Prairie Noir - Prairie Artisan Ales

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.23/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 2.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Pours ebony with a pinky of caramel brown head. Viscious, look to this, a bit of head retention & lacing

S: Dark fruits in abundance, raisins, carob, faint boozeyness, vanilla

T: Carob, oakyness, vanilla, charcoal & baker's chocolate up front. Raisins, plums, dark chocolate, boozey oakyness as this warms, some sourmash attributes,slight smokeyness, slight dark cherry sweetness & vanilla. Finshes with a nice bit vanilla & oak, sour cherry, a modicum of licorice & raisin

MF: Medium/heavy bodied with subtle carbonation, pretty dry, fairly slick/smooth as this warms

Drinks easy for the style & ABV, this just got better as it warms. Not sure I would age this as it is drinking fabulous right now

I predict this will be highly sought after if kept in the regular rotation

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 06:25:20 | More by russpowell

metter98

New York

4.21/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

A: The beer is jet black in color and poured with a quarter finger high tan head.
S: Moderately strong aromas of whiskey are present in the nose that died down, leaving a thin head covering the surface.
T: Like the smell, the taste is dominated by flavors of whiskey from the barrel aging process and also has notes of dark chocolate and roasted malts.
M: It feels medium-bodied and rather smooth on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation. There are some notes of warming from the alcohol.
O: This is a nice beer if you like whiskey bucause it is prominently featured in the smell and taste but isn't overpowering.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 01:56:16 | More by metter98

dbrauneis

New Jersey

4.21/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A: Pours an opaque jet black in color with light to moderate amounts of visible carbonation and some dark cola brown highlights. The beer has a half finger tall dense foamy dark tan head that slowly reduces to a very thin film covering the majority of the surface of the beer, a small patch of medium thickness, and a medium thick ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate aromas of whiskey and oak barrels with some lighter notes of roasted malt, chocolate, and coffee.

T: Upfront there are moderate flavors of roasted and sweet malts with some lactose notes. Light to moderate flavors of whisky and oak. Some much lighter notes of dark chocolate and caramel. There is a light amount of spiciness in the aftertaste, like from a rye whiskey.

M: Heavier than medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation.

O: Really enjoyable, this beer has great flavors and aromas contributed from the barrel aging. The alcohol is well hidden making this beer easier to drink. Definitely one worth finding and my first beer from Oklahoma.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 01:36:56 | More by dbrauneis

Hellpop65

Kansas

2.5/5  rDev -41.3%

05-18-2013 22:44:13 | More by Hellpop65

jhamp9

Texas

4.35/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Thick jet black pour with a thin dark brown head that fades down to a ring. Nice lacing that slides down the glass.

Strong milk chocolate aroma with some roast and faint caramel.

Taste is dark chocolate, char, sweet milk chocolate, vanilla, and bourbon. Coffee aftertaste. Bitterness comes through in the finish.

Really nice silky texture. Alcohol warmth on the way down.

This is fantastic stout.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 21:07:21 | More by jhamp9

beerhan

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +5.6%

05-15-2013 02:42:05 | More by beerhan

Compton25

Texas

4.25/5  rDev -0.2%

05-10-2013 03:29:57 | More by Compton25

RuckusDu

Colorado

4.15/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Such a different beer. The whiskey barrels are very forward but it almosts tastes like an amazing black IPA. Light on the mouth and a little drying. Nose has some of that sour milky aroma with some smooth whiskey. Flavor is as described above. Really a different beer here that is a welcome surprise.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2013 18:42:55 | More by RuckusDu

andjriz

Oklahoma

4.25/5  rDev -0.2%

05-07-2013 01:16:01 | More by andjriz

blankust

Oklahoma

4.99/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

served from bottle into chalice style glass.

