Prairie Artisan Ales - Prairie Standard

For the Eighth Beer of Christmas, we were drinking on Tulsa Time.

Prairie Artisan Ales
Prairie Standard

Or if you're a little more rock n roll, maybe you'd prefer this Sheryl Crow & Eric Clapton version.

This was another beer with a quick forming head that had me sipping it to prevent an overflow during picture time. Pure white, the big bubbles formed quickly and left chunky lacing as I drank it. If you pour the beer quickly, it's a clear, pale gold. However, they've left lots of great yeast in the bottom of the bottle. When you get it about 3/4's poured, stop and give the bottle a big swirl to pick up that yeast and then pour it in.* That will turn your clear beer cloudy and give you lots of little floaters. That's just extra flavor ... enjoy!

The aroma is full of lime with pepper and star anise. I couldn't put a name on that last one until Lisa opened up the spice cabinet and made me smell different things. Word of caution ... don't inhale too deeply when you're smelling a container of star anise.

Rather than lime, I tasted lemon zest as a major part of the beer. It's starts out lightly sweet, carries a wash of white pepper as most of the spiciness, and then finish with a bitter lemon zest. With a light body and crisp, effervescent sensation with each drink, don't be surprised when you're opening a second just before you finish your first.

This is a highly drinkable beer and the brewery is on my must visit list for my next trip to Tulsa.


Stats
Brewer: Prairie Artisan Ales
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Website: http://www.PrairieAles.com/
Style: Saison / Farmhouse Ale
Alcohol Content: 5.20% ABV
Interesting Note: At just over 3 years old, Prairie is pretty young. Until two years ago, they borrowed brewing time at Choc Beers in Krebs, Oklahoma. As near as I can tell from my searching, Choc Beer is brewed a Pete's Place, an Italian restaurant and brew pub. This is on my "to visit" list, too.

* For most of my homebrewed beers, I tend to avoid the "stuff" in the bottom of the bottle. However, if a professional brewer leaves something in the bottle, it's meant to be swirled up into suspension and enjoyed.