North Coast PranQster Belgian

Brewed by North Coast Brewing Company
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Fort Bragg, California USA

Very clear, bright yellow look with a foamy, pillowy head. No carbonation. It looks thin and see-through for its style. There is a smattering of lace. The smell is of a spicy Belgian ale nature. Some bitterish hops. It’s a golden Belgian ale mixed with a bitter pilsner. Some nice spicy citrus comes out with some agitation. Practically bubbles in the nose. Flavor continues the sweet Belgian tradition, again with some bittery pilsner hops. Matches the smell to a tee. Has a combination of spicy Belgian, spicy orange, bitter hops and a pungent fizzy flavor. Feels fizzy and thick. Warm like whiskey on the way down. It’s a sipper because of its thick, creamy fizzyness. Has a decent bitter/spicy combination. It’s really not my thing, but good enough.

North Coast Pranqster is a cloudy golden ale with some particles in it. It has a thin off white head that leaves sheets of lacing on the glass. It has a citrusy aroma. It has a note of lemon and something funky and leathery. It kind of smells like a new car. It has a very bubbly medium body with a chewy finish. It tastes like leather and lemon with a botanical bitterness with notes of juniper and phenol. It has good balance and it tastes very belgian.

12 oz bottle. Pours a vibrant golden yellow, it almost glows in the glass. The head is just off white. Very smooth beer, sweet flavors throughout. This is not to say that it is too sweet, there is also a really nice bitter finish. The ABV is extremely well hidden, and the balance is fantastic. The mouthfeel is refreshing, not too carbonated and light without tasting thin. It’s a great beer, I’d strongly recommend it.

Pours a hazy yellow with a medium head that vanishes rather quickly. Not much aroma; musty with sour fruits. Not much flavor eaither; some caramel and pears with a hint of alcohol. Lacks the complevity of a truly good Belgian ale. Not very impressive at all.

12 oz bottle served in a tulip. Pour is a deep, hazy gold with a one finger of slightly off-white head. Nose is Belgian yeast and pears. Taste is the same with a bitter finish. This is a quite mellow brew with lovely sweet pears throughout. It doesn’t come off too sweet either, which would be a turn off in this particular beer.

750ml bottle from bevmo. Pours a cloudy dark yellow wit a small white head. The aroma is soft with dust and earthy notes accompanied by some pears and Belgian yeast. The flavor is rich with musty grapes, pears, Vadalia onions, sweet rock candy, bread yeast, and honey biscuit. The mouthfeel is full, smooth and malty, with lively carbonation. The finish is short and dry. A very pleasant and sessionable Belgian that makes a good summer quaff.

Head dissappeared on this one all too quickly. Liquid is a nice color though, golden red. Doesn’t quite stack up with the beer that it is imitiating on this front. Aroma is very subdued, bready/yeasty, a tad fruity. Taste is clovey, slightly spicy. Not bad and a pretty good imitation, though not quite as complex or balanced as it’s belgian counterparts. Surprisingly hot for the medium ABV>

Draft. Golden with thin white head. Nice sour yeast aroma, taste of sour yeast and wheat. Decent belgian.