Sprecher Brewing Company - Pineapple X-Press

For Pineapple X-Press, Sprecher starts with their Belgian-style tripel as the base, but goes in a very hoppy direction by brewing and dry-hopping with juicy New World hops to deliver a bold Belgian-style IPA. On the pour, we get a lightly hazy copper color with a plentiful cap of long-lasting foam. There’s a complex array of subtle and not-so-subtle aromas here; look for notes of tropical fruits, including pineapple, along with citrus rind, and spicy overtones conjuring impressions of sage, clove, and aromatic wood. On the palate, there’s a core of toasty malt that comes across super smooth, all enrobed by bright and juicy fruit elements. We picked up zesty citrus peel, juicy mango and pineapple, hints of apple skins, cantaloupe, and touches of stone fruits. The spiciness we expect in a tripel is there too, provided by the Belgian yeast, the complex hop profile, and a touch of alcohol. Bitterness is quite firm – more than in a typical tripel – and the whole thing finishes dry and satisfying. For food pairings, steer towards bold dishes with plenty of spice and even some heat. Indian and Vietnamese dishes can stand up to this beer, as can sharp cheddar and blue cheeses. Cheers!

Randal (Randy) Sprecher, a former Pabst Brewing Company brewing supervisor, founded Sprecher Brewing Company in Milwaukee, WI in 1985 with an emphasis on German-style beers – an emphasis which continues to this day with beer styles such as Maibock, Oktoberfest (Märzen), Hefeweizen, Schwarzbier, and more. After about a decade, the company had grown to the point where they needed a larger facility, and in 1994 the brewery was moved to its current location a few miles to the north in Glendale, WI. The new, bigger brewery offered the company the room to keep growing, and they have established themselves as significant contributors to the city of Milwaukee’s impressive brewing tradition, which reaches far beyond the presence of the current mega-brewery that’s based in the city. In the late 19th century, Milwaukee boasted over 80 breweries until Prohibition led to the demise of most of them in 1919. Nevertheless, the city can be spoken of historically as a craft brewing haven, and the success of the Sprecher beers there in recent years shows that the enthusiasm for great beer is still alive and well.

If you’re ever in the Milwaukee area, check out the Sprecher brewery and buy as many brews as you can bring home with you. You might need an extra suitcase, though, because in addition to their multitude of excellent German-style brews they also make a number of excellent ales such as Irish-style Stout, English-style Brown Ale, Belgian-style Tripel, IPA, and more. For more information about the brewery and scheduled tours, visit their website at www.sprecherbrewery.com or call them at 414-964-2739.