North Coast Brewing Company Pranqster

Description Other Details 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 results in a floral nose, a full fruity flavor and a clean finish. It's a deceptive 6.9% alcohol and should be enjoyed with a full head.

"We're excited about the techniques we've developed to bring this fruity, complicated ale to the American market," says North Coast Brewing Co. Brewmaster Mark Ruedrich. "Belgium produces the most diverse group of beers in the world. We've always been impressed with them, and it's really gratifying to be able to create something in that style."

7.6% ABV Origin: American

North Coast PranQster

WHAT IS IN A NAME
From co-founder Tom Allen, “The Belgians had established naming their beers with a slightly wicked reference – Duvel, Lucifer, Verboten, etc. We liked that, and so followed PranQster trading on the Belgian precedent with a light touch.” It also gives us great pleasure to allude to the Northern California history of Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters which is a noted part of our regional history. The “Q” is included for uniqueness and fits the unique qualities in this ale.

BREWERS NOTES
From co-Brewmaster, Patrick Broderick, “PranQster was a fun beer to create. During the trials we brewed the beer in batches with a number of Belgian strains of yeast and sat down one day in 1995 to see which strain we liked the best. One of us poured two of the samples together and viola we had found the perfect blend of banana-like fruit and clove-like phenol character that we were looking for. It’s not an easy trick to propagate from two separate strains of yeast each time we brew the beer but the effort is well worth it. PranQster, like the originals from Belgium, is one-of-a kind!”

North Coast PranQster has won the Gold for the best Belgian Style Pale Ale at the 2014 San Diego International Beer Competition. The judging was conducted by hops and barley loving industry professionals in a blind tasting. Already a four time gold medal winner, PranQster was awarded number five.

STYLE
Belgian Style Golden Ale

COLOR
Soft Gold

ABV
7.6%

BITTERNESS
20 IBUs

Pranqster Golden Ale is brewed using a mixed culture of antique yeast strains that results in a floral nose, a full fruity flavor and a clean finish. This Belgian-style brew is soft gold in color and wonderfully complex.