Prairie Gold
Capital Brewery

Prairie GoldPrairie Gold
Beer Geek Stats | Print Shelf Talker
From:
Capital Brewery
 
Wisconsin, United States
Style:
Belgian Pale Strong Ale
ABV:
6.7%
Score:
83
Avg:
3.58 | pDev: 11.45%
Reviews:
24
Ratings:
26
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Nov 13, 2012
Added:
May 16, 2008
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  0
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by imperialking:
Photo of imperialking
Rated by imperialking from Illinois

3.25/5  rDev -9.2%

Nov 13, 2012
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 2.5 by barnzy78 from Illinois

Nov 25, 2011
Photo of pmcadamis
Reviewed by pmcadamis from Illinois

4.07/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A - Crimson tinged gold, slightly clear, with a small but well-built eggshell head. The head looks creamy, and so does the lace slowly sliding back into the brew. Head retention is really good too.

S - Maple syrup. This smells like a one of those caramel gooey candies with the vanilla white stuff swirled up in the middle. I have no idea what they are called, but they're good. Behind the sweetness, there is a musky cologne-like scent.... and when I say cologne, I don't mean some balsa-wood lavender infusion crap. Im talkin' some good old English Leather or Old Spice. Real man's cologne!

T - Not as sweet as the nose suggests, this is complex as hell. After the initial toffee flavors (but not sweet) it shows tons of deep wood, stone, mineral, and earth notes with a dash of cinnamon and red wine tannins on the finish.

M - Lots of carbonation and a crisp and dry finish makes this one extremely lively and playful, and that is the hallmark of a good Belgian pale or strong-pale ale.

D - This isn't on the same level as the authentic Belgians, and the obvious comparison to Duvel isn't even warranted, but for a Belgian style pale ale brewed in Wiscansin, this is damn good! I thought that this would be another "summer seasonal" American wheat or pils but I was very happy to discover a very good stab at a semi-obscure style.
Mar 26, 2009
Photo of nsmartell
Reviewed by nsmartell from Wisconsin

3.33/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
I enjoyed this beer from the comfort of my own living room. From the 12oz bottle to a standard pint glass.

Appearance: Pours a nice gold color with a thick, white head with real nice lacing.

Smell: Spicy and floral hops.

Taste: Bread and malts and hints of alcohol.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied and highly carbonated.

Drinkability: The best Capital brew I have tasted to date. Would try again.
Dec 15, 2008
Photo of BuckeyeNation
Reviewed by BuckeyeNation from Iowa

3.57/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Sparkling topaz with bright goldenrod trim. The two finger cap of fluffy foam is lightly yellowed ivory in color and doesn't look the least bit Belgianesque (that would have been too much to hope for). Sheer sheets of shredded lace look better than decent.

The nose is as much hefeweizen as Belgian pale ale. An ABV of 6.7% doesn't qualify any beer as 'strong' unless one lives in the British Isles. Each sniff delivers plenty of banana and quite a bit of clove. There must be a fairly high quality yeast strain in the house.

Capital Prairie Gold doesn't taste as good as it smells, although it's still above average beer in a general sense. Compared to a true Belgian pale ale, it's probably no better than average. I'm having trouble putting my finger on exactly why this offering doesn't measure up.

The beer has some underlying sweetness due to the addition of candi sugar. As each mouthful progresses, however, it becomes increasingly bitter and surprisingly dry. Other than the fruit and spice of the yeast, there aren't a whole lot of flavors floating around. Unfortunately, the yeast isn't quite as vibrant as expected.

An unwelcome graininess peeks through at the edges and is joined by a flash of alcohol that might have softened a fraction given another few months in repose. I still get banana and clove, perhaps a hint of tart apricot as well. Bottom line: too bitter, too dry and too warm.

The body/mouthfeel can't hold a candle to the Belgian originals. It's medium in heft, with a slight candi sugar slickness and energetic carbonation that is somewhat harsh and brittle rather than soft, creamy and caressing. Plenty of work to do here.

