Sprecher Brewing Company - Black Bavarian

This strikingly dark German-style schwarzbier is so dark and hearty, it has to enter US brewing contests as a robust porter. Contrary to the name, most schwarzbiers (translated as "black beers") are more of a dark brown; but this is quite nearly black and is the darkest example we've ever seen. Expect deeply roasted malts on the nose, with some lightly charred, smoky notes, burnt chocolate, charred marshmallow and roasted coffee beans. The beer is velvety smooth in the mouth thanks to 8 weeks of aging in the brewery's lagering tanks, with smoky notes, flourishes of plum, coffee, dark chocolate and a latent but firm bitterness in the finish, through which most of these flavors persist. Pair with a well-done, deeply charbroiled steak or a handful of figs.

We've been fans of the Sprecher Brewing Company for some time, but this is their first appearance in the club. And with 20 beers in their cumulative brewing portfolio, we're sure it won't be their last. We're excited—and know you will be too—these are some fine brews! The first thing you'll likely notice is, based on the beer label, their brews give the impression of being an import, what with the griffin-like emblem and type-face (& the name Sprecher (meaning "speaker" in German), implying a German brewery). Then closer examination reveals the bannered line "Established in Milwaukee – 1985"—it's almost jarring to discover this beer isn't brewed by a 200+ year old brewery from Bavaria (and that's before even tasting the stuff—you'll really question it after you try them!). Sprecher Brewing Co. was founded in 1985 by Randal Sprecher, a former brewing supervisor at Pabst Brewing Company, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Within 10 years the company had outgrown their first location and in 1994 they moved to their current location in Glendale, Wisconsin. The new, larger brewery enabled the company to continue growing; today they remain proud contributors to Milwaukee's great brewing tradition—and by Milwaukee's great brewing tradition we don't mean the current macro-behemoth based there—this city was, in the late 1800s, home to more than 80 breweries—but prohibition changed all of that in 1919. Still, it can be spoken of historically as a brewing town. And the Sprecher beers certainly speak to us—they tell us these guys know what's up—these are great beers indeed. If you're ever in the Milwaukee area, drop in to Glendale, Winconsin for a visit and buy what ever Sprecher beers you can get home with you (helpful hint: bring an extra suitcase)! For more information about the brewing and scheduled tours, visit their website at www.sprecherbrewery.com or call them at call (414) 964-7837.