I hate to admit it, but it’s been a full 11 years since I’ve enjoyed a Sprecher beer. Considering how good the beers are from this Glendale, Wisconsin based brewer, that’s far, far too long. The good news, though, is that Sprecher beers just started showing up on store shelves here in Georgia, and one of the first I bought was Sprecher Pub Brown Ale.
Sprecher Pub Brown Ale is a bit pricey at $9.99 for a four-pack, but the good news is that each of those four bottles contains 16 ounces instead of a mere 12. I do like that a lot, especially with a beer as smooth and drinkable as this one. At 4.8% alcohol by volume, I wouldn’t call this a session ale per se, but it is smooth and drinkable enough it could easily be used for that purpose.
Some details from the company website on Sprecher Pub Brown Ale:
Bitterness Units: 17 IBU
Year First Brewed: 1997
Serving Temperature: 55°
Malts: 2-Row Pale, Caramel, Chocolate, Munich, Pale, Torrified Wheat, Victory
Hops: Goldings, Northern Brewer
Seven varieties of malted barley are combined to give this English-style ale its complex flavor and deep, brown color. A select British yeast culture adds a subtle fruitiness and a blend of choice hops gives this non-bitter ale a soft finish.
Although Sprecher says this beer has been brewed since 1997, I had never tried it before. Let’s see how it is, shall we?
Sprecher Pub Brown Ale pours to a bright mahogany color with a thick creamy head formation and a delightfully soft dark malty nose. Taking a sip, the beer has a smooth and very creamy palate; it’s a little nutty, a little chocolaty, with a very cookie-like maltiness. Light fruitiness, pear comes to mind. The soft finish is slightly sweet but not overly so with a gentle herbal hop grassiness and that makes the beer more-ish and drinkable.
Just a wonderful English style brown with a little extra, very well done indeed.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft
(G)=Growler