Case Study: Sprecher Beers of the British Isles

A case of beer isn't always a friend of mine. I am forever looking to try something new and with the exception of a few favorites, buying a case of just one beer doesn't work for me. Since I am a true beer commitment phobe if I'm not buying singles, sixes and bombers the mix/sample/variety case is the way to go.

My latest purchase was Sprecher's Beers of the British Isles. Not just a variety case, but a variety case with a theme. Why just toss a couple bottles of various beer styles in a colorful cardboard box without getting a bit more creative. Several brewers do put a little spin on their samplers. Dogfish has it's Boombox, Magic Hat has Feast of Fools and Weyerbacher does its Big Beer case, just to name a few. Sprecher's spin is a liquid adventure from across the pond. The case consists of 6 IPA2 (Double IPA), 4 Pub Brown Ales and 6 Pipers Scotch Ales. A great feature of this case is the pint size bottles. No wimpy 12oz here. The trade off of course is the case only contains 16 bottles compared to the usual 24. So instead of 288oz of beer you get 256oz. Not to worry it's priced accordingly. The other twist (literally) are the twist offs instead of the standard caps. I'm not sure how much of a difference it makes when it comes to preserving taste but so far not a bad beer in the bunch.

THE BEER

IPA2

Yes, it's a double IPA and with Northern Brewer Fuggle, Willamette and Chinook you might expect a serious hop smack, however that hit never happen. The malt sweetness is more forward and those hops all take a back seat. The hop bitterness that does show only has a faint citrus quality accompanied by an odd grassy character. After drinking Pliny the Elder, Founders Double Trouble, Port Brewing Hop 15 and Moylan's Hopsickle in the past few weeks IPA2 doesn't stand up.

Pipers Scotch-Style Ale

Smoke, smoke, smoke makes itself known in the aroma and taste of this Scotch-Style Ale. With the first big whiff the smoke comes at you and combines with the sweet caramel aroma. The taste is somewhat syrupy sweet and toasty with a touch of dark fruit. The peat smokiness is there from start to finish but wasn't as predominate as expected. Even with the alcohol showing at the end this is an easy drinker. Put this one together, like I did, with a smoked or barbecued meat (BBQ pulled pork sandwich) for a great food pairing. If smoke isn't your thing then this version of a Scotch Ale won't win you over.

Pub Brown Ale

Biscuit is the first aroma to hit your nose while pouring this Brown Ale. It's then followed closely by a malt sweetness. The taste shadows the aroma and is bready, sweet (some apple) with a mild hop bitterness then finishes dry. This was my favorite from the case and is a session beer I can really get into.

Sprecher's Beers of the British Isles was more hit than miss. The only downside was the IPA2. Its malt heavy taste and lack of a big hop presence isn't what you would expect from a DIPA. Even though it wasn't to style it was still fairly drinkable. The IPA2 never came close to seeing the kitchen drain. The smokiness of the Scotch Ale and the biscuity sweetness of the Pub Brown were both pleasant surprises. Add to that the pint size bottles and this is a variety case that is worth taking home.