Year of New Beer: Pirate Noir, Prairie Artisan Ales (OK)

Written By: Dion on 12/15/2016

With 20+ years of drinking "different" beers, it's easy to lose interest from time to time. Then along comes a beer that demands your attention from the minute it strikes your nose until the last drops are extracted from the glass. Rich, velvety smooth chocolate melts into roasted coffee bean, brown sugar and caramel, as notes of vanilla and peppery spice expand with warmth. On the tongue, a sweet, viscous layer coats the taste buds with a sweetness that comes in waves. Chocolate and caramel are countered by a gentle rum-fueled alcohol burn. Slightly woody with traces of smoke and spice, and even a hint of what comes off as coconut. This is ridiculously smooth and delicious. I'd have to review to be sure, but this is probably Top 10 of 2016 for me.