Prairie Fog Ale - Free State Brewing Co.

JEdmund

Kansas

4.78/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

From web site: "This medium amber ale gets its inspiration from the famous Steam beer of Anchor Brewing Co. and its iconoclastic proprietor of Midwest origins, Fritz Maytag. Steam beer is a term now trademarked by Anchor and therefore protected from use. No one knows for sure how Anchor's flagship beer acquired it's name, but one theory involves the fog of steam and condensation that would rise from the coolship of the brewhaus as the wort was cooling in the damp San Francisco air. Because the original brewery did not have the requisite refrigeration to ferment their lager yeast at the proper lager temperatures, the beer was fermented at ale temperatures. Beers employing this technique have come to be known as California Commons, an homage to the beer's origins. Prairie Fog Ale likewise employs a lager yeast fermented at a warm, ale-like 65ºF (a full 15ºF warmer than the lagers we produce). The resulting beer is medium bodied and balanced, with just enough hop character to blend with the caramel notes of the malt. The increased fermentation temperature results in a bit of fruitiness indicative of an ale, with the clean profile of a lager in the finish. This interpretation uses some of the classic woody and minty Northern Brewer hops that Anchor employs in its signature beer along with some Czech Saaz hops that lend a subtle spiciness. O.G. - 13.4/1.054, Hops - 39 IBUs"

Appearance
Ruby body with a moderate tan head

Smell
Light malty aroma with some fruity overtones and herbal hop undertones

Taste & Body
Exceptionally clean malt profile kicks off the flavor and carries through to the end when a delicate, yet noticeable hop bitterness cuts the finish clean. Hops exhibit an herbal and earthy quality and are employed beautifully here. The malts are smooth, clean, and just slightly sweet. Ale-like fruitiness makes an appearance in the mid-palate, providing another layer to this light and complex lager. Body is medium with a med-high level of carbonation.

Overall
I think this beer could replace Ad Astra and become the new in-house specialty. It's approachable by many, yet provides enough complexity to be enjoyed by the connoisseur. Free State continually impresses me, but this one really wowed me.

Serving type: on-tap

11-11-2009 14:48:59 | More by JEdmund