Irish Style Stout - Sprecher Brewing Company

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

fbinla

California

3.65/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

A beautiful black color with no head to speak of a few seconds after the pour. Smell of a nice roast notes, with maybe a hint of coffee. Nice fizz in the mouth a little bitterness, light roast flavors, small tastes of dark chocolate. A nice dry stout, easy to drink, good session beer. You can drink a lot of these.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2009 04:13:22 | More by fbinla

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

4.15/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

16 oz bottle poured into a Pint Glass.

A - Delicious opaque black pour with a small one-finger deep, rich tan head with no retention. Left only the ring in moments.

S - A sweet malty aroma with slight coffee and cocoa hints.

T - The stout has a nice malty body with a very well balanced cocoa aftertaste. Caramel and molasses hints too.

M - This Irish Stout has a fuller bodied, smooth and creamy mouthfeel that does the style justice.

D - As full-bodied as it is, it's definitely more of a drinkable stout.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2009 14:34:12 | More by BeerFMAndy

PaleAlien2

Nebraska

3.35/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

Strikingly dark in color, but almost no head. Barely one finger of tan head with no retention.

Smells quite good. Chocolate, coffee notes.

A little light in the flavor department. Some coffee, roastiness, but lack of malt leaves it out of balance. Has an interesting citrus tang to it.

Very water, thin mouthfeel for a stout.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2009 02:39:03 | More by PaleAlien2

wheatyweiss

Wisconsin

3.8/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 16 oz bottle into an imperial.

Pours a black as night color with a nice tan frothy head that sticks and hangs around for awhile.

Aroma is of deep roasted malts, rich and roasty. Small amount of hop type aroma that I can't tell for sure if it really is hops.

Flavor is a deep roasted chocolate flavor. Malt is upfront with a raisin and coffee flavor. Middle is a nice hops flavor that doesn't balance but makes it's presence known. Vanilla sneaks in for a cameo with some Belgian candy sugar flavors. Finishes with a roasty smokey coffee flavor.

Mouthfeel is smooth and carbonation is good. Medium to heavy bodied.

Much, much better in the hops department as it warms. Definitely beats the pants off Guinness and the like for hop flavor.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2009 23:49:31 | More by wheatyweiss

Adam2200

Wisconsin

3.98/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

tis the season for Irish stout. the caramel aftertaste and the coffee taste is very typical of a stout. the dark amber color is barley see through and has a light creamy head that settles into the beer leaving a light film on top. this beer is nice in drinkability very good for all day st. patty drink.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2009 00:21:03 | More by Adam2200

cmoney311

Wisconsin

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

A: jet black with a thin mocha colored head.

S: aromas of chocolate and toffee.

T: upfront smoky flavor followed by chocolate, caramel and toffee. after-taste of smoke and caramel. let it warm to get a hint of cherries - simply delicious.

D: a very nice stout. i will definitely be taking advantage of having Sprecher within 30 miles from my house and buy this at the local liquor store often until the season is over. i'd love to pick up a growler if im in the area (i think im gonna make it happen).

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2009 02:13:48 | More by cmoney311

scruffwhor

Illinois

3.55/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Watery looking jet black color. Not much of a head and no retention. The color is better than Guiness, but needs some more foam for sure. The aroma reminds me of stale an dry marshmellows and roasted malt. The taste makes me thinkof malted milk balls with an almost burnt, roasted malt flavor. Flavorful and sessionable. Non-dairy creamer palate, but darkly and dry roasted.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2009 06:26:14 | More by scruffwhor

pphunkdelux

Wisconsin

4.55/5  rDev +22%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The appearance was good, nice and dark with a head that quickly receded.

Faint smell of chocolate and malt, hints of fruitiness.

This beer tastes great, very balanced. The taste of bitter sweet chocolate and cherries.

The mouthfeel is good, but I would have liked a little less carbonation in this beer. Other than that, it was perfect, nice and thick and creamy.

