Apple Brandy BOMB!
Prairie Artisan Ales

 

I know about the infection, still trying anyway.

From a 12 oz. bottle into a PAA apple brandy bomb glass, this beer pours out silky black. It forms a pinky worth of caramel colored bubbles that settle into a ring around the glass.

It surprisingly doesn’t smell off, like at all.... a lot of roasty coffee and silky chocolate with faint presence of green, vegetal peppers. Smells like the bomb I love....

The taste brings the cherries. But honestly, it’s still not that bad. Just think Bomb with cherries and apple.

Sticky mouthfeel, somewhat tart from the lacto.

Overall, it’s surprised me how bad this wasn’t, for being infected. Can’t imagine what this would’ve been. If you like dark sours, and run across this, just give it a try.

Never ones to rest on their spicy, java, creamy, chocolatey laurels, Prairie takes another stab at the version of Bomb! that slumbers in a apple brandy barrel cocoon. While there seems to be no end to the complexities that they continually roll into their stouts, their infatuation with these barrels are as marvelous as they are curious.

Expectedly jet black, Apple Brandy Bomb! carries the density of ink and oil. It's light mocha stained trickle rises to the rim of the snifter before falling ominously still. Strongly roasty in aroma, the nose is chocked full of espresso, roasted walnut, cocoa and burnt molasses. Those fortified cider and brandy scents tease and taunt the senses and nearly mask the nuances of smoke, chili peppers or vanilla. But then the flavors explode with malt decadence as the early palate dials into those scorched sugars, chocolate, latte and molasses.

The middle palate develops into a malty dry roastiness that's laced with bitter espresso, cocoa, walnut and burnt cream which all round into a robust smoky chocolate flavor. Its sweetness remains supportive, trying hard to steal the show before trending fruitier with a bursting apple cider overtone and more subtle cherry, blackcurrant, raisins and a touch of licorice spice. A mild and simmering capsaicin warmth weaves into the fortified apple wine for a unique brandy spice on the late palate.

Undoubtedly full bodied, the ale is rich, dense and chewy with malt. A slow fade into whisky and pepper froth, acts as a balancing agent to the enormity of brownie batter, milkshake consistency and its vanilla cream, marshmallow textures. Prairie has once again knocked this one out of the park. Each sip delivers a new flavor, a new experience, and new complexion to the beer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Drink it before it goes sour. Apparently this one was infected; however, there is no sign at this point. Very dark appearance with slight tan head. Aroma is a very pleasant slightly sweet coffee and brandy. Taste is a nice brandy and coffee with a little alcohol bite. It would be better aged for a year but with the report of infection, waiting is not an option.

L: Dark mocha hues with a thin rusty head and ample lacing
S: Blast of peppers on the nose with hints of coffee and barrel
T: Hits all the right notes - slightly spicy with a rich base of vanilla/dark chocolate that's rounded out by a smooth coffee and candy apple note
F: Medium-bodied with moderate carb
O: Glad I got to try this before it turned from infection. I've been eagerly awaiting for Prairie to put Bomb! in apple brandy barrels and this one did not disappoint. Bold flavors that were expertly mixed with a nice pepper heat and rounded out by the barrel aging. Hope they make this one again.