The Griffin! Amazing strength and wisdom! The hound of the powerful and mighty Zeus! A magical creature, with the massive, muscular body of a lion blended with the fierce, ear-tufted head of an eagle, talons like forged steel, and wings - powerful enough to pluck a man and riding beast from the earth! Enchantment - enhanced further by his stately aura! His outstretched tail, etching an outline against the sky!

Legend has it that this creature guards treasures of gold with its magical powers. It is no wonder that it is the symbol for Sprecher Brewery in Glendale, Wisconsin. The Great American Beer Festival 2004 hailed Sprecher as the 2004 Small Brewing Company of the Year, while Craig Burge received top honors as 2004 Small Brewing Company of the Year Brewmaster.

As the griffin spun threads of precious gems and metals, Sprecher received a Gold Medal for Oktoberfest, its walnut-red seasonal, with splendorous, sweet caramel malt and gentle bittering hops. This one is an autumn Seasonal, and earned its place of honor in the German Style/Oktoberfest category.

Sprecher prefers to weave gold in pairs, so they also took the Gold for Scotch Ale, their 2004 Strong Scotch Ale. The last drop of sweetness was clinched with the Bronze Medal for Mai Bock, a power-punch blonde bock with rich hoppiness, light body and complex fruit bouquet.

Blending Old-World with European hand-crafting, Sprecher displays a rich history of tradition in their brews and brewing establishment. Using Reinheitsgebot, the Bavarian Purity Law, for guidance, Sprecher beer holds a quality not easily matched in the brewing kingdom. The Rathskellar Museum, with its mementos of by-gone days in the Wisconsin brewing world, remains a symbol of the traditions at the Sprecher Brewery. Bavarian murals dot the décor in the bottling room. An indoor Bier Garten, complete with tent folds and Bier Musik, satisfies the thirst of the weary. All who are 21 or older are given 4 samples of beer and a beer tasting glass to take home!

As a special treat to your taste-buds, you may want to experiment with your own taste test of Sprecher beers. Make it a party, with enough of a selection for variety of color, aroma and flavor. Whip out your finest selection of glassware – a Chimay chalice, Bavarian Weiss beer glass, tulip, goblet and flute. Watch the sky for the Griffin!

For your drinking pleasure, the following is a recommended list of Sprecher Brews:

Abbey Triple – a Belgian Trappist triple, with complex flavor and aromas
Hefe Weiss – Wheat beer with light spiciness and a golden touch of citrus
Imperial Stout – a Winter Seasonal with robust burnt and caramel malts and hints of fig, raisins, and licorice
Special Amber – A creamy head tops this precious gold brew; a perfect balance of malt and hops
Black Bavarian – Dark Kulmbacher style lager with malted flavors of caramel, coffee and chocolate
Winter Brew – a rich and robust Munich-style bock; smooth and warming
Pub Ale – English Ale, northern style

Look forward with anticipation to these brews, in Season:

Spring:
Irish Stout – rich mahogany color with smooth blend of bittersweet chocolate and dark coffee – Only one batch is brewed each year!
Mai Bock – Rich blonde bock, with light body and beautiful balance of malt and hop bitterness
 

Summer:
India Pale Ale – For hop heads! Intense hops are balanced with the sweetness of malt; IPA style is fermented and dry hopped twice, as is the tradition made popular in its journey from England to India.

Autumn:
Oktoberfest - walnut-red seasonal, with splendorous, sweet caramel malt and gentle bittering hops
Dopple Bock – Strong, dark lager with complex blend of dark roasted caramel malt enhanced by extended periods of cold storage.

Winter:
Imperial Stout - robust burnt and caramel malts and hints of fig, raisins, and licorice
Winter Brew - a rich and robust Munich-style bock; smooth and warming

Caution! These brews may captivate your interest and ignite the fire and ice in your life.
Celebrate the spirit of the griffin!