Sprecher's Hard Apple Pie

Beer Name: Hard Apple Pie
Brewery: Sprecher's Brewing Company (Glendale, WI)
ABV: 5.0%
How sold: 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles
Where bought: ShopWineDirect (online and walk-in store based in Upland, CA)****
Price: $5.99 for a 4-pack

Date Ordered: November 5, 2015
Date Received: November 9, 2015
Date Opened/Drank: November 10, 2015
When brewed? Limited time (supposedly)
First Brewed: April 2015

Where distributed: Sprecher's Brewing ships their beers and sodas to several U.S. states. As far as I know, they do not ship the Hard Apple Pie to Washington or Oregon. I had to order mine online.

What's on the Website: "At 5% abv, this is definitely not your Grandma's apple pie although it tastes remarkably similar. Each ship gives you every flavor you get in an apple pie -- crisp yet soft apple up front followed by cinnamon and a pie crust finish. Sweet, tart and smooth with a hint of savory. Engagingly provocative, Hard Apple Pie is delicious on its own, in a float with your favorite ice cream, or mixed in a cocktail. Cheers!" Click here!

REVIEW:

Appearance (5%): Poured hazy whitish-tan into a pint glass. Carbonated, but leaves virtually no suds on top. 3.75/5

Smell (25%): Basically carbonated apple-cinnamon soda. More festive than anything else. Feels more appropriate around the holiday season. 3.75/5

Taste (40%): Good apple flavors up front, with cinnamon coming in later. I see where they tried to head with the pie crust, but that wasn't the first thing that came to mind. Again, way more of a novelty item for me. Cannot see myself drinking more than half the glass before it gets too sweet. 3/5

Mouthfeel (10%): A more medium-light body, refreshing. Cinnamon and carbonation team up on the mouth and lips. 3.75/5

Overall (20%): An average fruit beer or malt beverage. I admit buying this for a couple of reasons: (1) to say I actually tried it, and (2) because I got it around the holiday season and it simply felt appropriate. I am a fan of apple pie, but couldn't imagine drinking this on a regular basis. This is a beverage designed to get more people to drink alcohol; it avoids the bitterness or other off-putting characteristics that beers usually possess. I wouldn't pass this up if given to me at a party, but I can otherwise pass on this. 3/5

Final Weighted Rating: 3.3/5