Shakparo (Fire-Brewed African Style-Ale) - Sprecher Brewing Company

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

3.4/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Review from BeerAdvocate Magazine April 2007.

Shakparo is a sorghum beer that's traditionally brewed in West Africa using wild yeast. Sprecher went the Belgian-yeast route--talk about going out on a limb for craft beer in the US. American brewers know no bounds. We love it.

Tiny bubbled lace stays for the duration, and does not cling to the glass at all. Very cloudy orange-beige opaque appearance. Herbal phenols all over the aroma; slight plum fruitiness with a hay-like nose. Slick and smooth with a crisp back end and a flush medium body. Sweet, to fruity, to grainy. Plum and cherry fruitiness with an astringent husk. Bubble gum? Hops are mild. Earth, mineral, faint salt, lemon, medicinal herb and cereal grain throughout. Long, faded, astringent finish actually makes this beer a bit more interesting.

Interesting enough to be enjoyable, perhaps too interesting to drink the whole bottle alone. We went with a mild basil and chili pepper dry-rubbed flank steak with fried plantains for the pairing. Perhaps one of the best pairings yet.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2010 20:48:01 | More by BeerAdvocate

eliz108

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +27%

05-17-2013 15:33:59 | More by eliz108

dalepryor

Kentucky

2.25/5  rDev -28.6%

05-08-2013 03:42:32 | More by dalepryor

TripelMark

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev +19%

04-14-2013 19:12:16 | More by TripelMark

Ispeakforthetrees

Colorado

3/5  rDev -4.8%

03-26-2013 18:22:41 | More by Ispeakforthetrees

WissBrauSean

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +37.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

I was loving this 16 oz. bottle until I opened it and found out it was screw top. Booo! It's a cool bottle and a nice label otherwise. It's a pretty affordable beer though, so that is good.

The beer poured a mostly clear light brown/amber in color with a full one finger head that immediately dissipated to non-existant pretty quick. This seems to be the norm for gluten free's.

I immediately smelled sour upon opening, it wasn't strong, but released all of a sudden. As I drink it, that has mellowed but still apparent. Indeed it does have an apple note to it but there is also a faint caramel aroma associated with it.

I don't know what they mean by "Fire Roasted" in the description of the beer, perhaps that pertains to the millet adjunct used to flavor the beer. The beer starts off mildly cider-like and as it moves across your tongue it moves into caramel apple with, indeed, a very mildly apparent fire roasted flavor and then a slightly dry mega mild hoppy finish with black pepper notes at the very end. Lots of beers have this in common. There is also a lingering mildly grassy and yeasty taste. It's really good and mildly complex and warming with alcohol when drinking on an empty stomach. It's not easy picking out these flavours, but they are there. It's just a little thin. The roasted flavor is quite noticeable between sips. It's F@CKING GOOD!

Mouthfeel and Body are kind of like those difficult terms to describe like "Ethereal" or even "Surreal" and it takes a while to really discern them. When people mention them don't get discouraged and just try and see what they mean by trying that beer as well. You can think of it as sweet and syrupy or thin like lemonade in one respect, but it encompasses a wide range of how it makes your mouth feel. Sometimes it is as simple as that. This beer is thin for a beer like an ale like bass ale, but more full than say a coors light. So I call it thin to moderate. Something syrupy might be like a Belgian Tripel or something like a La Fin Du Monde (if you haven't tried that, you are missing out). Mouthfeel also describes how the carbonation of the beer feels on your tongue or whether or not the carbonation carries flavors and smells along with it as the bubbles burst. This beer is only mildly carbonated which is nice. Sometimes higher carbonated Gluten Free beers will taste like champagne on the tongue and in your nose.

As Gluten free beers go, this is one of the best that I have had so far. The roasted flavor really tips this beer over the edge and I feel that this is going to be, or has been, an award winning beer. I highly recommend it! It's only downfall is it's lack of head and lightly thin body and I have to give average scores for those. How the "sorghum problem" was handled in this beer is excellent and definitely world class! CHEERS!

