Year of New Beer: Vanilla Noir, Prairie Artisan Ales (OK)

Written By: Dion on 01/11/2017

Very complex on the nose, as a fudgy chocolate cake batter serves as the base over which vanilla, coffee, burnt sugars, and marshmallows are layered. On the tongue, the chocolate and coffee complement one another well, as cursory notes of raisin and molasses rise with warmth. Hints of oak and a bit of nuttiness--maybe pecan or walnut--join the subtle but effective whiskey note. The vanilla sweetness persists throughout, keeping the bitterness in check. Stellar.