Schlafly Pumpkin Ale - Saint Louis Brewery / Schlafly Tap Room

mtnbeer87

Virginia

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

A- orange/light brown in color. Half a finger of head at most(maybe small bc I'm just starting to review/pour beer).

S- Strong of cinnamon, nutmeg, and sweet pumpkin. Almost smells like a seasonal candle.

T- Very good pumpkin taste and strong taste of spices.
After taste of dry pumpkin but delicious!

M- A fair medium/kind of watery imo but I haven't found a pumpkin ale as heavy as I'd like it to be yet.

O- I was very happy with this beer. The best pumpkin taste out of the ones I've tried.

The beer was really good. I likes everything about it except, I'm trying to find one with a thicker mouth feel. This has been my first review. If you have the time please let me know how it is and what , if anything I should do different. Thanks!

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2012 22:57:43 | More by mtnbeer87

cdrogers

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Probably the best pumpkin beer that my wife and I have found. It was a nice rich copper color with an off-white head. Smelled heavily of pumpkin and a subtle spiciness. The pumpkin flavor was not overpowering but definitely let you know you had a pumpkin beer. I say this because many call there beers "pumpkin x" but very few achieve the taste imo. This beer should be at the top of any seasonal pumpkin lover's list.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2012 21:32:08 | More by cdrogers

Thehuntmaster

South Africa

3.83/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

355ml bottle 8,0% Abv.
Served lightly chilled in an over sized wine glass.
Bottled on: 13 August 2012

A massive thanks to Futura123 for sending me two bottles of this as extras!

Appearance: The beer pours a bright red-orange colour and crystal clear. A rough pour yields a good sized head that lasts fairly well and leaves a some patchy lace.

Smell: Mmmmm, this smells absolutely delicious! Tons of spice - cinnamon, nutmeg and all spice. Sweet pumpkin, caramelized brown sugar and vanilla are also very well noted.

Taste: Sadly the flavour is quite week after the aroma - the spices are noted, along with some pumpkin (seems closer to raw than the sweet cooked pumpkin of the nose). Bready malt and a little graininess is about all else that is on offer. The finish is short and fairly watery.

Mouthfeel: I felt that the mouthfeel was the weakest aspect of Pumpking, but Schlafly Pumpkin somehow manages to be a little more disappointing. Medium bodied (maybe a little lighter), with a medium-high level of fairly smooth carbonation.

Overall: I loved the nose on this one, but the flavour and mouthfeel were rather disappointing.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2012 21:03:12 | More by Thehuntmaster

NoLeafClover44

Delaware

4.05/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle courtesy of AlCaponeJunior. Poured into an Allagash chalice. Bottled August 21, 2012.

A - Pours a bright orange-amber color with about a finger of long-lasting head. The foam is off-white and extremely dense. Leaves behind a tiered lacing.

S - Sweetness is dominant with the usual pumpkin beer suspects. Cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and graham crackers. Fleshy pumpkin aroma offers some diversity from the spicy sweetness.

T - Sweet cinnamon applesauce upfront followed by biscuity malts. Solid pumpkin flavor on the back end with a spicy aftertaste of nutmeg and cinnamon.

M - Thick body with creamy feel. The carbonation is perfectly light and smooth.

O - This is one of the best pumpkin beers I have had. I am still searching for that perfect pumpkin that doesn't overdo it on the spices and has a rich, thick feel. This one comes pretty close. I was pleased to get this as an extra in a trade and I will probably seek it out next fall.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2012 01:15:20 | More by NoLeafClover44

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

TwelveOunces

Kentucky

4.1/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 Oz poured into a tulip

A- Pours hazy orange with a finger and a half of an off tan head. SOme alcohol legs, surprising head retention.

S- Cinnamon and nutmeg. Some brown sugar and all spice. Simple and well done.

T- A lot of cinnamon and nutmeg. Really dominant in the taste and smell. There is a slight note of pumpkin flavor in this one. All spice, caramel. Very simple yet extremely well done.

M- Mouthfeel is there in this beer. It is syrupy smooth and spicy. Strong but not quite a sipper.

O- This is a go to pumpkin beer. I had heard its as good as Pumpking but I dont think it's quite there. This is a great representation of the style.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2012 02:00:15 | More by TwelveOunces

majinsnake

West Virginia

3.85/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

I just had helped my brother move to his new house and I told others who were helping him move...that I am doing this solely for the beer that was promised as a reward for moving items.

The first thing I said once I tasted it... was "Ohhhh that's good". That first sip catches your attention.

Dark and tastey.

