Irish Style Stout - Sprecher Brewing Company

Dope

Massachusetts

2.83/5  rDev -24.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

A: Very dark brown pour iwth a medium-sized and dense light brown head. Fades at a medium pace, leaving a decent patchwork of lacing behind.

S: Odd meaty aroma with some soy sauce. WTF?

T: More meat. Tastes like I'm drinking a steak. A little soy sauce follows. Ends with a hint of coffee bean. Strange.

M: Medium bodied, relatively smooth.

O: I'm assuming (hopefully) that this is some sort of brewer's mistake. It tastes like soy sauce and beef. Not really a pleasant taste or aroma.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2012 04:58:09 | More by Dope

WastingFreetime

Wisconsin

3.35/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed from session notes.

A. Opaque black with a short-lived single finger of tan head that fizzles out in about a minute without any lacing left behind.

S. Mostly licorice aroma with lesser amounts of chocolate and coffee. Some dusty roasted malt aroma also appears as the glass warms.

T. Somewhat simplistic compared to the nose. Straightforward charred malt and bitter coffee. That's about it. I'm not quite getting the typical acidic tang that most Irish Stouts have from this brew.

M. Fizzy, prickly carbonation on a lighter side of medium thickness body.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2012 03:02:35 | More by WastingFreetime

TheQuietMan22

Iowa

4.03/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Serving type: 16-ounce bottle with a twist-off cap. There are cryptic batch codes printed on the shoulder and bottom, but no freshness date.

Appearance: Straight pour into a pint glass. The color is black black black — totally opaque; when held to a lamp, zero light passed through. One finger of tan head dissipated to leave a spotted lacing and ring around the edge. (The pour was pathetic. My bad.)

Smell: Overall it is very sweet, but it has a nice, roasted edge to it. Sweet caramel, cocoa, black licorice, lactose, maybe a few oats, toffee, dark fruits, and roasted coffee.

Taste: The roasted bitterness is omnipresent but not dominant; it hangs out in the background and creates the backbone for flavors of sweet caramel, toffee, milk chocolate, espresso, and black raspberry. It has a lot of body and the mouthfeel is very smooth, though it becomes a touch thin as the beer warms.

Drinkability: Awesome stuff. Who knew ethnic Germans and Poles could brew such awesome Irish-inspired beer?

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2012 06:14:44 | More by TheQuietMan22

doopydoogle

Tennessee

4/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Black with a solid creamy tan head that leaves some lacing

S - Milk chocolate, medium roast coffee, some malts, and a bit of dark fruit, like cherries or raisins. Some caramel, toffee, and subtle spice is also present.

T - Coffee and semisweet chocolate give way to toffee, roasted malts, and bittersweet chocolate with an espresso finish. The beer has a very slight bitter which dominates the finish with the roasted character continuing to play its part long after the sip.

M - Good, smooth, and even.

O - A very good stout! Smooth, lots of character, and highly drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2011 01:35:11 | More by doopydoogle

jmdrpi

Pennsylvania

3.38/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

16 oz bottle, no date.

appears opaque black, 1/2" tan colored head, but it fades fast. roasty aroma, a bit of coffee. taste is fairly standard for the style, dry roasted malt flavor dominates. lower carbonation, thin to medium body.

overall, right on for the style, but nothing special.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2011 03:26:40 | More by jmdrpi

tvv375ia

Iowa

3.58/5  rDev -4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pored from 16oz bottle into pint glass

A-dark, almost black with finger of tan head that goes away to a thin cap

S-not as much coffee and dark roasted smell as most stouts but there is some with a fruitiness (maybe plums)

T-coffee and fruit but not a lot of chocolate

M-carbonation is ok maybe a little thin

O-I like this one, not quite as heavy as most making it easy to drink on a warm summer day.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2011 22:56:06 | More by tvv375ia

witster18

Tennessee

3.28/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

prob tied as my fave sprecher with their weisse...

smell is a bit of sour fruit, red wine, and choco...

that a-typical sprecher sourness is in here... yeast? all their beers have this characteristic... I like the way it comes off in this beer better than some others... with this and their black bavarian it adds originality, but for the most part it's a flavor that I don't really care for... a cask, dark fruit dominant flavor profile without the hops and earthiness that I like in this style...

still decent though...

a bit over-carbd... a bit thin on the mouthfeel, but the flavor is pretty good... I wouldn't buy this again, but I wouldn't turn one down either...

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2011 00:50:06 | More by witster18

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle courtesy of BeerFMAndy. Served in a tulip.

Pours near black with a light mocha head. This recedes quite quickly, leaving a spot or two of lacing. Thin collar. Nose is pretty plain with just a bit of roasted malt. As it warms, still not much more. The flavor is quite nice with the roasted malt pairing with some dark chocolate and a bit of bitter strong coffee. Medium body with moderate carbonation. Smooth bitterness in the finish. Pretty good all around.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2011 22:19:08 | More by Thorpe429

Mora2000

Texas

3/5  rDev -19.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Thanks to thirdeye11 for sharing this bottle.

