Beer Wasteland (Rum Barrel)
Prairie Artisan Ales

 

 

 

A little too much rum barrel but the flavor is nice..... Just needs more balance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

prairie is at their best when making interesting funky beers, or enormous intriguing dark beers. this strong ale world is weird for them. i havent loved a few others that moved in this direction, and i dont love this one. although i will say its pretty tasty, its definitely up to the high standard they set with the rest of their releases. deep caramel to copper color with a creamy tan head. a nose of exposed strong alcohol, a little spice from the rum, but mostly rich sweet grain. flavors of molasses and caramel malt, sticky sweet, exacerbated by the rum, which to me adds an unnecessary layer of sugar to an already sweet beer. instead of bringing it together, mellowing the booze, and integrating the flavors of the grain, i feel like its distracting. chewy texture but still nice carbonation. yeast character is minimal, unlike other prairie beers, thats for sure. i mean, this is tasty and well made, but far less unique and compelling than their other beer. i wonder if folks will just rave this up because of who made it. it didnt blow my mind.