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2013 02:51:32 | More by WissBrauSean

boudreaux

Alabama

3/5  rDev -4.8%

02-22-2013 22:33:15 | More by boudreaux

Cthulhu

Wisconsin

3.5/5  rDev +11.1%

02-22-2013 09:32:00 | More by Cthulhu

grahamboudreaux

Tennessee

4/5  rDev +27%

12-17-2012 11:41:13 | More by grahamboudreaux

UCLABrewN84

California

2.33/5  rDev -26%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2

Bottle pour at the BevMo Holiday Beerfest held at Golden Road Brewing in Los Angeles, CA.

Pours a murky orange with a foamy bone colored head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Small dots of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of grain, fermented pineapple, and strong alcohol aromas. Taste is much the same with an alcohol kick and a funky flavor on the finish. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a poor beer with some pretty foul aromas and flavors.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 21:33:26 | More by UCLABrewN84

marlinsfan4

Maryland

2.75/5  rDev -12.7%

12-02-2012 12:46:57 | More by marlinsfan4

m0ntels

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev +19%

10-18-2012 00:47:14 | More by m0ntels

TimRasmussen

Wisconsin

5/5  rDev +58.7%

06-01-2012 19:52:50 | More by TimRasmussen

tdm168

North Carolina

3.55/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - copper; big, dense, white head; good retention

S - grainy, sweet, apples

T - yeasty, apples, caramel, spicy

M - medium body, smooth, crisp

This isn't bad as far as gluten free beers go. It has that typical sweet, apple character that I find off putting. My wife who can only drink gluten free beers ranks this among her favorites.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2012 15:45:31 | More by tdm168

WastingFreetime

Wisconsin

3.15/5  rDev 0%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A. Lightly clouded straw yellow color with no head or lacing of any sort.

S. At first sniff it smells somewhat like a cross between a sake and a riesling's aroma! More probing pulls out a sort of semi acidic-soured apples, bananas, and pears aroma.

T. The major flavor component is musty soured green apples, secondary flavors seems to include a light psuedo-belgian fruit ester and bubblegum spectrum. Medium levels of phenolics persist towards the back end of the sip.

M. Incredibly astringent and mouth-drying finish, yet paradoxically it has a creamy texture on the medium body. Bizarre!

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2012 13:12:52 | More by WastingFreetime

comfortablynumb1

California

2.95/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

16oz bottle into a Stone IRS snifter...

A - Pours a light amber with a one finger off white head that dissipates very quickly. Lacing is minimal...

S - Lots of sweet fruit notes with some spice in the mix...

T - Apple, banana, pear, and a good spice kick. Spice and yeast come through in the finish...

M - Light bodied with a good amount of carbonation. Thin and fizzy feel...

O - Interesting drink, but not something that I will be revisiting...

Cheers...

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2012 19:36:00 | More by comfortablynumb1

imperialking

Illinois

3.25/5  rDev +3.2%

03-15-2012 19:25:44 | More by imperialking

mactrail

California

2.78/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2

This is pretty far outside the Beeriodic Table. It's like discovering a new rare and radioactive element. Looks like beer, foams up and has carbonation like beer, but it tastes like Dr. Pepper mixed with Xango. Or some kind of Chinese medicinal concoction. Maybe this is traditional or gives us a glimpse into other cultures, but I don't have to like it. First sip give you that spoiled fruit taste with the forgot-to-take-out-the-garbage smell. A little edge of banana pith. Eventually it goes down easier, but my next beer is going to be a double IPA to get the taste out of my mouth.

I'd say we need a separate style category for this sort of stuff. It is in fact beer-like, but to call it an amber is silly. If there are wheat beer categories, there ought to be one for millet or other sugar sources.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2012 05:31:03 | More by mactrail

CWhite

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +27%

01-10-2012 17:29:08 | More by CWhite

JohnnyHopps

Indiana

3.53/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

From Sprecher gluten-free beer line, Shakparo is the most easily available of the beers. However, Mbege is the superior offering. When either are available at the brewery, it is advisable to stock up.

Poured into a pint glass, I was surprised by the vinegar odor. Having drank this many times before, I do not remember this issue. Allowing the ale to air out, this became less of a disturbance. With little head, the ale is a golden orange color. The initial taste brings cider to mind. Notes of sour apples and various spices are noteable. This is an easy drinker with not much carbonation and disappears into a pleasing slightly sour taste. It is not a drink for everybody, but it is a nice change of pace.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2012 23:24:30 | More by JohnnyHopps

Lemke10

Wisconsin

2.58/5  rDev -18.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

I bought a single bottle of this from Woodman's in Janesville, WI for $1.79 in Fall 2011.

