Schlafly American Pale Ale (APA) / Expedition Reserve - Saint Louis Brewery / Schlafly Tap Room

Tone

Missouri

3.68/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy, dark golden color. 5/4 inch head of a white color. Good retention and good lacing. Smells of earthy malt and strong hops. Fits the style of an American Pale Ale. Mouth feel is smooth and crisp with an average carbonation. Tastes of earthy malt up front and then a hoppy finish. Sadly, not near as good as I remembered - but still a decent brew.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2009 23:43:02 | More by Tone

bluejacket74

Ohio

3.95/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle served in a Sam Adams BL glass. "Brewed with love" on 9/28/2006, I didn't notice it until after I bought the single bottle ($1.10). Beer pours an amber/orange color with an inch frothy off-white head. It smells like spicy hops and bready malt, it's a nice aroma. It tastes like lemon/grapfruity hops with a bit of spice, along with some bread/grain but the taste is mostly hoppy. Mouthfeel is light/medium, but it has a little too much carbonation for me. With that being said, the drinkability is still good. I could drink a few of these in a sitting, it's not a bad choice as a session beer at all. Overall I think it's another good brew from Schlafly.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2007 02:01:29 | More by bluejacket74

joeplyr

Missouri

3.8/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Thick golden appearance with equally thick 1.5 inch head.

S: Hoppy initial scent of pine, graprefruit, and lemon which lends to bready malts right away.

T: The dry hops are evident but do not overpower taste. Like Aroma, bready malts takes over in the middle, but piney "dry" hops linger on in the buds.

M: Highly carbonated, this brew is a bit over the top on the hops but settles in nicely in the finish with mix of pine and malt aftertaste. It does linger a bit too long, however with both hops and malt, wish one would take over.

D: Once the hop "over the topness" mellows, this is a decent APA. It has all the characteristics of an American Pale Ale with good malt overtones.

For those wanting that intense hoppness for an APA, this isn't your beer. But it does provide a good deal (presumedly from the dry hopping) of citrusy/piney intensity to be a good representative of the style.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2007 00:38:09 | More by joeplyr

russpowell

Oklahoma

3.88/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

This bottle comes courtesy BARLEYWINEO, cheers! Date of 02 04 07 (as near as my eyes can tell) on this bottle

Pours a slightly chill-hazed amber with 2 fingers of fluffed up cream colored head. Good lacing & very good head retention

S: Slight cereal & lemon notes

T: Lemony hops & grassy notes up front. Grapefruitty hops & crackery notes as this warms. Finishes with honey malt, slight salty notes, & lemony hops crispness

MF: Medium-bodied with low carbonation. Balances a bit hoppy

Drinks very easy this is one I could quaff watching football or hanging out at the lake. Nothing super-complex, but not hoppy enough to keep you interested

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2007 02:39:28 | More by russpowell

rhoadsrage

Illinois

3.85/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

(Served in an American pint glass)
Brewed in Nov. 06
A- The creamy tan head is thick and sits on top a lightly hazy yellowish-burnt orange body. There is a strong carbonation of tiny bubbles gliding through the glass. With each sip the lip marks make the head more and more rocky.

S- The smell of fresh floor-malted barley has a slight sweet note and a floral pine hops note in the finish.

T- The taste of slightly sweet pale malt has the depth of floor-malted goodness with notes of toast and wheat in the mix. The finish is a green pungent bite with a light citrus zest note. As the beer warms there is a light fruit punch note to the hops.

M- This beer has a medium-full mouthfeel with a creamy texture while the head last and last.

D- This beer has some nice mild malt flavors that balance the hop flavors but the fruit punch flavors in the hops is a bit off putting when the beer warms. When it is still cold this beer is delicious.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2007 02:54:19 | More by rhoadsrage

zeff80

Missouri

3.58/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Poured out a cloudy gold/orange color with a foamy, white, three-finger head. It left sticky lace on the sides of the glass.

S - It smelled of sweet caramel malts and some grasses.

T - It tasted of grassy hops, possibly Cascade and a good dose of malt. It had a citrusy kick.

