Schlafly Export India Pale Ale

Beer: Schlafly Export India Pale Ale
Brewery Location: St. Louis, MO
Beer Style: English IPA
ABV: 8%



I don't get enough Schlafly on this blog. It is my own fault for not getting more, but the Schlafly offerings I have tried thus far have been top-notch. I am not sure when we started being able to get Schlafly in Indianapolis, but I've been sampling them for about two years. I picked this up at Dark Lord Day as an extra from a St. Louis native.

This beer pours a cloudy golden hue with a frothy white head that left a thin blanket of head and good lacing on my pint glass. The scent is classic for American made English IPA's. I first get scents of caramel and toffee mixed in with an earthy/grassy hops mixed in with only a slight touch of citrus twinge. The flavor profile matches the nose with flavors of earthy and toasty maltiness and a bitter tea like flavor that adds to the flavor profile. The mouthfeel is smooth with medium carbonation. I would drink this beer again, and I hope to this summer.

I know the bottle I have is a little old, but I still really enjoyed this offering with a bit of age on it. Classic flavors of an English IPA with an American touch to it. I am curious what this tastes like fresh when I am sure the hops are a little more vibrant. I hope to be able to get some of this in Indiana this year along with Schlafly's other line up of beer available all over town.

Cheers!
Matt

Schlafly Pumpkin Ale

Beer: Schlafly Pumpkin Ale
Brewery Location: St. Louis, MO
Beer Style: Pumpkin Ale
Serving Style: Bottle
ABV: 8.0%


This was the first cold day of the year and I've had this pumpkin ale sitting in the fridge calling my name for a while. I haven't seen Schlafly in town until I think two years ago when I found their several of their offerings at Party Pak. I like seasonal releases quite a bit. It's nice to see a brewery trying something new, or you are just looking forward to that particular beer at that time of year. This is my favorite time of year for beer. There are so many great beers coming out in the next few months.

The beer pours a deep copper hue and it very rich looking with soft amber accented sides. The head poured a solid two fingers at first, but by the time I tried to take a picture of it, it was almost gone already. Leaves no head and no lacing on the glass once settled. The beer has a nice sweet nose on it. Pumpkin and cinnamon come out pretty easily as does nutmeg possibly? I can't really put my finger on that, but a weak nutmeg is what I think. The flavor on this from first sip is the best pumpkin ale I've ever had. Many pumpkin ales just slap you in the face with pumpkin spice and the flavor doesn't meld together at all, but this has a nice pumpkin and honey sweetness upfront with the light spices dancing around on your palate as well. Cinnamon and nutmeg are present in every drink, but it is so well balanced with the beer and pumpkin flavor. The alcohol is non-existent in this beer as well. I honestly cannot pick it up in the slightest and this beer is 8% ABV. The mouthfeel is very light and with low carbination and keeps you wanting another drink. Drink-ability is very high and you could easily put a few of these down on a cold day.

This is a great offering from Schlafly. It is so well balanced and the spices are not the most dominant thing like so many pumpkin ales. Well worth a try if you see it for sale. I happened to pick this up at Party Pak and they had plenty.

4.4 out of 5.
Cheers!
Matt

Edit: There was a flavor I wasn't 100% on and I cheated and looked at their website and it's butternut squash. I don't know about the brewing process for this, but I think it really toned down the pumpkin so it wasn't overpowering.