Hark the herald angels sing, beer geeks in Oklahoma now have an annual tradition. It’s the release of Christmas Bomb! Act fast, word is that this batch is much, MUCH more limited than last year. Definitely a more balanced beer than last year, I hope Prairie continues to dial this one in so that it can join the greatest of its Bomb! and Pirate Bomb! brothers.

Company: Prairie Artisan Ales

Location: Tulsa, OK. Brewed in Krebs, OK

ABV: 11%

Style/Description: Imperial Stout Brewed With Spices

Price: $8 (12oz bottle)

Appearance: Black, inky pour like motor oil and espresso. Frail tight tan head that dissipates quickly.

Nose: Sweet chocolate and coffee aroma with plenty of cinnamon and spice. Boozy!

Taste: Roasty coffee and bitter dark chocolate dominate with a ton of spice. Cinnamon, anise, grains of paradise and of course some chili pepper on the back. Very light on the heat, if I didn’t know it was in there I would assume it was the mild warmness of the booze. Very sweet, thick mouth, low carb. Spices ease up a little bit as it warms, leaving even more chocolate and sugar. Definitely tastes like Christmas is coming, like a snickerdoodle cookie dunked in a Pumpkin Spice latte!

Finish: Long boozy finish, with a spicy chocolatey flavor coating the mouth.

Overall: An intense brew, there are so many flavors going on with this thing. This batch is definitely more balanced that last year. Still inferior to regular Bomb! and (of course) Pirate Bomb!, but still a tasty dessert to usher in the holiday season. I should probably get the Christmas lights down from the attic.

Rating: 4/5