The beer pours a dark brown color with a tan head. The aroma is made up of lighter malts, but there is not really much else going on. The flavor is roasted malt and not too much else. Both the flavor and aroma are very one dimensional and not too exciting. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2011 21:08:52 | More by Mora2000

JoeyBeerBelly

New York

3.83/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I got this beer in a trade with AlexFields. Thanks Alex!

16oz bottle served in a glass beer mug.

L - black with a thin beige head that got even thinner as the glass got lower.

S - roasted malts and smokiness.

T - the smoked taste hits upfront with notes of chocolate and lightly bitter coffee on the finish.

F - light/medium bodied with a smooth feel.

O - a mostly enjoyable stout.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2011 23:10:36 | More by JoeyBeerBelly

ColdPoncho

Ohio

3.7/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

1-07-2011 Bottled

A - Pours kind of a dirty brown filling out to an almost perfectly opaque block body. Small light brown head fades quickly to a ring.

S - Dry woody notes, light chocolate, smoked meats, dark fruits.

T - Dry roasted malts, caramel, sweet dark fruits, bitter coffee.

M - medium body, moderately thin, carbonation is a bit aggressive.

O (D) - A pretty good tasting beer, pretty solid all around. Interesting without being overpowering.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2011 01:05:47 | More by ColdPoncho

bound4er

Wisconsin

4.03/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Been drinking this stuff for 10+ years - time for a review on the eve of St. Paddy's Day.

A. Dark brown to nearly black with a deep tan head of 3 fingers. Leaves lots of lacing in its wake.

S. Roasted malt and a slight soapiness. Not the most intense nose around.

T. Roasted malt, semi-sweet chocolate and coffee. What I would expect from a good Irish Stout. Finishes with a bit of hop fizz and good lingering dryness.

M. Medium bodied with a smooth mouthfeel. Low carbonation makes for easy gulping.

O. Probably my favorite seasonal from Sprecher - this beer never disappoints. I would be more than happy to have a bunch of these whilst hanging out in an Irish Pub.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2011 02:07:46 | More by bound4er

alobert

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I really enjoyed this beer. It is a simple but delicious irish stout.

The appearance is dark brown with some nice tan head. A very standard but appealing look.

Not a lot going on in the smell department. But I detect chocolate, coffee, and roasted malts.

This beer is tasty. It is relatively simple, some chocolate, some coffee, and some toffee. Its sweet up front with a bitter dry finish. I really enjoyed the taste of this beer. (Also a nitro version would be interesting to me...just an idea).

The mouthfeel is good. It is a little bit watery, but I like the medium carbonation.

I believe this beer is very drinkable. Because of the medium carbonation and relatively thin mouthfeel.

I will definitely get this beer again.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2011 05:45:32 | More by alobert

GRG1313

California

2.68/5  rDev -28.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours black with a big bubbled tan head that quickly fades.

Nose is very light plum; maybe a hint of sweet chocolate but you really have to seek it out.

Mouthfeel is thin, watery, weak carbonation and without substance or character.

Flavor is a weak and watery sweet roasted grain that is simple in the extreme, although after some air it gets a light roasted citrus character that really doesn't add much.

Finish is actually a decent bitter coffee such that the end of the beer "is" the beer, although short and nothing other than a bit of roasted grain.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2010 22:47:31 | More by GRG1313

HalfFull

California

3.25/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Served into a Guinness pint glass from a 16 oz. twist off bottle. Pours a deep black with very little highlights. Half an inch of mocha foam bubbles down to a light cap and yields some light to moderate lacing. Becomes quite flat by mid glass however.

Roasted malt on the nose with some chocolate and coffee notes, yet with a background of the typical yeast/hop notes from the brewery, adding a bit of sour cherry to the mix. The body of this brew hides it a bit better however. Still somewhat lacking, though improving with warming.

Flavor starts off full but thins out quickly and offers a somewhat watery roasted finish. Bit burnt and drying in nature, yet with a fruity sweet and viscous creamy finish. Bit of coarse spice later on.

Surely a Sweet Stout from my view..

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2010 06:59:20 | More by HalfFull

blackearth

Minnesota

3.6/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Purchased from the Sprecher gift shop in Glendale, WI. Pours a black body with dark brown corners and thin grayish-white head. Aroma of faint roasted dark malt. Mouthfeel is medium-full bodied with low carbonation. Flavors of coffee, cream and roastiness with a slightly creamy finish. Good drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2010 01:39:13 | More by blackearth

Wasatch

Utah

3.83/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks goes out to beerwolf77 for this brew.

Pours a nice black color, nice carbonation, nice little fizzy tan head, with some minimal sticky lacing left behind. The nose is malty, with some chocolate/toffee notes. The taste is slightly sweet, malty, with some nice chocolate/toffee notes. Medium body, the finish is slightly dry and bitter. Drinkable, a nice brew.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2010 22:57:54 | More by Wasatch

matty

Pennsylvania

3.4/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pitch black beer with a slowly fading creamy head.Aroma is chocolate and coffee.Taste is cocoa,chocolate and some smoked malts.Pretty smooth and refreshing..nothing offensive.All in all a decent brew.I would recommend to try at least once.I probably would try again.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2010 02:54:05 | More by matty

Josievan

Iowa

4.13/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Sprecher Irish Stout pours a deep opaque brown with a thick-looking consistency. The head is dark as well and clings to the glass.