M - It was crisp and dry. It was medium-bodied.

D - This is a pretty good APA. It had a really huge head.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2007 01:32:08 | More by zeff80

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

2.68/5  rDev -28.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Appearance: Pours a light, light orange-amber body with a wispy, off-white head.

Smell: Faint grainy aroma with some citrus and a bit of mustiness.

Taste: Very weak malt flavor propped up against the taste of grapefruit. A lingering bitterness and an inordinate amount of husk astringency on the already acidic finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-thin body. Light carbonation.

Drinkability: Certainly not a standout whatsoever in this very well represented style. It's time I come to grips with the fact that I need something truly exciting beerwise.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2007 00:53:54 | More by ChainGangGuy

John1985

Tennessee

4.15/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

It looks like this beer was bottled 4/9/07. Ale pours with a deep gold color topped with 1" white head, Nice lacing down the mug. Fresh, spicy well-hopped aroma; initial taste is pleasantly bitter with a malt rush in the middle, and finishes clean with a nice bitter aftertaste. Mouthfeel is creamy and rich. This is a well balanced APA that will satisfy most everyone. I'm glad Nashville now has a real beer from Saint Louis.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2007 01:01:01 | More by John1985

bigelo1016

Illinois

3.98/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- slightly cloudy burnt orange with about an inch of head

S- Floral, spicy fruit, mango maybe

T- Citrus floral hoppiness right from the start, very clean and balanced with a nice bitter finish that lingers for a bit

M- crisp and refreshing

D- nice alcohol content , recommend at least a few

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2007 00:11:12 | More by bigelo1016

beerphilosopher

Illinois

3.65/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a slightly hazed copper yellow color with a frothy head of solid white. Spotty lacing. The nose is quite hoppy - both floral and herbal overtones. A solid sweet malt background is also detectable here. The palate is light, floral and refreshing. Not cloying from the malts. Well balanced beer, for sure. Mouthfeel is clean and light. Slight bitterness in the finish, leaving it pretty dry. Good for an APA - not among my very favorite styles. I find this one easily accessible for those unaccustomed to flavorful beers. A good, solid APA.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2007 17:56:02 | More by beerphilosopher

markgugs

New Jersey

3.53/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

poured from a 12oz bottle into a goblet

A: Poured a purty copper orange. Decent head went away fairly fast, but leaves a nice oily lacing with each sip.

S: citric, floral aromas, very faint malt

T/M: Hops are right in your face with this beer. It's explodes with very juicy bitter grapefruit hoppiness, decent toasted bread maltiness, and yet it isn't balanced nearly as well as masters of this type of beer. Decent medium-bodied, slightly chewy at times. And leaves an oily, bitter, lingering finish. Decent.

D: Pretty easy to drink beer, the alcohol is medium at 5.5%, it's a good representation of an APA.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2007 02:26:31 | More by markgugs

1fastz28

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

got a 6 pack of the APA and an oatmeal stout from the brewpub on friday and opened one of these guys up. Pour a light brown with some cloudiness to it and lots of carbonation. Head is nice and thick and remains for almost half the beer. Smells great, spicy hops are easily present, i think it may be saaz, but i can't tell, very little malt flavor almost all hops. a little bit watery but nothing that robs it of its flavor. very good beer and not surprising since its from Schlafly.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2007 00:52:58 | More by 1fastz28

Monkeyknife

Missouri

3.55/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from the bottle into a pint glass a hazy, warm gold. A thick 2 inch head formed which eventually melted down to 1/4 inch.

Smell of hops, grapefruit, malts and a bit of pine.

You're first hit with the hoppiness which then leaves you with a grapefruit finish.

Good mouthfeel, smooth body with a pleasant carbonation to it.

