Prairie Ales Bomb!
It seems as though more and more established breweries are finally starting to make their presence known in the northern Virginia area. I feel as though I’ve lead off a several reviews the past few months with some sort of note saying as much. Well, Bomb! is my introduction to Prairie Artisan Ales and the first of their products that I’ve encountered on my local shelves.
This imperial stout (13% ABV, 65 IBU) is brewed with coffee, chocolate, vanilla bean, and ancho chili peppers. The coffee and chocolate dominate both the aroma and flavor profile, but still allow the vanilla and peppers to show through at appropriate levels. The full-bodied and rich stout is surprisingly smooth for as big as it is — it never reaches cloying or decadent levels all the while presenting a dynamic array of flavors. I personally want a bit more heat from the ancho peppers, but their presence still works wonderfully here, offering a hint of chili warmth late after each swallow.
Bomb! is a heck of an imperial stout. The flavors and overall experience make for an excellent first encounter with the company. I’m a big fan of the smoothness that the big beer offers with each sip. It could have very well dove into decadence, but the roastiness and earthy edge kept it from becoming overly cloying. I can’t wait for more Prairie products to make there way into my beer fridge in, I hope, the near future.