Thirsty Thursday | Shakparo, Sprecher Brewing

After some recent over indulgence (looking a you Las Vegas) I am doing my best to embark on some healthier lifestyle changes and one is attempting to limit my carb and gluten intake. Sadly drinking beer isn't exactly conducive to these changes I am trying to make. Though my thought processes is more on the 90/10 plan... stick to my goals 90% of the time and indulge 10% of the time, so if that means one or two beers a week, hey than I am cool with it no guilt, follow? 

So I thought for this week's Thirsty Thursday we would drink our first ever featured gluten-free beer, Shakparo by Sprecher Brewing. I love telling people the history of this beer and I can't wait to share it with you! 

Basically if you are even remotely familiar with Milwaukee, WI (where Sprecher was founded 30yrs ago) than you would know that Milwaukee is the city of festivals celebrating every imaginable heritage as well as the largest music festival in the world Summerfest. Almost all of these festivals take place on the Summerfest grounds along Lake Michigan and downtown Milwaukee... (such a great venue might I had!) But back to the beer! Shakparo was originally brewed for one of these said festivals, African World Festival about 15yrs ago. Using only ingredients that were found in Africa like sorghum and millet (as wheat and barley do not grow there) this beer was derived. 

Since the time of it's inception Shakparo has grew largely in part because of the gluten-free movement in America. What I love telling people is how this beer was brewed to be a GREAT BEER, not just some gluten-free beer... so much so that it even won a metal at last year's World Beer Cup as being one of the best gluten-free beer in the world (only losing to a Belgian brewery), so effectively Shakparo is the #1 gluten-free beer in America! 

When you sip this beer I alway remind people you have to not exactly think about it in the traditional beer sense since it is brewed with different ingredients than most are used to. I almost liken the flavor a bit to a cider or farmhouse sour ale type largely in part due to the German hefeweizen style yeast strain used in the brewing process. At a mild 5.7% ABV the subtlety in this beer is fantastic if you are enjoying on it's own or with lighter foods. Though this style is not for everyone (an open mind might be required) it certainly is a great alternative to those of you out there that have Celiac disease, live gluten-free or are simply looking to try something new. Enjoy!

Credits | Author: Krista & Photography: Fornear Photo