Serving type - Bottle

Appearance - Bright orange.

Smell - I did not pay attention to the smell. I need to remember to do that to make an accurate listing.

Taste - To date.... This is the best pumpkin ale I have ever had. Better than Samuel Adams version. Flavor is key and this has it. I was shocked and impressed.

Mouthfeel - I enjoyed drinking it. You'll certainly get a mouthfeel. In-between thick and thin.

I shall certainly try this title again.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2012 00:40:38 | More by majinsnake

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured out as a really nice looking clear burnt orange color. The head was white but it came and went rather quickly not leaving any lacing at all behind. The smell of the beer is really nice, it's got a good balance of sweet malt with spice notes. The taste of the beer is impressive, it's sweet with a light toasted note and the spices come in and make this beer an exceptional autumn experience. The mouthfeel is decent, it's carbonated and medium bodied, not too bad. Overall it's a very good Pumpkin Ale. very glad I got to try this one.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2012 19:14:20 | More by Knapp85

stckhndlr

Virginia

4.48/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- darker orange amber than other pumpkins. Soft foamy head. Slightly hazy.

S- good pumpkin notes with a big hit of cinnamon and sugar. I almost had to do a double take to make sure it wasn't apple cinnamon. Great smell.

T- yes yes yes. This is the flavor that sets the standard. Big pumpkin flavor. Cinnamon and sugar and a finish that has a candy sweetness to it.

M- malty and smooth. Too easy to drink.

O- this is my leader of the pack so far. Awesome beer.

Serving type: on-tap

10-11-2012 19:34:07 | More by stckhndlr

Alieniloquium

Florida

3.58/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle poured into a Lost Abbey tulip.

Appearance - Deep amber, burnt orange color. Clear. No real head. Just a few wisps on the surface.

Smell - Big pumpkin pie smell. Maybe more spice than pumpkin, but it's nice.

Taste - The spice is immediately stronger in the taste, but the pumpkin rounds it out nicely as the spice drops off. It's got a strong pumpkin flavor in the back end, but it takes while to come through. Slightly earthy hop bitterness in the finish.

Mouthfeel - It's a little overcarbonated. I want it to be a bit smoother. Not the slightest bit boozy.

Overall - I'm spoiled by Good Gourd. This isn't a spice bomb, but it still doesn't let the pumpkin shine the way I want. I do appreciate that it isn't boozy as hell like Good Gourd, though.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2012 01:05:12 | More by Alieniloquium

dbrauneis

New Jersey

4.23/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a crystal clear dark amber in color with light to moderate amounts of visible carbonation near the surface of the beer. The beer has a two finger tall creamy beige head that reduces to a thick film covering the entire surface of the beer evenly. Moderate amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate aromas of pumpkin and caramel malts over some lighter notes of pumpkin pie spices (nutmeg and cinnamon). Lighter notes of spicy hops.

T: Light amounts of caramel malt sweetness upfront underneath the strong flavors of pumpkin. The finish has a moderate amount of pumpkin pie spices - primarily cinnamon with some nutmeg as well. Light amounts of bitterness towards the finish from some spicy hops.

M: Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Smooth with light amounts of dryness in the finish.

O: The alcohol in this beer is well hidden making this beer very easy to drink. There are very good flavors of pumpkin and pumpkin pie spices are well balanced. Definitely a great example for the style and one I will have again.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2012 23:16:28 | More by dbrauneis

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

jmcrofts

4.2/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bought a 6-pack of this beer after hearing a lot of hype about it from some friends. Did not disappoint!

Appearance - Nice dark red, with decent head.

Smell - FANTASTIC. Very warm and spicy, with strong pumpkin, cinnamon, and roasted malt notes. Smells like mom's pumpkin pie cooling on the windowsill.

Taste - Sweet on the front of the tongue, with good pumpkin and cinnamon flavors. Buttery cracker flavors round it out, making it feel like eating pumpkin pie, crust and all. More boozy than I expected, but not enough to cover up the sweetness. Very nice.

Mouthfeel - Light with medium carbonation, and some nice alcohol warmth.

Overall - Excellent beer. On the sweet side, but it compliments the cinnamon, pumpkin, and butter flavors that dominate the taste. My only complaint is there's a little too much booze taste, this is an 8.0% beer and it shows. I still highly recommend it for anyone who loves warm, comforting fall flavors.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2012 01:50:40 | More by jmcrofts

BeerBuckeye

Ohio

4.38/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- Pour a solid dark amber color, clear, with foamy 1 finger head.

S- Pleasant. Caramel malt, hints of cinnamon, pumpkin, clove, and allspice. Very nice.