Smell: The aroma gives off notes of dark chocolate and just a hint of coffee. Very appealing indeed.

Taste: This is more rich and multi-layered in flavor than I'm used to in an Irish dry stout. Chocolate stands out on top of a pinch of coffee. Roasted malts are at play, but to a lesser degree than most other examples of this style, which seem to focus on the roasted quality.

Mouthfeel: Sprecher Irish Stout is creamy, smooth, and wetter than I expected. This makes for a longer finish than is typical for the style.

Drinkability: This 16 oz. bottle was split two ways, but I easily could have drank at least one full bottle at that volume. This would make a good session stout.

Notes: I prefer the wetter, sweeter stouts over Irish dry stouts. Lucky for me, this beer was labeled as the latter, but was more similar to the former. I don't care what a beer is called as long as it tastes good, and Sprecher Irish Stout certainly does.

I've been looking for an Irish stout I can really get behind drinking for St. Patrick's Day, and I think this is it. Although that holiday has come and gone this year, I'll look forward to drinking Sprecher next March.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2010 21:13:18 | More by Josievan

Cubsfan1087

Iowa

4/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I've had Sprecher's root-beer, but this is the first beer I've had from them. The Irish Stout pours very dark, also appears to be somewhat thick. Smells a little sweet, it is similar to other Irish stouts. Taste again is very similar to other Irish stouts I've had. The aftertaste is a little strong, like black coffee. Overall, I was a little surprised by this beer. Obviously, not the greatest Irish stout out there, but this a very decent beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2010 04:10:47 | More by Cubsfan1087

brobeerbot

Tennessee

4.08/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A-Deep brown almost opaque with almost a finger of head that went away fairly quick

S-Chocolate and coffee with the smell of deeply roasted barley

T- Start with a deep coffee and dark chocolate flavor. can really taste the slightly smokey flavor

M-A little heavy but somewhat creamy.

D-High for someone who enjoys a great dark stout. Great for winter and fall.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2010 05:19:25 | More by brobeerbot

DoubleJ

California

3.2/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Sprecher products are a tough find in Southern California, but I willing to try ones that I haven't before. 16 ounce twist-off bottle from Total Wine in Rancho Cucamonga. On to the beer:

Pours black like licorice. A little ruby red hue at the bottom of the glass. The head on top drops a thin creamy/bubbly texture, retention is okay. Lots of blackstrap molasses in the aroma. Roasted malt and a snap of booze add to it.

Its flavor doesn't really soak into the palate. There's a little of dry stoutness, but at this point, there are others of the style that I prefer. Okay, back to this one...light molasses, light roasted malt, light lacotse note. In the mouth, it has a light fizzle and a lighter texture to it. The aftertaste leaves a smokey note mixed with chocolate.

Back in the day (20 years ago), this must have been the shit. But now with so many good session stouts on the market, Sprecher's version is left behind. Still a decent buy; only $1.99 for the pint-sized bottle.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2010 06:03:21 | More by DoubleJ

RJUGA03

Illinois

3.7/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A-Deep brown non-transparent body with a 1/8" brownish head.
S-Chocolate and roasted malts very typical of a stout.
T-First pull is deeply flavor imbedded with chocolaty roasted coffee malts.
M-Rich and somewhat heavy with a lingering dry after taste.
D-Great fall/winter or whenever you need a stout beer ....beer!

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2009 17:32:40 | More by RJUGA03

dbossman

Nebraska

3.68/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A: Very black; had a nice one finger head with a little retention; lacing is pretty good.

S: Roasted malts; coffee undertones; also a slightly burnt and caramel smell with maybe a little bit of raisin

T: Flavor is a little thinner than I would've expected from the smells I was getting. There is a nice roasted maltiness but it dissipates fairly quickly. The subtle coffee and caramel flavors that I smelled are still there but not as pronounced.

F: Actually a bit thin and not as creamy as most Irish-style stouts; runs through the mouth and throat fairly quickly and is lightly carbonated

D: Like most Irish-style stouts this is quite drinkable and is a nice cold-weather session beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2009 01:51:04 | More by dbossman

sweemzander

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

16oz. bottle poured into a snifter. Bottled sometime in Jan 2009.

(A)- Pours a dark black color. Lots of brown foam that dissipated rather quickly to a thin film of bubbles.

(S)- Rich roasted malts. Raisin primarily with a burnt caramel thing.

(T)- Roasted malts a plenty! Nice mellow raisin & caramel consistency. Light coffee attribute. Kinda creamy.

(M)- Smooth, ever so slightly sweet. A nice dry aspect to it. Good carbonation level.

(D)- A great stout that certainly stands up well to the classic of the style (Guinness). Simple, yet delicious. Straightforward but enjoyable. One of my favorites from Sprecher.

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2009 00:02:56 | More by sweemzander