I'm a big fan of thick dark beers so I could easily drink a few of these in one sitting, but it might be a little too dark for some.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2009 06:06:13 | More by pphunkdelux

u2carew

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

(A) Dark, allowing no light through. Pours with a beige colored, creamy head. Then settles fairly quick.
(S) Yeasty, with some smoky, coffee notes.
(T) Smoky, with mild coffee accents and hints of chocolate.
(M) Not as thick as presumed by the color. Smooth with a lighter body than most stouts.
(D) A delicious stout. Nice and smooth.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2009 21:42:32 | More by u2carew

grs8313

Maryland

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

Appearance: 16oz twist top bottle with no best by or bottling date. Pours black with a brown head, that does not get very high, and dies down to a thin covering. No lacing while drinking.

Smell: Malts, alcohol, caramel and a slight sour smell at the very end.

Taste: Water, coffee, malts, and bitter chocolate. I was hoping this beer would be a little sweeter. I found the taste to be a bit biting. The aftertaste is of bitter chocolate and watery coffee.

Mouthfeel: Watery and carbonated, the mouth is left feeling dry, and watering.

Drinkability: I was disappointed by this beer, I was hoping for a sweeter stout, but this beer is watery and with an aftertates to match.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2008 01:34:48 | More by grs8313

animal69

Louisiana

4/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

pours a deep black with traces of dark mahogany around the edges w/ a small brown cap that fades quickly leaving a decent lacing in my nonic ; not a strong smell, a buttery, caramel/coffee aroma with faint hints of dried plum and vanilla ; an almost too thin flavor, a french roasted coffee taste up front with some hop bite, a bit of chocolate and a darker fruit with a not unpleasant tart, vinous "meaty" undertone midway, finishes a bit smokey with a mineral note ; a light-med. body, not as dry as most irish stouts and modestly carbonated, yet stays creamy ; a very drinkable brew, in fact, i'm going to have one at every BBQ...

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2008 22:11:49 | More by animal69

rhoadsrage

Illinois

3.63/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

(Served in a glass mug)

A- This beer pours a jet black body with a wall of tiny brown bubbles gliding up to the surface along the edge of the glass. There is a thick light tan head that last for most of the beer.

S- There is a smooth roasted black malt nose with a slight tartness that increases as the beer warms.

T- The taste of black roasted malt is soft with a soft taste of cream to follow and a light smoky quality that comes through as it warms. There is a light roasted black bittern malt note at the finish with a green note of hops bitterness aswell.

M- This beer has a medium-light mouthfeel with a slightly watery texture.

D- This beer has some nice black malt notes with good flavor but not much depth or character.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2008 19:01:57 | More by rhoadsrage

nsmartell

Wisconsin

3.9/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I enjoyed this beer from the comfort of my own living room. From Sprecher's 16-0z bottle to a standard pint glass.

Appearance: Pours a nice solid black with a creamy tan head.

Smell: Roasted malts.

Taste: Bittersweet chocolate and roasted and caramel malts.

Mouthfeel: Creamy and medium bodied.

I enjoyed this beer and could enjoy a few more in a sitting. However, it felt like it was lacking something in the taste.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2008 11:51:16 | More by nsmartell

Halcyondays

California

4.1/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at the Beachwood BBQ,

A: Pours black with a light cap of tan foam, good retention, no real lacing.

S: Very light, but a slight hint of coffee.

T: A light flavour overall, but a very good one. Creamed coffee, mocha, light dark chocolate, and a touch of burnt sugar make one tasty brew.

M: Very dry, has a light carbonation to make it very drinkable, with a bit of a fizz in the middle, silky smooth.

D: An oustanding Irish Dry Stout made here in America, will definitely try again.

Serving type: on-tap

05-07-2008 23:24:52 | More by Halcyondays

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

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

Somewhat above average and less drying than others I have had in the style. Better with food. Black with carbonation bubbles, white head and lace. Sweet finish and well roasted.A drop of chocolate. Medium mouthfeel.
Had this again 3.5 years later. Creamy, dark, dying finish. Not a bad one.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2008 14:31:48 | More by northyorksammy

Pauly2X

Wisconsin

3.6/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A- Opaque black beaneath a solid two finger head.

S- Dry roasted malt with a touch of sweetness and a hint of earthy hop aroma.

T- Dry malt bitterness throughout but it is not to overpowering as to allow for a quick hint of sweetness on the take and pleasantly earthy dry hop finish.

