Although many great nationally-renowned breweries have entered the MSP market over the last few years, it’s hard to think of one that has made me as excited as the local launch of Prairie Artisan Ales, based in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Prairie has it down. They brew absolutely fantastic beers across a wide range of styles, with a slight focus on rustic “farmhouse”-style ale.  They’re a decidedly new-school craft brewery with great attention to beer quality, highly creative recipes, and some funky, trippy comic book-like label design. One aspect that also stands out is their overall sense of positivity and fun; to quote their website as to why they started a brewery, “We wanted to do something that was awesome”, and do that they have. Any beer geek that hasn’t tried Prairie is in for a treat.

Every beer that they make is beyond good, but I especially recommend their “Prairie-Vous  Francais”, a traditional old-world Saison brewed with funky Brettanomyces yeast; or “Prairie BOMB!”, a 13%ABV Imperial Stout aged on espresso beans, chocolate, vanilla beans, and chili peppers  – as crazy as it sounds, this beer pulls off a miraculous balancing act and is considered one of the best imperial stouts in the world. Also check out, well, everything. Just try it all.

Prairie Artisan Ales, welcome to MN!

-Shaughn