PranQster

North Coast Brewing Company, Fort Bragg, CA

ABV: 7.6% (Alcohol By Volume)
IBU: 20 (International Bitterness Unit)

Kick ass! It's Friday and I have plans to drink beer now and tomorrow! Just hanging out tonight after a long week of work. You know... resting up for a holiday beer tasting at The Gingerman. It ought to be a good time. But that is neither here nor there. What's on my plate right now is a Belgian style golden ale from North Coast Brewing company called, "Pranqster".

Yeah, I'll admit it... I've wanted to try this simply because of the sweet spelling and the awesome mural of a bunch of old fat guys sitting around drinking beer. If only I had aspirations! It does also claim to be a Belgian Style Golden Ale (alert: Duvel and Leffe Blonde fans)! Let's get down to it. P.S. Screw you Central Market for having such an awesome beer selection.

Pranqster pours a rich deep golden color. Conveniently the bottle conditioning yeast are nicely settled and stay nested at the bottom of the bottle. I'm liking that I don't have to worry about dumping it into my glass. The head is white, weak, and short lived. In my opinion I am okay with that. Heads are over rated!

The smell coming out of the glass just screams Belgian golden ale! It seems that some of the folks up at Fort Bragg may know what they are doing. This beer has a flowery nose that is very reminisce of those traditional ales such as Duvel and Leffe Blonde.

True to form the taste is bready and biting with a nutty undertone. You're left with almost the sensation of wanting to chew. Is that a pleasant sensation you wonder? It sure is especially when its followed by a crisp, clean, and refreshing finish that preps your pallet for a bite of food or another swig of this fine brew.

If I had to point out anything wrong with this beer it would be that it might be slightly over carbonated and that it tastes somewhat... American? It tastes delicious... but as I have become accustomed to the imported bottle conditioned Belgians, I feel like this one is too crisp, it's too refreshing, it's finish is too clean... it may almost be over engineered.

If you're looking for a great tasting Belgian Style beer that you can get at a reasonable price then this is definitely the beer for you. It's probably the best American stab at the style that I have had to date. I'm happy with the purchase and I won't hesitate to get it again. Enjoy, and happy drinking!

DRU: 92/100 (Dan's Rating Unit)