GF Beer Review: Shakparo

Presently, the best place I know of to stock up on  gluten free beer in Philadelphia is The Foodery.  The location I go to is on 2nd and Poplar. They have an entire shelf of gluten free beers, ranging from New Grist, Green's, Sprecher to Nick Stafford's Hambleton Ales.  The staff are super friendly and are completely in-tuned with the needs of us beer loving celiac sufferers.  On the day I picked up a variety of GF beers to review for this blog, the manager informed me of his intention to host a GF beer tasting, possibly in conjunction with Mr. Ritt's GF bakery.  How cool is that?!  I told him to keep me informed so that I could advertise it to the readers of my blog.  

One of the beers I tried out happened to be Shakparo Ale from the Sprecher Brewing Company in Glendale, Wisconsin.  

The description on the bottle states: "Shakparo style beer originated in West Africa and is brewed with sorghum. This beer is light and refreshing with hints of fruit and spice, and is presented unfiltered as is traditional with this style."

I couldn't have described it better myself! This is a sweeter beer, but is really refreshing! It's kind of cloudy like a Hefeweizen, and similar on the palate, but without the clove 

taste.

 I love it! Super Yummy!  And it's not too expensive, at $3.95 per 16oz. bottle.

On the Sprecher Brewery website, they have this to add about Shakparo Ale:

     "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 an 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."

I haven't seen the Mbege beer yet, but when I find it you'll know:)!  

Also, for all of you in the area looking for places to find GF beer. My good friend Eli informed me that his local hangout "Dock Street Beer" stocks a Limited Summer GF Brew.  Dock Street Beer is located in West Philly on 50th and Baltimore Ave. 

I'm meeting up with a few friends to check out the Manayunk Art Fair today, and then after some studying, will be heading there to try out their GF Beer offering.  I'm pretty excited, since this will be the first time since finding out I have Celiac Disease, that I'll be ordering a beer from a bar!  For all of you Philly-locals, please let me know if you ever find bars that stock GF beer in our area.  I'd love to discover and promote as many celiac friendly establishments as possible.  Till next time, keep smiling!:)