Sprecher's gluten free Shakparo Ale is a West African Shakparo-style beer brewed from sorghum and millet. An unfiltered, light, crisp ale with a cider or fruit profile and a dry vinous aftertaste, it is best characterized as an easy-drinking or session beer perfect for summer gatherings. This beer pairs nicely with lighter fare such as sandwiches, salads, chicken, fish, and spicier foods.
Originally conceived of in an effort to provide a traditional African style beer for Milwaukee's African World Festival, our Mbege and Shakparo have won the hearts of people here at the brewery and have been promoted to year round beer status.
Because barley and wheat are not grown in large quantities in sub-Saharan Africa, traditional Mbeges and Shakparos are brewed with sorghum and millet and are therefore able to be brewed gluten-free since neither sorghum nor millet contain gluten. Being gluten-free make Shakparo and Mbege excellent alternatives for those suffering from celiac disease, a genetic disorder that inhibits the digestion of gluten. Our Shakparo and Mbege offerings have been brewed with celiacs in mind and are carefully crafted to ensure they remain gluten-free. (Description provided by company)
Comments
Drink your grainy bread via Sprecher's Shakparo
The Shakparo was amber in the glass with a small head that vanished. Mild carbonation can be seen in this slightly hazy brew.
The smell is like multi-grain bread - grain, a bit of butter - and the smell is basically the same. It feels a bit thinner than Metamucil.
I bought this bottle for the sake of trying something new. Mission accomplished. Is it something I would want to drink again? Nope. I suspect that the majority of Shakparo drinkers do it because it is a gluten-free beer. This drink also fits into the standard of the other half dozen Sprecher beers I've sampled: it is intriguing but not particularly enjoyable.