One off Imperial Stout aged in Tequila barrels. It should be interesting to see what Prairie does with the tequila barrels, having only tried their draft only Tequila Barrel Aged Branson Jamboree in the past. I’m a little nervous. Be gentle, OK-Si.

Company: Prairie Artisan Ales

Location: Tulsa, OK. Brewed in Krebs, OK

ABV: 12%

Style/Description: Imperial Stout Aged In Tequila Barrels

Price: $9

Appearance: Pours like thick black coffee into a Prairie teku, a bit of brown on the edges where the light sneaks through. Light head and some lace, poured with minimal foam.

Nose: Very strange combination of citrusy tequila and the roasty booze of the stout. Somehow reminds me of the dessert at a Mexican restaurant that I never have room for. The tequila is way out in front on the aroma, I hope the stout can cut that a bit.

Taste: It’s all tequila barrel here. Big time agave and citrus overtake all but the bitterest coffee and dark chocolate notes. Let’s throw some buttery caramel flan notes in there. The tequila mellows out a bit as it warms up. Sweet chocolate and some oaky vanilla barrel character valiantly try to overtake the tequila.  They fail for the most part. Mouthfeel is quite light for 12%. Carb is rather low, but just about perfect.

Finish: Lingering tequila finish. Some roast and chocolate manage to stick around.

Overall: Tequila and I have had some good times. However, I think I’d rather keep my tequila in my margaritas and my stouts in whiskey or rum barrels. The tequila whacks you in the face at first, but does mellow as it warms up. An ambitious stab at this, but I won’t be stocking up on this one. The tequila really just jars my entire palate against the stout. I appreciate that Prairie is trying something unusual, but it isn’t for me.

Rating: 2/5