Schlafly Pumpkin Ale - Saint Louis Brewery / Schlafly Tap Room

dtalou27

Illinois

5/5  rDev +17.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Been waiting over a year to try this beer, and to no surprise, it is now my all time favorite beer.... To bad it is only available this time of year, oh well, it makes it that much better!

Appearance - dark Amber color, with hint of orange. Medium head on this beer.

Smell - Smells like a Pumpkin Pie!!

Taste - Taste is even better than it smells! You can tell this beer has a decent amount of alcohol, without the alcohol being overwhelming at all. The blend of spices is perfect, and can be tasted each sip.

Mouthfeel - Malty, with a great carbonation.

Overall - Again, I've been waiting for this beer all year, and it did NOT disappoint. If I could give this beer a higher rating than a 5 overall, I would.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2011 04:32:34 | More by dtalou27

challenja

Virginia

5/5  rDev +17.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A: A deep amber orange, one hell of a good looking beer! Slight carbonation, nice small white head.

Smell: Wow. This is really sweet and spicy. Aroma of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, pumpkin puree and a huge smell of candied caramels and butter toffee.

T: This is what a Pumpkin Beer must taste like. Who ever brews beers must find the recipe and then mass produce this sucker and make millions! This is a slightly tamer but spicer offering than S.T PumKing. This one has more carbonation and has more cloves and Cinnamon running through out. Nutmeg is on par with Weyerbacher and S.T.

M: Medium bodied with a nice fullness that most Pumpkin beers lack, that is why this one is #2 all time in Pumpkin beers. One hell of a smooth creamy pumpkin spiced beer for sure.

O: This is my second favorite pumpkin beer of all time and my second favorite seasonal beer as well. I only wish I could buy at least 12 of them before they sell out in mere minutes at local craft beer stores. People call up to find this one much like KBS and CBS by Founders, and Hop Slam by Bell's. I guess I have to start emailing and bugging the hell out of them too, or maybe I will call my boy Jonathan at Hop n Wine because he is one of the major distributors here on the East Coast. The beer god's do smile on me from time to time. Seriously if you find it, buy it! All of It!!!! and then sell it on EBAY..

Serving type: bottle

Serving type: on-tap

10-29-2011 23:39:16 | More by challenja

jtierney89

New Jersey

5/5  rDev +17.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Beautiful tarnished brass color with a thin pumpkin colored head. Smells like sweet sweet pumpkin pie, whip cream and all. Cinnamon and pumpkin dominate the nostrils. Vanilla cardamon and clove as well.

Rich creamy mouthfeel. Light effervescence. Pumpkin pie in a bottle. Big and rich yet remains refreshing on the spicy finish. Well blended. Simple put, one of the best pumpkin beers i've ever had. Genuinely tastes like a cool slice of pumpkin pie! I love it. Oh and also, for that 8% alcohol, you can't detect a thing.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2012 21:30:17 | More by jtierney89

thebrood1987

New Jersey

5/5  rDev +17.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Strong smell of nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, and smells like a sweet pumpkin candle. On the first sip its a sweet taste of all the spices I mentioned in the smell coming together with a pungent pumpkin pie taste with a slight bitterness at the end.

Its hopped just right to add a crispness to the sweetness of all the spices and pumpkin they put in this. The spices do overpower the pumpkin but not too much so. It really doesn't detract anything from the taste this beer is a excellent.

Excellent mouthfeel and very full bodied. This is an excellent sweet drinkable pumpkin ale that really delivers in smell taste and all of the above.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2012 01:15:41 | More by thebrood1987

Hades-GreatDivide

5/5  rDev +17.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Hands down the best pumpkin ale around. However the taste is very very sweet. Its like drinking a pumpkin pie. The downfall is that its nearly impossible to find because liquor stores only receive 1 case per store here due to its limit of tanks on their brewing facility. The nutmeg and spices are very distinct compared to any other Oktoberfest. Women love this drink as well. Schlafly outdid their-selves on this 1 of kind pumpkin beer. Wish it was around all year round.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2012 23:26:09 | More by Hades-GreatDivide

BobbyBeerman

Illinois

4.93/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Sampled for a while, reviewed on 2/22/08. Poured from the bottle to my favorite pub glass using the "perfect pour" method.

Appearance: Amber with a hint of orange color showing through. Clear. Light head that's maybe a finger that fades leaving a little lacing.

