Schlafly Pumpkin Ale - Saint Louis Brewery / Schlafly Tap Room

climax

Kansas

4.7/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 3 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I enjoyed this on tap a week or so back. Unfortunately for me, I was unable to fathom a review because it was my 6th beer of the evening. So this is from a sober state in bottle form.

Poured into a snifter (also what the brewery presented it in), this is a darker than expected caramel brown with very burnt orange highlights. The head is minimal, and the lack of retention and lacing is definitely a disappointing downfall. The etching in the glass is the only thing that's keeping bubbles on the beer.

My soul is filled with autumn goodness upon smelling this. The nutmeg, vanilla, and cinnamon notes are bold and assertive. Genuine sweet pumpkin and whipped topping give it the chewy malt and sugary backbone it needs. I get hints of leafy hop tones and just the slightest dash of alcohol as I dwell further into the depths of this magnificent and complex aroma.

The taste follows suit very well. Everything is just perfect in here, there's even considerable sourness and a leafy hop finish. All the flavors create an explosion of sweet and spicy complexity: clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Fruitiness and sour tones come from green apple tones just as much as pumpkin. The alcohol warms everything up without a harsh edge.

The body is not too heavy, but it does have thickness. It's slightly syrupy and accompanied by abundant carbonation and crispness. The finish is on the dry side, demanding it be drank with persistence.

Pumking is certainly the heavy hitter of the pumpkin ales, but in terms of pleasant balance, abundant flavor, and drinkability, this has to be my hands down favorite. Not to mention it's $8-9 a six pack...

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2011 20:52:44 | More by climax

drgonzo2k2

California

4/5  rDev -5.7%

05-19-2013 18:20:20 | More by drgonzo2k2

Jade

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +0.2%

05-16-2013 01:53:09 | More by Jade

earlholman

District of Columbia

5/5  rDev +17.9%

05-14-2013 13:35:10 | More by earlholman

Rob315

Kentucky

4/5  rDev -5.7%

05-13-2013 20:41:07 | More by Rob315

pk18

Wisconsin

4.5/5  rDev +6.1%

05-13-2013 01:45:18 | More by pk18

mikeburd1128

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -5.7%

05-12-2013 17:26:40 | More by mikeburd1128

ToddHolder

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +0.2%

05-11-2013 02:02:10 | More by ToddHolder

Damian74Shensky

South Carolina

3.75/5  rDev -11.6%

05-02-2013 23:21:03 | More by Damian74Shensky

TheBeerAlmanac

Kentucky

4.25/5  rDev +0.2%

04-29-2013 00:11:35 | More by TheBeerAlmanac

GMUPatriot_inKansas

Kansas

4.5/5  rDev +6.1%

04-28-2013 00:02:46 | More by GMUPatriot_inKansas

acslatersbtb

Colorado

5/5  rDev +17.9%

04-13-2013 23:08:41 | More by acslatersbtb

Arsenal0328

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev +0.2%

04-11-2013 01:25:44 | More by Arsenal0328

litheum94

California

4/5  rDev -5.7%

04-03-2013 13:51:54 | More by litheum94

spants

Missouri

4.25/5  rDev +0.2%

04-02-2013 00:20:39 | More by spants

Lognar

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -11.6%

04-01-2013 04:42:24 | More by Lognar

bigbeerfan

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +12%

04-01-2013 03:53:48 | More by bigbeerfan

vidguy17

Iowa

4.5/5  rDev +6.1%

03-30-2013 14:45:13 | More by vidguy17

Jamison85

Indiana

4.5/5  rDev +6.1%

03-24-2013 21:22:47 | More by Jamison85

jagada

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +0.2%

03-23-2013 03:03:40 | More by jagada

weonfire

Kentucky

4.25/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A - Almost copper, zero head, zero lacing, carbonation creates movement in surface of brew throughout entirety.

S - Real nice. love the spices. Cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg and obviously pumpkin.

T - Initially spices blend together very nicely and come together for a sweet (but not overly sweet) taste. finish is slight acidic, very low hops and barely a touch of booze. 8ABVs are eliminated.

M - Nice and frothy, full and thick, high viscosity and the spices linger. great combo.

O - This has to be a pumpkin brew all can enjoy. Flavors and spices and potent but mellow. Nothing dramatic with any one flavor. It is certainly a pleasure to enjoy this pumpkin brew in March.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2013 23:39:35 | More by weonfire

Skyjmpr

Missouri

4.75/5  rDev +12%

03-18-2013 02:36:49 | More by Skyjmpr

garrettbutler

Kansas

5/5  rDev +17.9%

03-17-2013 00:37:56 | More by garrettbutler

RollBeerTide

Tennessee

3/5  rDev -29.2%

03-15-2013 09:06:37 | More by RollBeerTide

M1k3y

Tennessee

4.5/5  rDev +6.1%

03-15-2013 06:26:58 | More by M1k3y