Loosely translated to “seat vacant” Lost Abbey is releasing a beer to commemorate the retirement of the Pope….This from Lost Abbey:
San Marcos, CA-Inspired from the shroud of mystery that envelopes the Vatican City during the Papal Conclave, The Lost Abbey presents their newest creation, Sede Vacante. Created from a cloak and dagger blend of variously aged barrels previously stored in the catacombs of the brewery, Sede Vacante is a marvel of equal parts flavor and mystery. The creation of the beer itself was veiled in secrecy; the recipe written on black papyrus was burned soon after completion. An extremely limited amount of bottles, less than 100 cases, will be available beginning March 23rd. With its small-batch size, Sede Vacante’s lore will only be intensified with its fleeting availability.
“It’s not very often we get to fete the arrival of a new Pontiff” said Tomme Arthur, Director of Brewery Operations at The Lost Abbey. “We felt this was an exceptional event worthy of a new release from our Lost Abbey Barrel Program.”
Sede Vacante is a blend of Barleywine aged in Cognac barrels and Brandy barrel-aged Angel’s Share and comes in around 15% abv. A deep beer with varying notes of dark fruit and vanilla, with a warming finish from the Cognac.
It’s been over 500 years since the last time a pope resigned, Pope Gregory XIII in 1415, and in accordance with Vatican Law, Sede Vacante (from latin meaning “vacant seat”) occurs. Without a leader of the Holy See, Sede Vacante becomes a period of reflection of the prior Pope and joy and excitement for the selection of a new head of state for the Vatican City.
The artwork for Sede Vacante, as with all Lost Abbey bottles, was done by local artist Sean Dominguez and focuses on the image of an empty gilded chair illuminated from above and the assembly of Cardinals looking to fill the void.
Sede Vacante took full advantage of The Lost Abbey’s extensive oak-aging barrel program. “Cognac barrels were chosen for their complexity and depth, helping lend flavors of over-ripe fruit and some essence of black strap molasses” said Gwen Conley, Director of Production and Quality Assurance. “The Cognac also gave the beer its elegance and darkness in reverence of the empty Vatican seat”
With over 850 barrels in the Oak-Aging Barrel program, unique and small-batch permutations have been possible and produced some of The Lost Abbey’s more sought after beer such as Cuvee De Tomme, The Veritas Series, Duck Duck Gooze and many others.
Sede Vacante will be sold on a limited basis for $35 per 750 ml cork finished bottle at the Port Brewing / Lost Abbey Brewery in San Marcos. Because of the limited amount, customers will be restricted to two bottles per person, with the on-sale beginning March 23rd at 10am. 
Update 21 Mar 2013: Sede Vacante Labeling today.
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