A very well done APA which Schlafly can be very proud of.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2007 21:37:56 | More by Monkeyknife

cameraman

Kentucky

3.7/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A light amber color, with hints of orange and yellow along the sides of the glass. A small white head forms, but it slowly dissolves away. A very strong malty aroma for a pale ale, then the fragrance of pine and grassy hops comes in to dominate the scent. The taste has that strong malty backbone found in the aroma. Then the hops hit the palate and the flavor of the hops lingers there, as if to stay late and throw a party. It starts out a little watery in the mouth, then it gains weight as it rolls to the back of the throat. The surprising malt flavor and aroma, blended with expected hops, make this a very good beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2006 06:17:34 | More by cameraman

chilidog

Ohio

4.1/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Expedition Reserve, I picked thisone up on quit the expedition myself in St. Louis, im glad I did. Another fine beer from this brewer.

It poured a medium orange/amber with a clean, medium body and weight. The 3/4 in" head that left little to no lace.

The aroma was soft. Bread like malts, slight citric hop.

The taste was easy malts, slight hop bitterness for a clean, crisp bite. Well balanced, exact. Good drinkability a slight dry mouthfeel finish.

Good easy go'en beer!

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2006 14:20:03 | More by chilidog

hckyfn9999

Missouri

4.05/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a hazy orange with golden hues, a two finger white head with good retention and lacing.

Smell is of citrusy hops and a little malty sweetness as well. Smells good, but not a very strong smell.

Taste is sweet bread like malt up front balancing out with citrus (grapefruit tasting) hops.

Mouthfeel is good. Smooth medium body with a pleasant carbonation level. And this is a very drinkable APA. A great session brew.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2006 04:19:54 | More by hckyfn9999

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.28/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A terrific beer. It's every reason why I like Pale Ales. A big malty body delivering a nice blend of malt sweetness and ripe fruits. Hops compliment the malts very well while opposing the sweetness with bitterness. Combined, the beer delivers juicy fruit flavors of oranges, apples, pineapples, appricots, mangos, and a fresh grapefruit finish. Heavier body than is usual for pale ales, but not to kick it into any other style. Finishes very clean with a fruity finish. Not alcoholicly harsh or muddle. Could be a bit spicier and less full in the finish, otherwise a near perfect pale.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2006 23:30:41 | More by BEERchitect

Brent

Kentucky

4.33/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A deft hand was at work in hopping this beer. Nice, clean malt flavors with a fresh hops burst at the front - a touch herbal. Substantial but not overpowering, then a quick clean-up toward the end, with surprisingly little lingering bitterness which lent a great deal to drinkablity. This is what an APA is all about.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2006 16:53:37 | More by Brent

Citadel82

New Jersey

4.28/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served in a standard bar imperial pint glass which I purchased and now sits on my office bookcase looking out over the East River in NYC...

Cloudy/hazy orange, with a foamy white head that settled into a thin sudsy lacing.

Smelt of floral, grassy hops with a touch of herbalness, and a nice backbone of sweet caramelized malts.

Moderate carbonation and a crisp, and smooth medium (perhaps a little on the light side ) bodied mouthfeel.

Tasted of floral hops with a hint of fruitiness, some caramelized malts, towards the end a dry herbal, grassy and bready finish,.

Very drinkable, one of their better brews.

Serving type: on-tap

10-28-2006 13:29:51 | More by Citadel82

warriorsoul

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to rysberg01 for this rare offering...bottled 7/12/06.
Honey in color with a full two fingers of off-white head...most of which goes nowhere and what does, leaves behind some web-like lacing.
Spiced yeast at first, with a gentle floral hop snap to go along with.
Definitely not your typical Pale Ale, as the yeast profile seems a bit higher than what I am used to...very different and quite good.
Tremendous balance in hop to malt, as this one starts out sweet, but finishes quite bitter with that spice lingering in the aftertaste.
No alcohol detected (5.5% abv - according to their site).
Mouthfeel is above average for the style and carbonation is perfect IMO...goes down easy and would go over real well on tap.
A nice start to my exposure to Schlafly...

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2006 01:01:36 | More by warriorsoul

rrg1gb

Missouri

4.1/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into pint glass.

A - The beer had a deep orange, amber color, and poured with a slightly cloudy appearance. There was a thick, foamy head (~2") with good retention.

S - The first thing I smelled was a piney/citrusy aroma, but there also seemed to be a very faint sweetness to the smell as well.

