Year of New Beer: Apple Brandy Barrel Noir, Prairie Artisan Ales (OK)

Written By: Dion on 07/18/2015

Rich cocoa and creamy vanilla strike the nose first, with sweet cooked apples and charred oak lingering in the background. On the tongue is a depth of flavors that starts with a roasted malt and coffee bean before melting into a brandy-tinged milk chocolate and wisps of smoke. The apple provides an interesting twist, coming off at times as lightly tart, then morphing to a baked sweetness, while an underlying hint of grape juice and wooden spice add complexity. This is a really nice beer, a definite step up from Bomb, in my opinion.