I'm not sure why Capital, a midwestern brewery known for German-style lagers, would release a Belgian pale ale as a summer seasonal. In the final reckoning, Prairie Gold is okay beer, but I have no desire to drink it again unless some pretty significant changes are made.
Nov 30, 2008
Photo of Gueuzedude
Reviewed by Gueuzedude from Arizona

3.38/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
As I pour this into my 25cl tulip glass an aroma of grassy grain and then a touch of sweet grain hits my nose. The beer pours with a frothy, initially three-finger thick, pale tan colored head. The beer is a rich gold hue that shows a bright, full gold color when held up to the light. The nose has a touch of fruitiness to it that reminds me just a bit of brandy, green apples, unripe melon and perhaps a touch of something like cucumber. The before mentioned grassy grain notes are noticeable towards the end as is a crushed saltine cracker like aroma. Not overly characterful in the aroma department, this is a bit bland for the type of Belgian-styled beer that I prefer, but it is within the bounds of commercial Belgian examples (especially from the bigger breweries).

Sweet flavors of fruit, malt and alcohol lead the way. There is a bit of clove in the middle and a touch of hot alcohol to the finish. The fruit flavors are a mix of sweet green apples, watermelon rind, and lightly tart green grapes. While this has a only slight heft to it, one that I typically look for in Belgian interpretations, this comes off somehow as thin, which I think is more because the flavors seem a bit bland somehow. Bland may be the wrong description though as there are definitely some characterizing flavors here, it is perhaps more apt to say that this doesn't have the finesse & edge to it that is needed to make this a balanced, characterful brew. A touch of honey-like malt sweetness and a faint grassy grain character, mixed with a light pale-malt biscuit note both of which tend to linger a bit in the finish.

Not a bad beer, but for some reason just doesn't seem to work for me. I am looking for a bit more character and finesse to make this really good. Somehow this just seems to taste a bit too much like cheap malt liquor.
Sep 18, 2008
Photo of lowbrau
Reviewed by lowbrau from Wisconsin

3.44/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Appearance: Pale gold color with a thin head. Many tiny streams of bubbles and a small bit of sediment.

Smell: Characteristic Belgian yeast spiciness. Clove and citrus notes. Sharp and estery.

Taste: Slightly pale taste, but well balanced. The alcohol was very noticeable in the finish. Finishes clean, but slightly watery.

Mouthfeel: Nothing remarkable here. Carbonation seemed a little high. The finish was so clean I almost didn't know I was drinking it.

Drinkability: It's very clean and smooth, but I can see getting tired of it fairly quickly.
Sep 09, 2008
Photo of Rennpferd
Reviewed by Rennpferd from Wisconsin

4.1/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
It poured clear and pale yellow with a massive four finger head that almost over-ran the lip of the glass. The head retreated and left very nice lacing around the edges of the glass.

A slightly bitter and spicey aroma was apparent.

An initial well balanced taste of malt and hops that quickly is replaced with a mild spicey finish. Smooth and slightly watery. A light body.

It's pretty good to drink. This could be a good session beer.
Sep 07, 2008
Photo of DefenCorps
Reviewed by DefenCorps from Oregon

3.82/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
12oz bottle received from maximum12 in the Summer Beer BIF. Thanks Corey! Poured into my Duvel tulip

A: Gorgeous golden pour with a thin white head that recedes rather quickly to a disk. Retention could be better for the low ABV

S: Smells pretty good with black pepper, rose and honey. There's a hint of bubblegum too

T: Simple and good, the flavors on palate replicate the nose. Dry spiciness on the finish. There's a mildly metallic taste somewhere in the middle and that detracts from a wonderful beer.

M: Light in body, dry in finish, great carbonation - all round great beer until the metallic flavor kicks in. The finish could be a little spicier too

D: This one is disappearing in less time than it takes to heat a TV dinner.
Sep 05, 2008
Photo of wheatyweiss
Reviewed by wheatyweiss from Wisconsin

4.05/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours a medium straw with an impressive head that linger and leaves sticky lace all around.

Smell is of burnt grains and lightly roasted caramel.