M- Slightly astringent, not as creamy as expected.

D- It'll be in my stout rotation.

Although it's not what I expected. I say this as unfortunetly most of us compare Irish Stouts to Guiness. However its still a great offering. I feel this would serve as a great steping stone towards trying a Russian Imperial Stout for the first time.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2008 13:46:18 | More by Pauly2X

WesWes

New York

3.78/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer pours a black color with a thick frothy tan head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is good. It has a solid roasted and black malt scent along with a mild hop aroma. It's quite dry with a decent amount of bitterness. The taste is decent. It has a complex malt flavor that boasts of chocolate and roasted malts along with a dry, hoppy finish. It's smooth with just a bit of a metallic off-flavor. The mouthfeel is fine. It is a full bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a flavorful beer that very enjoyable. Recommended!

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2008 20:25:47 | More by WesWes

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

3.95/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

"The Irish do not want anyone to wish them well; they want everyone to wish their enemies ill."

--Harold Nicolson

Roasted coffee bean brown with a glimmer of bronze at the margins. Points for opacity. The upper third of the pint glass is filled with a caramel frappuccino colored crown that does a credible job with regard to lace.

Although the nose could be stronger, the combination of bittersweet chocolate, coffee, dark caramel and vanilla beans is enjoyable. The hops (which include Cascade, Chinook, Tettnanger and Mt. Hood) are subtle at best. Then again, noticeable hops aren't a requirement in beer of this style.

Sprecher Irish Style Stout is good beer because it packs a great deal of roasted flavor into a relatively light body. Actually, it's a success *because* of the first and *in spite of* the second. It also has a wonderful balance that ends up favoring the correct side in the end. That is, bitter and dry.

Flavors include Oreo cookies (with only a thin layer of vanilla cream filling), black coffee, black tea leaves and a hint of grapefruit zest. It isn't hugely complex, but it's complex enough. I would have no trouble staying interested through several bottles over the course of an afternoon.

Taking everything into account, the mouthfeel is still a fraction too light. More bubbles would probably help, as long as they resulted in creaminess rather than fizziness.

Sprecher Irish Style Stout is good beer. Even though I prefer the big, malt-intensive stouts, there's something about a well-brewed Irish dry stout that hits the spot on occasion. Well done.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2008 14:30:43 | More by BuckeyeNation

evanackerman

Minnesota

3.73/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

this stout pours a deep tawny red that appears black unless held to light, decent head.

aroma is standard stout aroma but with a bit more of a sour tinge. stouts are not my favorite aroma by far.

taste is a lovely roasted malt, more flavorful than standard guinness draught, nice little bitter hop presence.

mouthfeel is a bit on the thin side, carbonation level is appropriate for the style.

overall, a very solid stout, not the best out there but definitely good for everyday consumption.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2008 01:54:23 | More by evanackerman

Homerbag

Wisconsin

3.93/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pitch black with two finger thick creamy tan head. No widget either. Retention is very good and laces perfectly down the glass.

Smell is a bit confusing. Roasted malts are prevalent all over. Chocolate and coffee tones make a strong appearance. But I am picking up a pleasant cream aroma like that of a cream stout. Somewhat out of place, but interesting. Tastes of bittersweet choclate, coffee, roasted black patent and caramel malts. Balanced malt profile, not much bittering to it. Feel is creamy, not too thick.

A nice job. these classic and traditional beers are Sprecher's strong suit. This is almost sessionable.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2008 00:04:41 | More by Homerbag

botham

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

pint bottle poured into a sprecher nonic. pours black with minimal garnet highlights, and a solid finger of tan, frothy head.

aroma is mainly of roasted malts and coffee. a slight burnt character feeds off the roasted malts, while notes of chocolate and caramel round out the profile.

taste is roasted up front, with the same coffee and chocolate as the aroma, but with a base of dark fruit. the same burnt character resides among the malts, with a distant smoked note. finishes clean with residual burnt malt.

mouthfeel is full bodied with a smooth texture and a clean finish. great mouthfeel on this one.

drinkability is good. this is a robust stout, with all the standard flavors, but the brew manages to remain drinkable despite the full body and rich flavors present. cheers!

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2008 04:39:17 | More by botham