Barrel-Aged Birthday Bomb!
Prairie Artisan Ales


Beer Geek Stats:
| Print Shelf Talker
- Style:
- Stout - American Imperial
Ranked #121 - ABV:
- 14.7%
- Score:
- 97
Ranked #507 - Avg:
- 4.43 | pDev: 4.97%
- Reviews:
- 55
- Ratings:
- From:
- Prairie Artisan Ales
- Oklahoma, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating/Seasonal
- Wants
- 7
- Gots
- 20
SCORE
97
World-Class
97
World-Class


Notes:
Imperial stout brewed with cacao nibs, chili peppers, coffee, vanilla beans, caramel sauce, and toffee that has been aged in bourbon barrels
Reviews: 55
| Ratings: 218
| Log in to view all ratings and sort
Reviews by travolta:
travolta from California
4.29/5 rDev -3.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.25
Appearance: Super dark strong coffee color. The head is very minimal with minimal retention and no lacing. Head was a dark brown color.
Nose: Caramel, raisin, burnt sugar, alcohol.
Taste: Wonderful mouthfeel with some spice and clove in the middle. A tiny bit of alcohol heat in the middle and at the end. Very well balanced. The finish is dark chocolate and cold coffee. Bourbon or vanilla up front. Finish has dry cocoa nibs.
Notes: Having this on Nina's 33rd birthday.
Nov 22, 2019
4.29/5 rDev -3.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.25
Appearance: Super dark strong coffee color. The head is very minimal with minimal retention and no lacing. Head was a dark brown color.
Nose: Caramel, raisin, burnt sugar, alcohol.
Taste: Wonderful mouthfeel with some spice and clove in the middle. A tiny bit of alcohol heat in the middle and at the end. Very well balanced. The finish is dark chocolate and cold coffee. Bourbon or vanilla up front. Finish has dry cocoa nibs.
Notes: Having this on Nina's 33rd birthday.
Nov 22, 2019
More User Reviews:
Gagnonsux from Texas
4.44/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Nov 07, 2019
4.44/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Nov 07, 2019
vrbulldog22 from Ohio
4.18/5 rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Aug 27, 2019
4.18/5 rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Aug 27, 2019
q33jeff from New Jersey
4.53/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
08/04/19
Bottles to snifters; side by side of 2018 Birthday Bomb, 2019, Birthday Bomb and 2019 BA Birthday Bomb. Indeed, Happy Birthday to Me!
Mostly comparing the 2 2019's here. The BA has a bit more heat, but not a ton. Bottling date is 6/4, so 2 months old. I a have 2 others to age (probably next years Birthday). The regular Birthdya Bomb has some heat anyway from the spice, so hard to pick out what is from BA and what is from pepper and cinnamon.
Chocolate and Vanilla, Whiskey and wood, Cinnamon and Pepper. Lots to love here.
All things said, the BA version seems to be a little smoother and more balanced despite some heat from the whisey barrel.
**
**
Aug 04, 2019
4.53/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
08/04/19
Bottles to snifters; side by side of 2018 Birthday Bomb, 2019, Birthday Bomb and 2019 BA Birthday Bomb. Indeed, Happy Birthday to Me!
Mostly comparing the 2 2019's here. The BA has a bit more heat, but not a ton. Bottling date is 6/4, so 2 months old. I a have 2 others to age (probably next years Birthday). The regular Birthdya Bomb has some heat anyway from the spice, so hard to pick out what is from BA and what is from pepper and cinnamon.
Chocolate and Vanilla, Whiskey and wood, Cinnamon and Pepper. Lots to love here.
All things said, the BA version seems to be a little smoother and more balanced despite some heat from the whisey barrel.
**
**
Aug 04, 2019
aatazebeats from Texas
3.93/5 rDev -11.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Jan 24, 2020
3.93/5 rDev -11.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Jan 24, 2020
curlybird from Pennsylvania
4.08/5 rDev -7.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Jul 30, 2019
4.08/5 rDev -7.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Jul 30, 2019
jcoleMA66 from Massachusetts
4.53/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Jan 06, 2020
4.53/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Jan 06, 2020
dubnation from Kansas
4.59/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Sep 08, 2019
4.59/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Sep 08, 2019
Radcpa from Washington
4.48/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Very dark appearance with slight tan head that dissipates quickly. Aroma is a peppery spice. Taste is a slightly sweet with peppers that is a great blend.
Jun 12, 2019
4.48/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Very dark appearance with slight tan head that dissipates quickly. Aroma is a peppery spice. Taste is a slightly sweet with peppers that is a great blend.
Jun 12, 2019
tobelerone from New Jersey
4.37/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
May 11, 2020
4.37/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
May 11, 2020
ruzzal from Texas
4.64/5 rDev +4.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Jul 08, 2019
4.64/5 rDev +4.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Jul 08, 2019
WebbFlyer from Minnesota
4.66/5 rDev +5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours a dark, oil black
Nose carries big notes of toffee and dark chocolate with slight hints of pepper
Palate carries chocolate and toffee, with quite a bit of sweetness. Not a ton of heat, but a little on the back end
I didn’t get a lot of Barrel on this, but still very well rounded and delicious. Another great BOMB from Prairie
Aug 13, 2019
4.66/5 rDev +5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours a dark, oil black
Nose carries big notes of toffee and dark chocolate with slight hints of pepper
Palate carries chocolate and toffee, with quite a bit of sweetness. Not a ton of heat, but a little on the back end
I didn’t get a lot of Barrel on this, but still very well rounded and delicious. Another great BOMB from Prairie
Aug 13, 2019
Sirnickatnite from Texas
4.56/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Jul 19, 2019
4.56/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Jul 19, 2019
Dharmelink from Wisconsin
4.15/5 rDev -6.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Jul 10, 2019
4.15/5 rDev -6.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Jul 10, 2019
Patches826 from Massachusetts
4.5/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
May 04, 2020
4.5/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
May 04, 2020
emyers from Illinois
4.53/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
12 oz. bottle poured into a teku glass.