Flavor is wheat grains, crystal malt and sour yeast. Like a wheat saison. There is a mild banana and clove flavor reminiscent of a wheat. The roast on the malt is very apparent. There is a sharp edge to it that lingers.

Excellent beer, I like it.
Aug 30, 2008
Photo of emerge077
Reviewed by emerge077 from Illinois

3.08/5  rDev -14%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Pale gold body, fizzy swarm of bubbles when swirled. Minor bits of lace, it maintains a broken skim across the surface.

Grainy aroma at first, that picks up some sweetness and begins to resemble apple jacks cereal. "Beery" and a little bit phenolic. Definitely not getting any Belgian character.

Sweet and dry, with a papery malt and apple jacks cereal flavor. Phenolic and slightly gassy feeling. Didn't want another one, glad the six pack is gone.
Aug 27, 2008
Photo of Bighuge
Reviewed by Bighuge from Minnesota

3.67/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Deep golden. Pretty clear body. Cap is snow white. Leaves sporadic lace. Aroma's biscuity and toasty with a little belgian yeast character as well. Spicy belgian yeast notes hit the palate first. A little pepper and a little ethanol as well. The base is built by biscuity malt tones. Slight phenolic undertones to this beer. Full bodied and moderately carbonated. Not one of their better offerings. A bit of advice for Capital: Stick to German beers. You are awesome at them. Stay away from Belgian beers. German beers, not Belgian.
Aug 21, 2008
Photo of Slynger
Reviewed by Slynger from Illinois

3.53/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Clear golden color with a slight orange hue and a cap of fine off-white fuzz.

It's sweet and spicy, candi sugary with peppery-cloviness and lightly yeasty and fruity. Fuzzy-tingly, lightly sharp medium.

Not bad, but a sixer will definitely be sufficient.
Aug 11, 2008
Photo of steveh
Reviewed by steveh from Illinois

4.3/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
While the label calls this a "Belgian Golden Ale," I found the characteristics closer to a Belgian Blonde Ale than a Belgian Golden Strong Ale (the ABV supports this too).

A -- Clear, deep golden in color with a finely bubbled white head that settles slowly.

S -- Spicy alcohol followed by mellow, sweet malts. Mild DMS in nose belying the Pils malt used. Honey notes and sugar sweetness near to caramel.

T -- Mellow, sweet malts combined with graininess and a honey sweetness. Alcohol notes and mild citrus character that suggest pear or tart green apple, but not in the fault direction. Honey character back with a spicy finish from hops.

M -- Light, soft body with a spritzy mouth-feel. Vaguely syrupy, no doubt from the use of candy sugar.

D -- Drinkability is too much so, for a 6.7% beer! Very smooth.
Aug 11, 2008
Photo of scruffwhor
Reviewed by scruffwhor from Illinois

3.62/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a pilsnery, clea yellow with a slight amber twinge to it. Small slow bubbles slowly rise to the top of the beer. Very quick head at the top ofthis brew with light white rig of foam. The aroma has a sugary grass note. Almost like a combination of pilsner and a light pale Belgian ale. Makes me think more of a pilsner with some candi sugar sweetness of a Belgian ale. Very easy palate and a good after work beer that has a sneaky abv.
Aug 01, 2008
Photo of Derek
Reviewed by Derek from Canada (BC)

4/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
At 6.7%, this is really just a Belgian Pale Ale and I'll review it as such (though I think "Belgian Blonde" could be a legitimate style).

A: Gold with a white head, some retention & lacing.

S: Pleasant spicing, floral hops, citrus rind, biscuity malt & hints of metallic minerals.

T: Smooth biscuity malt (I really like the malt this brewery uses); marmalade; pleasant spicyness from the yeast (though it's not overly Belgian), hints of candied fruit & Jaggery sugar. Balanced bitterness & the alcohol is subtle.

M: Moderate body is smooth with a prickly carbonation & an off-dry finish (Belgian's are typically attenuated a little more).

D: Quite drinkable.

Brewers info:

Summer Seasonal 2008 - This is Belgian Blonde ale has a unique, spicy flavor. It is moderate in body. Kirby has used nearly 300 pounds of sugar to boost the strength to an ABV of 6.7%.

