The Craft Beer Market
North Coast PranQster is a Belgian Style Golden Ale brewed by North Coast Brewing Co., a craft brewer based in Northern California. The craft beer market has grown rapidly over the last 40 years after Congress legalized homebrewing in 1978. As a result, this inspired many beer enthusiasts to start their own small breweries. However, today the overall beer market is declining. While many small breweries are still opening, the number of breweries in the United States is trending down. Some industry analysts predict a “beer apocalypse.”
North Coast Brewing
North Coast Brewing opened in 1988 as a local brewpub in Fort Bragg, located on California’s Mendocino Coast. The brewery has developed a strong reputation for quality, having won more than 110 awards in national and international competitions. Some of their highest rated beers include Scrimshaw Pilsner and Red Seal Ale, a copper-red pale ale. They have a pub in Fort Bragg.
North Coast PranQster Beer
North Coast Brewing describes PranQster as a “Belgian Style Golden Ale [that] represent[s] 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.” Others have called it a “Belgian strong ale.” PranQster has a 7.6% ABV, 20 IBU, 190 calories, 7g carbs, 0g fat, 0g sugar, and 2g protein. Information other than ABV and IBU comes from BeerBoard. It has an “Outstanding” rating on Beer Advocate. It has won 5 gold medals dating back to 1996.
Our Review of North Coast PranQster Beer
I tried PranQster because of how much I liked the Belgian ale at Draughtsmen Aleworks. I find it interesting that a beer could be so high in alcohol and robust in taste but low On IBU. The PranQster was very good but I liked the Draughtsmen Belgian better. This beer is much too strong and full bodied to drink by itself, whereas the Draughtsmen Belgian was just fine to drink and enjoy without food.
I had PranQster with a slice of sausage pizza, which paired well, but I think it would go even better with ribs or Tri-tip. North Coast mentions several cheeses that pair well with the beer: “Point Reyes Blue, Pecorino Pepato, Aged Swiss (such as Alpha Tolman), Fiscalini Cheddar, Dutch Leyden with Cumin, Neil’s Yard Dairy Gubbeen, Unikaas Gold aged Gouda, Yodeling Goat.” I can’t say that I have even heard of most of these cheeses.
For another recommendation, see our review of Tipsy Trappist Belgian Tripel at Draughtsmen Aleworks.
For beer nutritional information of all beers we have reviewed see Beer Nutritional Information.