Pours a clear, light amber color with not too much of a head due to the lack of carbonation. Scents of banannas and some spices are evident. The texture of the beer is watery and the taste is not too inviting. The taste has hints of banannas and dry malts with a slight lemon zest. Overall that taste is very dry and chalky feeling. Perhaps this is good for a gluten free beer, but I'll take my next beer without sorghum thank you.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2011 06:07:10 | More by Lemke10

Metalmonk

North Carolina

3.53/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Reading the label, I get the feeling this is mis-categorized here on BA. And pouring assures me of that. There's no amber or red to be found in the appearance, just a cloudy peach-yellow color with a wispy head and mellow bubble activity (although the healthy cap-opening "zisss!" assures it's fresh enough).

Smell is an odd one. Musty (like a wet basement) with faint traces of peach, pear and apple. Yeasty and earthy, with a very light white pepper character in the background.

Taste features a kind of spicy attack that gives the illusion Shakparo is much stronger than 5.7%. The fruity elements are propped up and shining, especially big green apple, as is a hint of white pepper and even the ghost of some sort of chili. The yeast has a decidedly Belgian character to it, and knowing Sprecher has attempted Belgian styles, maybe it's an authentic strain of some sort. All in all, the beer carries a pretty exotic flair, which I guess is thanks to, uh, I don't know, whatever is making these characteristics pop...probably the sorghum and millet? Interesting, and pretty enjoyable too.

Unfortunately the feel is the downfall of this beer. It's all spritz, like soda-pop. Not good.

Lots of different things happening here, and I'm really glad I tried it. Very different. There are definitely lesser beers out there for gluten-allergic beer lovers, but I'm still grateful I'm not one of them.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2011 22:31:24 | More by Metalmonk

tvv375ia

Iowa

3.1/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from 16oz bottle into pint glass

A-What head there was disappeared before I Could tell if it was over a finger or not. Amber apple juice color

S-Strange, almost like a sour apple

T-hard cider flavors, a lot of apple that tastes better than the smell.

M-carbonation leaves very quickly any the beer seems flat

O-Actually came across a fairly drinkable if you like hard cider once you get past the strange smell. In the glass it simply looks like hard cider since there is no head retention or lacing when I first smelled it I was sure it was going to be a drain pour but it is not bad, not sure if I would get another one but I did finish this one.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2011 23:10:46 | More by tvv375ia

cdkrenz

Wisconsin

2.58/5  rDev -18.1%
look: 1.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 4 | overall: 2

A - Light and white quick lived (its already gone) head. Body is a cloudy brownish orange with nothing at the surface reminding me that head was once there.

S - The aromas of banana, fig, and bubble gum make for an inviting scent.

T - There's a strange clove-live flavor in this brew that's rather overwhelming near the beginning. It's not a true clove but almost a cross between clove and smoke. There's some banana to note as well.

M - The feel is smooth, soft and easy.

~ White it smells and feels the part, the flavor holds the most weight here and unfortunately I can't say its something I'll every purchase again, nor will I recommend this beverage to a friend.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2011 22:41:12 | More by cdkrenz

TheHoppiest

Ohio

2.8/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Poured from a 16 oz bottle into a pint glass. Pours a silty, cloudy amber, with an almost muddy look to it. A 1/2" head reduces to a 1/8" lid that is being fed with active carbonation.

Has a heavy banana and clove aroma, with hints of ginger and cinnamon. In fact, it almost smells like carrot cake.

Has a tangy, peachy taste, with hints of apricot. A slightly sour ending, the lack of malt in this beer leaves it feeling like there's a hole in this beer's taste.

Medium bodied, there's a slight creaminess that is buried beneath the sour fruit.

Well, I really wanted to like this gluten-free beer. And, as it is the only one I've ever had, I can't say if it is any better or worse than other gluten free beers. However, I can say that I'm not planning having another any time soon.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2011 02:14:44 | More by TheHoppiest