Prairie Artisan Ales BOMB!

When I was in college I thought the idea of paying 10 dollars for a 12 oz. bottle of beer would have been as ridiculous as it was irresponsible. At that time spending 10 dollars on beer meant buying a 6 pack of Sierra Nevada, Heineken or Sam Adams. And after purchasing one of those, I would spend an evening feeling like I was drinking like a king. This all changed the first time I saw Dogfish Head 120 minute IPA. I was shocked at how expensive it was but nevertheless intrigued by how fast it would fly off the shelves. What made things even worse for my bank account was how delicious it was. Fast forward a number of years later, and I still find the idea of paying 10 dollars a bottle ridiculous. But I, like many others are guilty of trying to find those rare high end beers that come to town. One of those high end rare beers is Prairie Artisan Ales BOMB! and recently I was able to find a bottle. So what better way to kick off a new year of reviews then reviewing one of the more complex beers I have ever had?

Prairie Artisan Ales BOMB! is an imperial stout that pours a rich, thick black with a dark brown head that does not stick around long. The aroma is very heavy on coffee and roasted malt; as well as sweetness from chocolate and vanilla with a hint of spice. Because this beer was 13% ABV I knew I was going to be working on it awhile and I had no issue savoring every last complex drop. Upon initial tasting I was flooded with the flavor of coffee with a slightly spicy finish. As BOMB! began to warm the flavor of chocolate and vanilla became more noticeable. It got to a point where the delightful flavor of chocolate seemed to move to the forefront, with coffee becoming a complimentary flavor. The spice of the chili peppers also seemed to disappear altogether as the beer warmed. This was about the only thing I can say I was disappointed by. I really wanted to see more spice, but after experiencing such a flavorful beer it does feel like nitpicking.

Overall I was very impressed with Prairie Artisan Ales BOMB! It was full of flavor and the 13% ABV was hidden quite well but not altogether. As I was making my way through the glass I knew I was drinking something quite strong. While the price tag is high I think it is a worthwhile one-time purchase. It could be interesting to have it once yearly to see how the beer, as well as your palette evolves, but there are cheaper and easier to find beers for that.

Overall I'd rate Prairie Artisan Ales BOMB! A 4.75/5. It's a fantastic, complex beer that lives up to its hype and reputation.

Rating Scale:
1 - Repugnant and undrinkable
2 - Acceptable but forgettable
3 - Good, worth a purchase
4 - Excellent, a step above the norm
5 - Truly exceptional　

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Thanks for reading. Sláinte!