Black with a thin mocha brown head.
Nose: Complex - Chile, cocoa, and coffee up front. Bourbon barrel is also very present.
Taste: Similar to the nose. Strong bourbon/vanilla presence along with the chocolate/chile combo. Exceptional. Finishes sweet (which you could guess from the birthday cake description) with mild lingering heat from the chiles.
Feel: Exceptionally smooth, rich, low carbonation.
Nov 12, 2019
4.53/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
12 oz. bottle poured into a teku glass.
Black with a thin mocha brown head.
Nose: Complex - Chile, cocoa, and coffee up front. Bourbon barrel is also very present.
Taste: Similar to the nose. Strong bourbon/vanilla presence along with the chocolate/chile combo. Exceptional. Finishes sweet (which you could guess from the birthday cake description) with mild lingering heat from the chiles.
Feel: Exceptionally smooth, rich, low carbonation.
Nov 12, 2019
Beersnake1 from California
4.7/5 rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Poured from fridge temp. Pours motor oil black with nice dark brown head. Nose is dark chocolate, bourbon, wood, licorice, lactose, and roasted malts. Taste is out of this world. Dark coffee, chocolate, fudge, caramel, milk, bourbon, black licorice, toffee, and chocolate covered cherries all come through. Wow. Mouthfeel is insanely thick and creamy. Overall, one of the best BA stouts I have had.
Jul 25, 2019
4.7/5 rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Poured from fridge temp. Pours motor oil black with nice dark brown head. Nose is dark chocolate, bourbon, wood, licorice, lactose, and roasted malts. Taste is out of this world. Dark coffee, chocolate, fudge, caramel, milk, bourbon, black licorice, toffee, and chocolate covered cherries all come through. Wow. Mouthfeel is insanely thick and creamy. Overall, one of the best BA stouts I have had.
Jul 25, 2019
AyatollahGold from Indiana
4.34/5 rDev -2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
From a 12 oz. bottle into a PAA Dino glass, this beer pours out pitch black and forms a finger worth of caramel colored crown. Dissipates to a thick ring attached to the glass. 4.5
The nose carries huge toffee, followed by caramel, chocolate with slight pepper presence throughout. Dark fruit is in the background; chocolate covered. 4.5
The taste is very good and follows the nose. It has loads of chocolate. Dark fruit covered chocolate. The toffee and caramel are both evident. But the barrel tames the peppers, which I always dislike about barrel aged bomb variants. They are there, but as a distant memory. No real pepper tingle, more of just the green vegetal pepper notes. Coffee is in there as well, as a roasty finish.
The sweetness is still more present than the barrel. The barrel does offer a touch of dry effect, but does take away from the pepper tingle. The barrel still just can’t compete with the sweetness that is coming from the loads of chocolate, vanilla, caramel sauce & toffee that I’m getting in this. Super smooth tho, with no warmth and incredibly balanced.
Aug 07, 2019
4.34/5 rDev -2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
From a 12 oz. bottle into a PAA Dino glass, this beer pours out pitch black and forms a finger worth of caramel colored crown. Dissipates to a thick ring attached to the glass. 4.5
The nose carries huge toffee, followed by caramel, chocolate with slight pepper presence throughout. Dark fruit is in the background; chocolate covered. 4.5
The taste is very good and follows the nose. It has loads of chocolate. Dark fruit covered chocolate. The toffee and caramel are both evident. But the barrel tames the peppers, which I always dislike about barrel aged bomb variants. They are there, but as a distant memory. No real pepper tingle, more of just the green vegetal pepper notes. Coffee is in there as well, as a roasty finish.
The sweetness is still more present than the barrel. The barrel does offer a touch of dry effect, but does take away from the pepper tingle. The barrel still just can’t compete with the sweetness that is coming from the loads of chocolate, vanilla, caramel sauce & toffee that I’m getting in this. Super smooth tho, with no warmth and incredibly balanced.
Aug 07, 2019
Run4theRoses from South Carolina
4.48/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Jul 10, 2019
4.48/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Jul 10, 2019
kjkinsey from Texas
4.5/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Jul 14, 2019
4.5/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Jul 14, 2019
Unclevince from West Virginia
4.48/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Dec 07, 2019
4.48/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Dec 07, 2019
Tracker83 from Michigan
4.33/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Aug 04, 2019
4.33/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Aug 04, 2019
BAsbill from California
4.37/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
May 26, 2020
4.37/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
May 26, 2020
Texasfan549 from Texas
4.62/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Jul 12, 2019
4.62/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Jul 12, 2019
Wisconsin_IPA_Lover from Wisconsin
4.71/5 rDev +6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Nov 20, 2019
4.71/5 rDev +6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Nov 20, 2019
Barrel-Aged Birthday Bomb! from Prairie Artisan Ales
Beer rating:
97 out of
100 with
218 ratings
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