T - Strong floral, hop dominance, but there is a trace of caramel malt flavor that sneaks its way in near the end.

M - It seemed a little thin, but it was still smooth. The aftertaste reminded me of a grapefruit, which I would have correlated more with an IPA than an APA.

D - Not at all a bad APA; I would definitely have another one of these, but probably wouldn't have the whole 6-pack in one sitting.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2006 01:15:53 | More by rrg1gb

rsyberg01

California

4.2/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

S - "bottled with love on July 12, 2006." Lewis and Clark in the top two corners of yellow label.

A - Copper red, clear as water. Head pops to about 1 1/2 inches then recedes to about 1/4 inch off white foam. Lacing is "pretty good" as larry david would say.

S - Floral hoppiness hits first and strong, Maltiness also hits with a certain sweetness, then citrus, grass, and a light fruit character hit, not sure what it is but it is a light flesh fruit, maybe peach or apple. very nice.

T - Sweet, crisp, slightly fruity, bitter, pretty beer. Sweet goes kind of quick then the carbonation kind of defeats that. The fruit makes a brief appearance then the hoppiness finishes beautifully bitter. I've never thought very highly of Schlafly, at least on an above average point of view but after this beer my thoughts are going against me. So far this is a great beer.

M - Almost perfect for an APA. Heavy enough to weigh down and let you have quite an experience, but light enough to let go so you want to finish this quality brew.

D - Great session beer. Easy to down a six and still appreciate on the last drop of the sixth. Very good beer overall.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2006 06:48:44 | More by rsyberg01

Cresant

Kentucky

3.05/5  rDev -18.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured this 12 oz. into an IPA glass. Bottled "with love" 07/06, purchased at Bottleworks. Frothy large head with a clear copper body.

Smelled of dry grain and hints of metal. Floral/herbal hops (noble?).

Tasted of assertive bittering hops. Mildly sweet and quite "hoppy" for an APA. Not bad, but lacking something special.

Medium body. Light carbonation.

Bottle is less bold than the tap version I tasted at Bottleworks. Pleasant but not one I would seek out again.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2006 02:35:26 | More by Cresant

ryanismean

Missouri

4.25/5  rDev +13%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Was fortunate enough to get this cask-conditioned at the Schlafly Tap Room last weekend. This review is from notes.

I love cask brews, and this APA proved to be no exception. Bartender hand-pumped this pale golden nectar into an imperial pint glass. A perfect finger-and-a-half head tells the story of this beer to my waiting nostrils: hops, hops, and more hops. There's so much hoppy goodness that I think I can identify them as cascades, so I ask the bartender. "Yep, pretty sure they're cascades," he says. Aww yeah. Nothing like drinking in an empty bar with a bartender who is also a beer geek! But I digress.

Despite the aroma being almost all bitter citrus, the flavor is actually fairly balanced, with a nice sweet malt lingering alongside the massive hop profile. I comment to my wife that this could just as easily be called an IPA. As we drain our glasses, the brews leave an impressive amount of lace.

Mouthfeel is about as close to perfect as you can get, with the cask imparting that almost-but-not-quite creamy quality that makes cask-conditioned reign supreme above all else, in my opinion. Fantastic. I could sit and drink these all night...which is exactly what we did, until they began closing up and we stumbled back to the hotel.

Serving type: cask

07-24-2006 00:07:04 | More by ryanismean

NJpadreFan

New Jersey

3.03/5  rDev -19.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Schlafly- American Pale Ale

Served up, on tap, at the Schlafly pub in terminal B at Lambert Airrport- St. Louis.

Appearance- dark caramel bronze/ brown with a slight head. No lacing.
Smell- Malt and caramel with a touch of cherry/ orange.
Taste- Big malt up front with a touch of raisin/ cherry blended in. Slight yeasty tone.
Mouthfeel- Light and an easy sipper.

Overall- A middle of the road beer that didn't quite live up to it's American Pale Ale label, but sitting in airports and on planes all day, I'll take it!!

Serving type: on-tap

07-22-2006 13:12:36 | More by NJpadreFan