Available June-July 2008.
Jul 31, 2008
Photo of ZAP
Reviewed by ZAP from Minnesota

3.94/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A-Peach colored...small white head

S-Fruity with spicy notes. wide range of fruits including pears, mangos, and papaya's along with nectarines and peaches....also a peppery spiciness. Very nice...maltiness lacks typical Belgian qualities...

T-Enjoyable flavor to this...nice mix of fruitiness and spiciness...fruits seem to have narrowed down to pears and nectarines with perhaps some mild mango...peppery spiciness compliments..

M-Medium bodied but lacks carbonation and seems a little light in the shorts for the style.

D-This is a pretty good...I enjoyed it. Not a world classic but well worth drinking...
Jul 16, 2008
Photo of ibashmuck
Reviewed by ibashmuck from Wisconsin

3.4/5  rDev -5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Purchased as part of "build-your-own-six-pack" at local grocer. Thick medium head on a "standard" beer gold/yellow. Hints of fruit and florals come through in the smell. They were almost non-existent in the taste, however. Very faint. Came across as rather boring, unremarkable. Initial bite on the tongue, but gets better as it warms. Actually tasted like a standard macro brewed lager. I expected more, may have to try another.
Jul 12, 2008
Photo of shbobdb
Reviewed by shbobdb from Indiana

3.26/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
I was visiting the Terrace, ahhh, what a place. One of the finest places in the world, actually. So I blind ordered the Capital seasonal -- after all, I am in Wisconsin and I like Capital Brewery.

I wasn't sure what to make of this beer as I drank it. Belgian pils is very different from German pils, but they clearly used German pils here (no surprise, given that they are a German-style brewery). So as I was drinking this beer, I thought it was a Maibock that had been fermented with a tutti-frutti lager strain akin to the Heinie lager yeast.

That was my first impression anyway. As the pitcher warmed and I drank it, I started to think maybe it was a Damfbier, that is, a weizen with no wheat. There was an unmistakable yeast presence.

As it warmed, I put my money on a saison, or something similar. The esters commonly associated with Belgian beers became unmistakeable. But they mingled surprisingly poorly with the sulfurous German pils, creating a rather Franken-beer like impression.

Not one of Capital's best. Not a bad Belgian Strong Pale, but there are so many better Belgian Pales, why bother? On top of that the German malts. . . they just don't work. I wanted this beer to be more Germanic as I drank it and I imagine a Belgiophile would want it to be more Belgian.

Didn't twist my nipples.
Jul 05, 2008
Photo of tavernjef
Reviewed by tavernjef from Minnesota

3.88/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Picked up as a mixer sixer at Cellar's Roseville: Clearish bolder yellowy gold color with a good amount of bubbles keeping an activity of streams. A thin whitish capping of firm, somewhat crunchy foam sits a top breifly before fading to a constant skim and a firm collar. Some lacing in broken spots and sheets are displayed on the glass.

Aroma is somewhat flat and dullish with slight yeasty notes of citrusy spice, corriander, and doughy sugars. A bit of pear and melon round off its fruity side within each wiff as it warms.

Taste is much like what the aroma lends itself to as its somewhat dullishly sweet, yet paled and drying with a doughy center flaking off into a melony drying citrus tone all the while keeping its yeasty spice and slightly snappy bite. Poofs of clove, corriander, and lemon peels keep it interesting.

Feel is pretty good with a good amount of mediumish character in each sip. Lots of changing little nuances from sweetish, to drying, to spicy, to bready, to dry and spicy again. Firm on the lips, rounded on the tongue, pale and tangyish in the mouth, and dry and spicy everywhere else as it finishes.

A suprise to be sure from Capital as I thought this was going to be somekind of Begian take on a lager. But nope, it hits the style of Belgian Pale with a twist of what I think Capital would make. And thusly, a pretty decent effort to go off their regular routine and try an expansion of brewing styles like this. Good enough for some summery drinkin' no doubt.
Jul 04, 2008
Prairie Gold from Capital Brewery
Beer rating: 83 out of 100 with 26 ratings