Smell: No other way to describe this but pumpkin pie. Obvious nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger.

Taste: Just like the smell. Rich flavor that mimics pumpkin pie. Almost expecting bits of crust in there.

Mouth feel: Rich, medium to heavy body.

Drinkability: I LOVE THIS! This is my favorite of the available pumpin ales in southern Illinois followed closely by O'Fallon's Pumpkin Ale. Rich flavor that isn't weak and isn't too sweet. Even at 8% ABV the alcohol taste doesn't come across. Too bad this isn't a year round beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2008 04:28:16 | More by BobbyBeerman

lokiikol

Maryland

4.93/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Draft.

Color: clear, deep amber in color.

Head: thick, off-white, dissipates fairly quickly with light lacing.

Aroma: heavy spice, with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg, perhaps a slight clove undertone, minimal fruit or pumpkin notes. Smells inviting and rich.

Mouthfeel: fairly creamy, with a slight carbonation.

Taste: light malt flavor up front, giving way to a medium spice aftertaste reminiscent of the aroma, and it lingers and entices for another drink. Pumpkin pie is not quite the right way to describe the balance, but it gets you in the ballpark.

Overall: I have had this beer style many times before, and I have not had another pumpkin ale that even approaches this one in terms of quality, balance, and taste. Despite being an imperial ale, it does not have the alcohol taste that usually accompanies such a distinction, and although the spices are pronounced, they are not overpowering nor the only character of this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

11-24-2011 21:12:55 | More by lokiikol

Megahertz

Missouri

4.93/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

12oz bottle dated 10-AUG-12 into a Hoffman House chalice. Consumed on 21-AUG-12.
Served at approximately 50F (cool).

A - Rough pour straight down the middle generates an off-white to tan, tightly packed head that leaves a considerable residual. Brilliantly clear deep red in color with the appearance of mild carbonation. Some more lacing would be nice, but that's about all I can knock it for.

S - A plethora of pumpkin spices and even a whif of actual pumpkin aroma! Knocks my socks off. "This is a slice of pumpkin pie I am smelling, not a beer."

T - Initially very strong with pumpkin spices with a caramelly sweetness and cleansing carbonation. Fades into a malty, bready, toasty mid with a devilish grin of freshly carved jack-o-lantern flavor. Finish is sweet and malty with an embracing, clean bitterness, lingering with a mild taste of... is that toasted pumpkin seeds? Alcohol is not apparent until the drinking is nearly complete.

M - Heavy body with mild to medium carbonation. Only gets more drinkable as it is consumed.

O - ♫ This is halloween, everybody make a scene ♫ Superior to prior vintages, which is saying a lot. The definitive pumpkin beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2012 22:05:28 | More by Megahertz

Gladius270

Illinois

4.93/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A- Copper color, not much head or lacing here. Literally the ONLY fault with this beer, IMO.

S- Pumpkin pie. It's as simple as that. Nice, beautiful, freshly made pumpkin pie, and its traditional spices.

T- Pumpkin pie spices dominate this at first. There is a clean hop bitterness in there as well. Finishes with a taste of pure pumpkin. Though it may be my imagination, it's almost sweet enough for me to pick up traces of whipped cream. When it gets toward the bottom of the glass, the alcohol begins to come through with a nice, warming quality.

M- I always find this one to be luxurious. Nice, smooth, and creamy.

O- This is one of my favorite beers ever. Hands down. It is nicely balanced, and it delivers exactly what it advertises. I anxiously await this one every year, and this year the brew is outstanding.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2012 00:50:45 | More by Gladius270

antlerwrestler19

Nebraska

4.9/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Received 6er in a trade with nlabruyere, thanks Nate!

Pours a magnificent ruby red/brown with deep orange tones - a small light cinnamon head falls just as fast as it rose leaving no lacing and only a thin ring atop the beer. This. Smells. Amazing. Spicy pumpkin-y goodness - gingerbread cookies, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, brown sugar, caramel candies - everything I look for in a pumpkin ale. The taste is incredible as well - like a heavily spiced slice o' pumpkin pie with a nice dollop of sweet whipped cream. Creamy, rich, and bold are some fitting descriptors of this phenomenal brew. God made fall a season so this particular beer could be enjoyed by man (or woman).