T- Um wow. It's FULL of pumpkin pie taste. Like biting into a fresh piece. Tons of cinnamon and nutmeg, even hints of Graham cracker. Clove and all spice. Spectacular.

M- incredibly smooth, full bodied.

Overall- Outstanding! Perhaps the best pumpkin ale I've ever had

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2012 00:07:42 | More by BeerBuckeye

Shumania

Virginia

4.38/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

12 ounce bottle poured into a DFH signature glass

A: dark amber orange that blocks all light. Large head that dissipates quickly

S: sweet pumpkin, cinnamon and all spice. Great smell exactly like pumpkin pie, but not artificial like some others

T: exactly like the smell and the pumpkin comes through at the end.

M: mild carbonation and is on the thicker side. Very full mouthfeel

This may be my favorite pumpkin ale out there. Smell and taste are great!

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2012 00:46:34 | More by Shumania

hardy008

Minnesota

4.58/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours clear dark orange with a two finger off white head with good retention and some lacing. This is one of he nicest smelling pumpkin beers I have ever had. Cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, pumpkin, and some biscuit malt. Smells like pumpkin pie with the crust. The aroma is not too little, or too much. It is just right how it is.

The taste is as good as the smell. Sweet, without being cloying. Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, pumpkin, and some biscuit malt. Tastes just like a very good pumpkin pie in a glass, with the crust. This is the best tasting pumpkin beer I have ever had to date.

Medium bodied with modest carbonation. Smooth and easy to drink. Very nicely made. If I could get this more easily, I would drink it all the time.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2012 03:11:22 | More by hardy008

KYGunner

Kentucky

4.33/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Never have I smelled a beer and been taken back to my childhood, but this is the exception. My mother would make pumpkin bread at this time of the year but one whiff of Schaflys and I was back in the 70's. the label states it is brewed with pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove and its evident in scent and taste. Solely my opinion but this is easily the best pumpkin ale I've ever tasted. The biggest draw is that my wife has now decided to experiment with craft brews because of the ale!

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2012 02:36:27 | More by KYGunner

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

4.33/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Finally getting around to this one. 'Tis the season.

$10.99/sixer @ Nick's of Clinton in Waldorf, MD.

The beer is transparent and appears a dark amber hue, sporting a half inch of beige head.

The aroma offers autumn spices, cinnamon, nutmeg, squash, brown sugar.

The flavor brings a nice malt backbone to support the sweet, spicy flavors. Right away, I can tell this brew is a notch above most other pumpkin beers I have had. Flavorful and well balanced. Lots of spice character, but done gracefully. Liongering cinnamon, slightly dry. Many beers of this ilk becoming cloying rather quickly, whereas Schlafly Pumpkin Ale beseeches the consumer to keep coming back for more.

Light to medium in body with a smoth feel on the palate. Soft but present carbonation.

Overall, this is a winner. I'm happy to have five more to ring in my favorite season.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2012 20:10:10 | More by Huhzubendah

rodkin

Missouri

4.1/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a dark orange, small head.

Smell is cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, pumpkin, maybe a hint of chocolate. Really just smells exactly like pumpkin pie. This is fantastic smelling.

Taste is a letdown after smell, but still good. Same flavors, but not quite as big. Slightly sweet, almost sugary. Really reminds me of pumpkin pie. Actually, this would go really well with a pecan pie. It's slightly warming, which is nice.

Mouthfeel is fine. Nice carbonation, medium thick, slightly creamy.

A great ale for the season. Really tasty, warming, fantastic smelling. Not hugely familiar with pumpkin ales, but I definitely like this one.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2012 00:40:33 | More by rodkin

rlee1390

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A-Clear ruby orange, some carbonation, two finger off white head.

S-Pumpkin goodness. Spices, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, nutty notes in general. Just good.

T-Very similar to the nose. Like pumpkin pie, great balance between the spices and pumpkin notes.

M-Light to medium bodied, some carbonation.

O-Need to do a blind tasting of this and Pumking. Both are amazing and the class of the field.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2012 20:39:29 | More by rlee1390

57md

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Decided to crack open the first bottle of my six-pack yesterday to celebrate the autumnal equinox. Pours a radiant burnt orange with a healthy finger of head that dissipated in a blink of the eye. The nose has pumpkin for sure as well as a hint of something sweet. There is a pumpkin taste, but it is also balanced with some subtle malty sweetness, especially on the finish. I am not really getting any of the pie spices that the brewer claims were used in brewing this beer; rather the sweet notes on the end appear to be from the malt alone.
The body is relatively hearty and I think that this would pair well with a turkey dinner or any fare that included game meat.