Appearance: ebony with half finger thick brown head
Aroma: very winy, chocolate/coffeeish aroma
Mouth feel: very smooth
Taste: bitter chocolate followed by coffee and toffee, hints of vanilla throughout, can feel alcohol warmth, long lasting cocoa aftertaste.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 00:00:34 | More by blankust

mwilbur

Minnesota

4.3/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from 750 mL bottle into snifter.
A: Pours as black as a moonless night with a nice 1/2 inch dark tan head. Good retention. Looks as heavy (or massive) as a black hole. Extremely inviting.
S: Aroma alternates between dark (bitter) chocolate, whiskey, and roasted malt notes. Hint of burnt sugar and wood smoke.
T: Not quite as powerful as the appearance and aroma suggested. Still, a potent mix of dark roast coffee, bitter dark chocolate, vanilla, whiskey, and a hint of heavy cream. In the background lingers some elusive hop notes. And with warming there emerges a note of melon. Nice complexity.
M: Absolutely silky smooth up front (courtesy of the oatmeal). Also suprisingly light body. Then it quickly turns bitter (chocolate, malt, and hop elements) with a moderate alcohol burn. In addition, the bright acidity lends a nice "fresh" element to this brew. Not the typical mouthfeel of an imperial stout...in a good way.
D: A solid, complex, and at times surprising (pleasantly) beer. A wonderful brew..seek it out!

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2013 03:55:53 | More by mwilbur

djrn2

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -6.1%

05-02-2013 23:41:09 | More by djrn2

acurtis

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -12%

05-02-2013 23:31:01 | More by acurtis

golf4collet

West Virginia

4.25/5  rDev -0.2%

05-01-2013 02:36:18 | More by golf4collet

Dope

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

No date that I can find on this one.

A: Pitch black pour with a good sized and dense medium brown head. Head fades very slowly with top notch retention. Wide splotches of lacing everywhere.

S: Nice charred oak with sweet caramel and vanilla. Get a little bit of...coconut maybe? Decent sweet roasted malt - chocolate primarily. Sweet grains too, must be the oatmeal.

T: Oh yeah, this is nice. Sweet caramel and chocolate up front. Oatmeal joins in along with the char, giving it a burnt oatmeal like flavor. Not as bad as it sounds, quite pleasant in fact. A bit of chocolate syrup in the middle. Finish is charred oak and hints of vanilla and burnt sugar. Fairly drying.

M: Heavy, smooth, creamy. Really nice.

O: One helluva nice stout. Barrel character is not overpowering, this is not BCBS (for better or worse). But it does add a nice element of complexity and really makes this one big and tasty brew. Oatmeal adds creaminess and further complexity. Beer is mellow and smooth throughout, no sharp flavors at all. No real booziness either. Great brew.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2013 03:54:02 | More by Dope

valkyre65

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +5.6%

04-28-2013 23:03:11 | More by valkyre65

smithj4

New York

4.25/5  rDev -0.2%

04-28-2013 17:53:22 | More by smithj4

bsuedekum

Missouri

4.5/5  rDev +5.6%

04-27-2013 13:01:04 | More by bsuedekum

Bosoxfan20

Oklahoma

4.35/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A- Poured from a 750ml bottle into a sniffer glass. Pours a beautiful, syrupy near black with just the smallest mocha colored head. I tried and tried to get some foam going with this beer but no luck. Under carbonated? Possibly. Not much lacing. Love the color though.

S- Some chocoalte and coffee, tons of carmelized malts, dark fruits, roasted marshmellows, wiskey, damp wood, and booze. A sweet, wonderful aroma. Very intriguing!

T- Taste follows nose wonderfully. Huge amounts of roasted flavors. Dark chocolate, oats and oak. Oak aged to perfection. Everything i smelled and maybe enhanced some. Warm, dry finish. Balanced and complex.

M- Oh so creamy. Full body. Viscous. Undercarbonation is my only complaint, and it is a modest complaint at that. But the smoothness of this beer seems to make up for it. The alcohol presence gives it a nice, crisp finish that lets you know it is a sipper.

O- My second brew from Prairie, and like the first (Standard), I find it really enjoyable. Goes nicely with a steak dinner. The barel aging may have subdued the carbonation a bit too much, but overall this was an outstanding imperial stout.