Cheers!!

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2011 04:36:00 | More by antlerwrestler19

CraftBeerDrinker

Missouri

4.9/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

enjoying these beers one by one in bottle and then on-tap, starting with the local brewers. since this one is my favorite, i'm going to be doing two reviews to start out my beeradvocate reviews.

poured awesome off the tap with good head on the beer and has a dark body. tons of spice in the smell but then its seems lighter than pumpkin pie. the pumpkin pie is huge in the taste and is nice and strong. sweet but pumpkin pie all the way through! about to buy another 6 pack to save in my fridge for the family.

Serving type: on-tap

10-01-2011 03:55:32 | More by CraftBeerDrinker

T-Leb

Missouri

4.9/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

I never even drank a pumpkin beer until someone told me "If you like pumpkin pie you would probably enjoy Schlafly Pumpkin Ale." That person is correct. Schlafly Pumpkin Ales is my favorite seasonal pumpkin/squash/yam beer.

The appearance is the only part I can take any points away from as it doesn't have much of a long lasting head or lacing to speak of after being poured.

The beer literally smells and tastes like pumpkin pie. I love pumpkin pie! It is pure goodness. The ladies, in StL at least, love this beer. A real seasonal crowd pleaser.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2013 20:03:18 | More by T-Leb

pmcadamis

Illinois

4.88/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Tried this at the taproom in STL.

A - Dark ruby with some suggestions of orange. Very deep and alluring hue with a two finger head of white lace that leaves an astonishing amount of lace on the glass.

S - This smells EXACTLY like this: Pumpkin pie with a graham cracker crust and whipped cream on top sprinkled with a light powdering of cinnamon. Nice! All of those components are vivid and real to my nose. It's actually amazing how much this smells like a real pumpkin pie....maybe even slightly chilled with ice cream on top.

T - The flavor echoes the nose. Authentic pumpkin pie in all of it's autumnal glory. Pumpkin pie filling is there more than homemade pumpkin pie, but i actually prefer the store bought stuff (no offense to any of the women in my life, but Cub Foods sells a mean pumpkin pie). I'm just really impressed with this one.

M - Medium bodied with a slightly oily feel that contributes to the pie like feel. The finish is sweet, although I can feel some dry hops trying to get through. Thankfully, the hops are downplayed in favor of malty sweetness.

D - Outstanding. This is an amazing beer, and I'm glad that I was able to try it at the source! Fall is my favorite season, and this is just about the perfect beer for that special time of year. I'll be picking some up next fall fo' sho.'

Serving type: on-tap

01-15-2008 05:58:50 | More by pmcadamis

DCon

Missouri

4.88/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Bought a 12 fl oz bottle of this from The Wolf Public House for $2. Poured from the bottle w/ a Huge Pumpkin on it and Bottled with Love On into a Samuel Adams Imperial Pint Glass.

Aroma- Great amount of spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin pie! Especially pumpkin pie! Very strong and can tell there is more ingredient in this than any other Schlafly.

Appearance- Pours a 1.5 finger head that is off-white and has good retention. The body is a mixed color of dark orange/light-medium brown color with tons of ingredients floating around. Good lacing follows up this beer.

Flavor- Pumpkin pie in a glass! Starts with the initial taste of pie with a nice cinnamon sugar and spice. Very sweet and enjoyable.

Mouthfeel- Medium-Full Bodied, Medium Carbonation, Smooth & Crisp, and leaves tones of spice and pumpkin pie on the palate! Almost like its Thanksgiving in September!

Overall Impression- While this is one of my top 5 brews of all time, I just can't get enough of this one! It represents the Pumpkin Ale style PERFECTLY in everyway possible. I had to pop one of these before sending off over 48 brews to people all over the States. I recommend you trying this as well (have problems getting it, let me know! I'll be glad to make a trade for this).

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2011 23:32:22 | More by DCon

johnnybgood1999

Virginia

4.83/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

After all the generic pumpkin ales offered by the big breweries this was heaven sent. I always wondered when I drank things like Harvest Moons Pumpkin Ale, why bother making a fall pumpkin ale when there is no pumpkin flavor?
That is not the case here. It poured a medium-dark red with a hint of orange. A pumpkin pie scent is apparant in the smell. Hope began to build within me. After the first sip I was won over. It tasted like pumpkin pie and beer! Any man's dream during a crisp Autumn season. And it is so drinkable for 8% abv. Something to look forward to at harvest time. Very, very, well done Schlafly.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2009 06:37:40 | More by johnnybgood1999

charliedango

Illinois

4.78/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

I'm not going to go into great detail about it's appearance, taste, smell and whatnot as that is the traditional fare of this site. Instead I will comment on how great this beer really is. Out of all the pumpkin ales I have sampled this year, Schlafly has produced the only ale worthy of being called pumpkin ale.

