tried it?  T