$11.99 for 750ml bottle

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 23:18:12 | More by Bosoxfan20

OUJayhawk1799

Oklahoma

4.5/5  rDev +5.6%

04-20-2013 18:40:15 | More by OUJayhawk1799

Hopswagger

Oklahoma

3.94/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

P: Pitch black darkness peered down upon by dense fresh espresso froth. Moderate retention leaving a completely covered blanket of dark froth and lacing forming a wall that sluggishly slips down the edges.

S: Robust roasted dark malts, salted caramel, vanilla bean, sweet whisky mash, cooking cocoa, milk chocolate, and a shaved coconut background.

T/M: Cherry mash, cooking cocoa, aggressive grain alcohol. The vanilla and shaved coconut are there but masked by the aggressive whisky barreling. Once swallowed bitter cooking cocoa, and espresso hit the back of the throat. Super boozy and rough. Mouthfeel is medium at best and the zesty carbonation level almost ruins the entire beer.

Second glass is much better and more blended. Booze has blended much better and carbonation settled its self down.

O: I was excited about this given the experience I have had with this breweries offerings. At first I really had my reservation about this and wanted to pour it out. The carb level dialed down on the second glass and really joined the family together. I'm glad I continued this adventure because it really got better with every sip. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2013 02:39:55 | More by Hopswagger

Sparky44

Illinois

4/5  rDev -6.1%

04-01-2013 01:07:19 | More by Sparky44

PoBear

Oklahoma

4.5/5  rDev +5.6%

03-23-2013 15:29:18 | More by PoBear

StaveHooks

Oklahoma

4.34/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

750ml served n a snifter

A - Black as night with 1 finger of mocha colored bubbles. Noticeable retention with specks of lacing.

S - Chocolate and whiskey creep out right away, dark and berry fruits, the barrel really starts coming out and addind a sweet rustic, woody character with hints of herbs. Malty alcohol vapors wake up the senses.

T - Creamy chocolate, vanilla, whiskey barrel comes in with a wave drying out the sweet chocolate malts, hints of lightly acidic fruit add a perfect touch of tartness. A kiss of alcohol hits the outside edge and laces caramel, vanilla, herbs and roasted malts. Finishes roasty with a hint of fruity alcohol.

M - Thick and viscous feel, full dense body, very creamy carbonation, feels the mouth like a milk shake but doesn't overbear. Very different but complex feel,

I've never experienced a mouthfeel like this. The only word that describes it is "decadent". Excellent stout base with careful whiskey barrel roundness. This is an impressive beer. It almost forces you to sip and savor it. Well done Prairie!

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 02:46:42 | More by StaveHooks

DelMontiac

Oklahoma

4.2/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

Finally, a big barrel-aged imperial stout from an Oklahoma brewer. My first encounter with Prairie Artisan Ales. Purchased at Brown's Bottle Shop, Stillwater, OK. Twas a good day, that one...

Opened the 750mL corked/caged bottle with a friend and poured into original Crown and Rose nonics. Did not notice any dating, but was so excited I forgot to look for one. Pours opaque black/brown with a single finger of rusty brown foam. Very good head retention forming scant crackled lace.

Not allowing for bottle warming, the aromas are a bust upon initial pour - faint licorice, coffee bean, whiskey, and wild yeast. After several minutes of warming in the glass the nose awakes, but still a bit drowsey - espresso, dark Belgian chocolate, port wine, burnt brown sugar, and whiskey.

Flavors are more pronounced than the nose would indicate. Bittersweet dark chocolate, black cherries and raisins simmered in bourbon, smokey charred oak, scorched molasses, and vanilla bean flecks on the finish. There is a distinct grassy hop character and some warming alcohol.

Medium-full chewy body is not as sticky as some imperial stouts, but smooth and comforting. Carbonation is just right. Alcohol warmth stops this one short of 5 in the feel dept. Still, righteous.

These brewers should be proud of this gem. Can it hang with the "big dogs" of the imperial stout style? Some of them - yes. I'd like to see what this can do in cellar. If I can find more, I'm on it.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2013 00:17:14 | More by DelMontiac