I've tried New Holland, Michelob, O'Fallon, Harvest Moon, Shipyard, and others this year and the only one that truly captured the rich pumpkin flavor one would expect from a pumpkin ale was Schlafly. This is definitely my favorite of the season even ranking above my favorite Märzens.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2008 17:03:24 | More by charliedango

mattsdenney

Tennessee

4.78/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Temp dropped to sub-70 today and college football is on...perfect time for a Schafly Pumpkin Ale.

Appearance: A thick consistency, hazy, amber in color with a bubbly white head.

Smell: Smells amazing. A blend of spices and pumpkin that's distinct and aromatic.

Taste & Mouthfeel: The most flavorful and non-artifical tasting pumpkin beer out there. Schafly has reached the perfect balance of pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Feels creamy and thick but not too heavy, especially for the abv.

Overall: I've been looking forward to this beer for months and was waiting for the right feel to break one open. Now that fall weather is here, this will be stocked in my fridge until I feel the need to switch to a winter warmer.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2011 01:27:25 | More by mattsdenney

chicagobill13

Illinois

4.78/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I can't get this in chicago so it is a treat when I go down to St Louis or a friend goes down.

Color is a amber look.

Smell you can smell the nutneg and pumpkin.

Taste and mouthfeel has a very well balance with a kick. This is a very nice treat in the fall. Good with desserts or just sitting watching football games. This to me is best pumpkin ale on the market. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2011 22:59:12 | More by chicagobill13

BeerFiend2002

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +12%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into tulip glass:

Deep reddish amber color with about a half finger of tan head. Love that color.

Smells of cinnamon and nutmeg, your typical spices. A nice sweetness pokes its head in there too.

Very well balanced. Their is just enough spice in there to hold up against the big squashy backbone of this beer. The back end and exhale taste just like a slice of grandma's pumpkin pie. No hint of the alcohol whatsoever, which is great considering it is an 8% ABV brew.

Nice, medium-bodied mouthfeel. Great for an after dinner desert.

Exceptional brew. Well-balanced and delicious take on the style. Would definitely drink again.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2011 16:45:19 | More by BeerFiend2002

flannelman808

California

4.75/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A: Pours a bright ruby/orange ocher and is topped with a fine off white head. Retention is not great lacing is ok.

S: Glorious autumn spices jump out of the glass. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove oh boy.

T: This is fantastic stuff. I don't think they used actual pumpkins but that doesn't bother me one bit. Big spicy flavors aforementioned are very present with a pie crust sweet backing (though not too sweet). This stuff is amazingly drinkable and delicious.

M: lingering and spry.

O: fantastic beer, one of my favorites of the style!

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2011 21:44:54 | More by flannelman808

Bubbalito

Virginia

4.75/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Pour: Dark copper, nice white 1 finger head. Tons of bubbles streaming off the bottom.

Smell: Holy crap, bright pumpkin and nutmeg that you can smell from a foot away. There is a fluffy sweetness that is in there and even a bit of oranges. This smells exactly like a pumpkin pie!!


Taste: Again, pumpkin, nutmeg, cinnamon, oranges and dare I say whip cream on top! The taste lingers in your mouth for days. Nice full mouthfeel without being too thick or syrupy. This is exactly like drinking a pumpkin pie, only better

Overall: I am going directly to the store and picking up a six pack of this for thanksgiving dinner, amazing, amazing beer!! If you like pumpkin pie, TRY THIS BEER

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2012 00:42:00 | More by Bubbalito

n2185

North Carolina

4.73/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a clear, coppery orange with four fingers of off-white head that recedes into a thin ring with a little lacing.

S: Typical pumpkin spice notes at first: cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, etc., but they don't dominate. Vanilla and pumpkin aromas follow. There are some graham cracker aromas that follow as well. Smells like liquid pumpkin pie.

