Matilda

Brewer: Goose Island Beer Company, Chicago, Illinois
Alcohol Content: 7%

Official Description from Brewer:
"Wild in character, with a slightly fruity aroma and a spicy yeast flavor that is as unique as it is satisfying – Matilda is an intriguing choice for beer and wine lovers alike. Dry and quenching, it’s the perfect accompaniment at the dining table or for casually socializing at the bar."

Wilk's Take:
I've been away from the game for a while and I forgot how to take a decent picture of a poured beer.  Shame on me for not adjusting the lighting to capture the true essence of Matilda in all her glory.  The fact is we had just finished a nice meal and I was pouring a little dessert beer for my brother and me, hence the two for one above, that I just decided on a whim to fly back to my creation and revive it.

Matilda is a wonderful beer.  After the cap comes off the bottle and the beer goes in the glass you can smell a beer that reminds you of Blue Moon.  Matilda is a Belgian Style Pale Ale so this scent is to be expected.  The color on the other hand was a little surprising.  Blue Moon is truly pale yellow and so cloudy you couldn't see your fingers on the other side of the glass.  Matilda is deep and rich and looks like a drop of red food coloring was let in to emanate throughout the bottle to give Matilda character.

The taste is definitely spicy.  Not overwhelming, but the coriander is evident from first sip and resonates throughout the glass.  Matilda goes down smoothly and the brew can disappear as soon as it is poured.  "Dry and quenching"?  Maybe, but I don't really see it.  As you move further down the glass there is a metallic after taste, almost as if you just put a penny in your mouth for five seconds.  It disappears and doesn't make the beer unappealing, but it can be a little off putting.

Realistically, Matilda is a Blue Moon that tastes better.  No need for the orange or lemon slice here as Matilda stands on its own.  Now, I can neither confirm nor deny the rumor that Matilda is going the way of the dodo.  Since ImBev took over Goose Island there is some suspicion that the whole of Goose's vintage ales are going to leave us.  Let's hope not for the craft beer sake.  Just because a brewery is big doesn't mean the beer has to suffer.

Suggestion: Find Matilda and drink it up.  It's a great summer time brew and can easily be enjoyed in its Belgian style glory.

Value:  I bought a four pack for $12.  I certainly feel it was worth it, especially when you enjoy it in good company.  If you want to splurge on beer, this is a good one to do it.

Michelle Factor: No Michelle factor to speak of here.  Her and the sister-in-law were gabbing so the beer melted in the background.  More for me I suppose.

PranQster

Brewer: North Coast Brewing Company, Fort Bragg, California
Alcohol Content: 7.6%

Official Description from Brewer:
"Belgian Ales represent the height of the brewers' art.  Sophisticated brewing techniques, yeast blends and unique flavoring elements have elevated the beers of Belgium to the status enjoyed by wine in other countries.

PranQster follows in this tradition using a mixed culture of antique yeast strains that produce a floral nose, a full fruity flavor and a clean finish."

Wilk's Take:

I was first introduced to PranQster at the 2011 Blue Chip Brewfest in the pictured pint glass poured precariously to the blue 4 ounce line.  To be perfectly frank, I do not remember the taste of the sample oh so many weeks ago.  It took reviewing the pamphlet I received at the fest to even remember that I tried it there.  The reason I picked it off the shelf was the 750 mL bottle and the cork stopper entwined in a steel cage a la champagne.

PranQster poured nicely, but next time I'll have to have the camera more ready when I pour.  The picture above gives the ale more credit than it deserves.  The original pour left a thick head that slowly faded away before I could snap the picture.  When looking at the brew in the glass I was taken back to my youth.  If you've ever been to a cider mill, you've probably encountered freshly produced apple cider.  That's the look of PranQster.  Do not confuse this with Mott's Apple Juice.  There is no transparency in the glass.  The beer is thick and almost cloudy.

If PranQster looks like cider, it smells and tastes like it too.  The initial smell was really more of a sour apple Jolly Rancher.  How could that be?  I haven't had Zima in 10 years!  I digress.  The first sip yielded the taste of a sourer, less satisfying cider beer.  Imagine Woodchuck without the sweet undertone.  But, it was damn tasty.  I almost confused the beer for a more potent American style light lager (more on this later) but the sour cider taste eventually gave way to a sweet finish.  Not too sweet however, so don't think you're getting sugar water here.

With the cork as the main top of the beer, you really can't reseal the bottle for later consumption, unless you drink wine and have a cork handy.  I am certainly glad I did not.  While I was drinking the first glass I let the bottle sit on the counter and let the brew get warmer.  The second glass poured as equally as the first, but the flavor was much more intense than in the first glass.  I wasn't entirely sold while drinking the first pour, but the second definitely sold me on PranQster.

Suggestion:  PranQster is a good drink.  It isn't very heavy but it's not entirely light either.  The brew is a great balance with intense flavor as the ambiance invades the bottle.  As with ales, the closer to room temperature, the better the beer.

Value: $6 for a 750 mL bottle.  You can get two bottles of Boone's Farm at that price but you couldn't enjoy drinking them as much.  After drinking PranQster you are in a good place.  Rumor is you can also get a four pack, just not sure of the price.  For $6, pony up the greenbacks and enjoy.

Michelle factor: Michelle let this beer settle in her mouth before swallowing this time.  In the end she likened PranQster to a stronger Miller Lite (see I told you I'd mention American light style lager).