The Lost Abbey Cable Car 2012

The Lost Abbey Cable Car 2012 is a legendary American wild ale that highlights the artistry and innovation of The Lost Abbey, the award-winning San Marcos brewery renowned for its mastery of barrel-aged Belgian-inspired beers. First brewed as an exclusive release for The Toronado in San Francisco, Cable Car has become one of the most coveted blends in craft beer history, with the 2012 vintage standing as a benchmark of complexity, rarity, and balance.

Built on a mash bill of malted barley, wheat, and specialty grains, Cable Car 2012 undergoes mixed fermentation with Brettanomyces, Lactobacillus, and Pediococcus before resting in oak barrels. This meticulous process produces a beer of remarkable depth. On the nose, it offers aromas of lemon zest, apricot, white grape, and a gentle oak funk. The palate reveals bright acidity layered with flavors of tart stone fruit, green apple, and subtle vinous notes, carried by a lively carbonation. A crisp, dry finish leaves lingering impressions of citrus and barrel-aged character, making it both refreshing and endlessly complex.

The Lost Abbey has earned international recognition, with multiple awards at the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup, cementing its reputation as one of America’s finest producers of wild and barrel-aged ales. The 2012 release of Cable Car remains a sought-after collector’s piece and a testament to the brewery’s legacy of excellence, innovation, and craftsmanship.