Sprecher Commando

Aroma: “Light citrus and pine hops grounded with bready crystal malt. Nice fresh malt character—toasted muffin with a hint of molasses. Toast and caramel, some dark-fruit note. Slightly sweet. Medium stone-fruit or pear esters.” Flavor: “They stick the landing—strong toasty crystal malt with a moderate hops bitterness and flavor (although the hops seem somewhat oxidized). The finish is dryish (crackery), letting the earthy bitterness come to the forefront, but it’s still pretty mild. Got a slight plastic note and some astringency in the finish.” Overall: “Very much a hops-forward amber ale. No surprises, but a solid example. Nice bready start with medium body but finishes rougher than expected with a slightly astringent finish. As a result, it comes across as slightly unbalanced.”

Aroma: “Honey-glazed crystal malt, chocolate, lots of caramel, some soy sauce, dried cherry and fig, cardboard oxidation, stewed plums, and bourbon. Enticing and inviting.” Flavor: “Chocolate, soy sauce, stewed plums, bourbon, full-bodied sweetness, with some hints of cherry add sweet complexity in the flavor. Very malt forward, and the oak complements the flavors. A strong warming through the finish, which adds to this beer.” Overall: “A sweet version of a wee heavy with assertive bourbon notes and appropriate malt depth. Good caramel, a bit of chocolate with some toast, and slight dark fruits followed with some oak in the back. It’s sweet yet not cloying, and the oxidation notes really complement the beer, adding richness.”

Aroma: “Soy sauce, bourbon, cherries, stewed dark fruits, and cardboard oxidation. Plus, raisins, figs, and plums make this a very nice combination of malt and esters.” Flavor: “Soy sauce, bourbon, chocolate, alcohol, oak, raisin, and dark fruit are all apparent in this full-bodied beer dominated by sweetness and cut by copious amounts of ethanol. The caramel and bourbon character work well together and the oak gives some earthiness and is present throughout the flavor and into the finish.” Overall: “A really good wee heavy—rich, complex, sweet but not overly cloying. The barrel character adds some great complexity, but is maybe a bit over the top. If you like boozy barrel- aged beers, you’ll love this.”