Upon further examination: There is a touch of pie spice present once this ale warms quite a bit. I would advise serving this closer to cellar temperature than fridge temperature.

Up Side: The brewers included a quote from one of my favorite authors, Henry David Thoreau: “I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.”
Down Side: After searching for this beer for a long time and finally tracking it down this year, I was hoping that (like Thoreau) it would be transcendental. It was not quite that, but it certainly is a solid effort at brewing a fall classic.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2012 04:40:08 | More by 57md

siege06nd

Virginia

4.4/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A. Mmmm, pours a beautiful dark copper color. A full finger of cream colored head erupts and rapidly settles to a quarter finger ring that lingers quite nicely. Big soapy lacing down the sides of the glass. Very very very very nice looking pumpkin ale.

S. Like liquid pumpkin pie. Waves of pie spices, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, brown sugar. Some mild roasted pumpkin and moderate caramel malt backbone as well, but spice is the main attraction here.

T. Follows the nose with a ton of spices, truly a spice bomb. But the malt backbone holds up and provides a bready, crusty background to offset the spices. Some nice, mild vegetal notes from the roasted squash poke out every now and then. Excellent.

M. Near perfect. Creamy mouthfeel with excellent balance between spice and malt, though this is definitely a spice forward beer. The 8% ABV is remarkably well-hidden, this could get people into trouble in a hurry. This is the closest to "liquid pumpkin pie" I have encountered, and it is damn fine.

O. A near perfect pumpkin ale. For me, it's between this and Alewerks Pumpkin Ale for the best in the land. Schlafly is more spice forward. Alewerks is more malt forward. Both are delicious. The disappointing thing, however, is that my distributor tells me this is it for NoVA/DC for Schlafly Pumpkin for the rest of the year. How is this possible?!? Hey Schlafly, people actually like to drink Pumpkin Ales on Halloween which is in late October. Heck, a lot of people like them through Thanksgiving. Disappointing that Schlafly has caved to seasonal creep that they are ceasing their Pumpkin in late September, but whatever. I've got two more six-packs of this baby and they will be enjoyed through the fall. Fantastic beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2012 20:16:22 | More by siege06nd

Holland

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: golden brown, clear, with a nice half inch head that refreshes a bit with each sip.

S: spices, pumpkin, maybe some ginger and nutmeg

T: balance between malt, pumpkin flavor, and spices. Just an amazing combination, with a bit of sweetness.

M: medium body gives it some thickness, and the carbonation is perfect to enhance the spices but leave a smooth feeling still.

O: fantastic beer, right up there with Good Gourd for the best pumpkin ale I have had. Thanks to Treebs for giving me this one as an extra! It's like pumpkin pie in a bottle.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2012 19:25:34 | More by Holland

JRed

New Jersey

3.45/5  rDev -18.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Deep amber/red in body with off-white head that fades to a film over top. Sweet aroma of pumpkin sweets, cinnamon, carrot cake, and light booze in the background. Light flavors of pumpkin treats, cinnamon, hazelnut, minor grass notes, light booze but not warming. Too light in body for the flavors here and light carbonation. A bit too watery for my preference.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2012 00:39:13 | More by JRed

stakem

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle into a snifter. The brew appears a dark amber color with 3 fingers worth of rich yellowish stained to tan froth. As the cap fades, it leaves a webbing pattern of lacing effect all over the glass. The brew displays a brilliant clarity with some lighter hints of yellow to orange around the edges. A light swirl revives just shy of a finger of yellowish stained froth atop.

The smell is like gram crackers, mildly toasty with cinnamon and some earthy nutmeg. There is a bit of fruity almost perfume quality about this perhaps from the alcohol esters. More smells reveal a bit more depth to the earthen character that is mildly vegetative. When swirled, a mild note of sulfur and cheese is emitted.

The taste is mildly sweet with a bready character of grain, somewhat toasty with cinnamon and nutmeg. There is a mild nutty appeal to this along with a fruity to vegetative edge. More sips bring out some of that gram gracker and toasty appeal that was first introduced in the aromatics. It transitions to more earthy character with a mild herbal touch of hops that blends well.

This is a medium bodied brew with a modest amount of carbonation. Overall it is a well blended and nice take on the style. The spices here are really restrained and come out with just enough character to solidify it in the style. The touch of perfume edge that creeps out distracts just a bit along with the veggie edge that keeps this from being perfect in my opinion. Overall, it is solid and absolutely worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2012 00:42:39 | More by stakem