Friday, January 31, 2014

Old Ale Project – Prairie Artisan Ales’ The Beer That Saved Christmas (#8)

16.9oz bottle decanted into a snifter.  10% ABV.  Served at 55F and allowed to elevate to room temperature. 

Appearance:  Deep chestnut, pours brilliantly clear until you get into the dregs, relatively fat bubbles make up a pretty firm head (3.5/5).

Aroma:  Wood, leather, molasses, bourbon, Cherry Coke, and a touch of sweet vinegar (4.5/5).

Taste:  I’m initially struck by an interesting sour note that I did not expect.  That flavor crescendos pretty quickly, and then it thins out and clears with only a soft touch of oak left behind.  A little research has informed me that Prairie spikes the beer with a “mixture of wild bacteria”, so I’m glad to see the infection is intentional. I also get some tobacco, cherry, vanilla, and chocolate.  As it warms, the cherry flavor comes marching into the forefront.  God… what an interesting beer (4.75/5).

Mouthfeel:  Rather thin with a touch of astringency from the oak (3.25/5).

Overall:  Man, this is great.  It’s an old ale, aged in bourbon barrels, and inoculated with wild bacteria.  I’m (nearly) speechless.  It certainly isn’t traditional by any stretch of the imagination, but I love what they have done with it (4.25/5).

-Matt

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