T: Similar to the aroma, the spice notes are there but don't dominate. Creamy vanilla and pumpkin flavors blend perfectly with the spices with a finish that is reminiscent of a graham cracker crust. Absolutely delicious.

M: Medium body with lowish carbonation, this beer is very creamy and smooth, which compliments the flavors very well.

O: The best pumpkin ale I've had. I try as many of this style as I can get my hands on, but this is probably the only one that I'd truly describe as "pumpkin pie in a bottle." Absolutely amazing beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2011 17:24:35 | More by n2185

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

4.73/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

12 oz bottle poured into a Sierra Nevada imperial pint.

A - Schlafly Pumpkin Ale pours a crystal clear, beautiful bronzed amber color that shows off it's carbonation bubbles streaming from nucleation point to well-formed head. The light khaki foam withers away pretty quickly though, and what's worse, it leaves no trace of it's presence in lacing.

S - If you like your pumpkin beers to smell like pumpkin pie, Schlafly Pumpkin Ale is the one for you! This bad-boy is abounding with roasted gourd and spiciness, nearly the perfect aroma to follow up a Thanksgiving meal. Toasted wheat bread and sweet, dense Munich malt sweetness provide a rich backbone for the heavy-handed additions of cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg. Dry pie crust completes the circle for an exceptional aroma!

T - Loads of spice up front keeps on track with the beer's total pumpkin pie approach. Cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg return, overshadowing the actual pumpkin (though it's still there) for that rich pie taste. Hints of toasted malt unravel into caramel sweetness before finishing with mild alcohol spice.

M - Rich and smooth with a full body, Schlafly Pumpkin Ale's spiciness lingers throughout into it's mildly warm, spicy alcohol finish. This beer is sweet but not cloying, faintly dry, and lip-smackingly good with an unbalanced (and rightfully so) completion.

O - If it's a liquid dessert you're looking for, look no further than Schlafly Pumpkin Ale; it might as well be liquified pumpkin pie. Heavier than the normal pumpkin beer, it's got an understated kick with a finish that pulls you right back in. This is one fall treat that is not to be missed!

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2012 00:13:10 | More by BeerFMAndy

becktone

Ohio

4.72/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Eye: This brew is dark copper in color, crystal clear, and lively looking with carbonation. The head has great retention, great lacing and is creamy looking. I don't think that they get any better looking than this. Simply one of the best looking brews (of any style) I've seen.

Nose: Great aroma here. Smells just like Grandma's pumpkin pie. I mean its all there the pie right after Thanksgiving dinner with the cool whip on it. Perfect balance of spices and malt. I don't think that they get much better than this, it is right on I couldn't ask for more. Great blend of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.

Tongue: Again, great balance between spice and malt backbone. Long after the brew has been swallowed the spicy pumpkin pie flavors still remain.Tastes better than pumpkin pie in my opinion, would that pumpkin pie could taste like this it would be quite amazing. Not quite as impressive as the aroma but still the best damn pumpkin ale I've had to date.

Mouthfeel and drinkability: Full bodied with carbonation that doesn't get in the way of the flavor of this brew. Unlike some other pumpkin ales("cough" Jack's pumpkin spice ale cough") it doesn't use carbonation to cover up what it lacks in body and flavor. Rather it compliments. This is a very very drinkable beer. I would drink this all night, in fact I think that I'll soon be buying a case of this. I don't care how much it costs because it is worth it. The very best pumpkin ale I've had to date.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2007 04:20:25 | More by becktone

tpd975

Florida

4.72/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Huge Thanks to mikesgroove for this sweet treat.

A: Pours a copper hue with a nice tan foamy head. The retention is low with no lace noted.

S: Wonderful aromas only to be outdone by Cigar City and Southern Tier. Tons of spice with bold notes of ginger and cinnamon. Light pumpkin aromas hang in the back.

T: Wow this is a top tier pumpkin brew. Tons of sugary sweetness up front. Hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice. Light tones of pumpkin show through. I really like this one. It may be the sweetest of all the pumpkin beers though. If you hate sweet you will not like it, if you love it like I do, this is a winner.

M: Medium in body, smooth with good carbonation.

D: Very, I could pound a sixer of these. My third favorite pumpkin brew, its some tasty shit. Pure dessert in a bottle.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2009 18:26:54 | More by tpd975