Schlafly Pumpkin Ale - Saint Louis Brewery / Schlafly Tap Room

4DAloveofSTOUT

Illinois

4.3/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

poured into New Belgium Globe.

Appearance: slightly orange bodied beer with a small white head. Drops down to a thin ring around.

Smell: Ripe pumpkin with a supporting cast of nutmeg, all spice, and cinnamon.

Taste: Upfront spicy beer cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and all spice. The beer is more spicy that pumkin flavored. Touch of malty sweetness that is bready. Mild lingering pumpkin aftertaste.

Mouthfeel: medium bodied beer with moderate carbonation. Just a hint of warm booze.

Overall: Really nice pumpkin beer! Definately one of the better pumpkin beers that I have drank this year! This is a fantastic chioce for a fall beer!

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2012 12:11:16 | More by 4DAloveofSTOUT

secondtooth

Indiana

4/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a rich orange-amber, with average to light carbonation. No obvious lace here.

Nose is ripe with brown sugar, nutmeg and clove spices. Pumpkin is secondary here. Still, delightful, and very reminiscent of Fall.

Taste is tangy and heavy on the spice. This is very malty (think a brown ale), with all the spice and pumpkin touches bringing some balance to the sweetness. A superlative Fall seasonal, and among my favorite pumpkin ales.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2012 22:28:17 | More by secondtooth

dtmets84

New York

3.93/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into my dogfish head pint glass

A- Pours a dark amber hue with no lacing

S- Dont get much pumpkin...getting more cinnamon and nutmeg

T- Tastes almost like an alcoholic pumpkin cider. Abit thin but the spices really come through.

M- Easy to drink especially at 8%!nd warms slightly from the ABV.

Overall, definitely a good pumpkin beer but still does not win out over ST pumkin and chelsea pumpkin pie.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2012 01:09:41 | More by dtmets84

sleuthdog

Illinois

4.35/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottled 8/16/12
Poured 9/17/12

Appearance: A vigorous pour yielded about one and a half amount of bone white head that dissipates quickly. Color is a great copper/deep amber that is fairly transparent. This so much reminds me of fall because of the color it's not even funny.

Smell: Well an ale brewed with pumpkin one would think pumpkin but let me tell you there is such balance in the nose. Obvious pumpkin with cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, clove, with the beer as the backbone. Best smelling pumpkin beer if you are looking for one with balance. Makes me want a piece of pumpkin pie.

Taste: Simply the best balanced pumpkin beer I've ever had. I love pumpkin beers and have yet to find one as well balanced as this. All the same notes in the nose, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, clove, pumkin flesh. The alcohol is non existent.

Mouthfeel: Very creamy and soft smooth feel. Low carbonation and almost silky.

Overall: I think it's obvious what I feel about this beer - spectacular. I enjoy Pumking when I want an overpowering pumpkin beer but this one is just the best well rounded pumpkin ale ever. You know you're drinking a beer but spiced up pumpkin style! Awesome ale!

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2012 01:17:02 | More by sleuthdog

Breen

Kansas

4.6/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4.5

Pour/Appearance: A reddish hue with a deep copper when held to light. Minimal head that frothed a bit immediately after the pour and quickly spread to the edges only. Full lacing disappears in a few seconds.

Smell: Like face planting in a homemade pumpkin pie. Nutmeg and other spices. Some grassy hops.

Mouthfeel: Sharp carbonation and relatively light on the palette with a dry finish.

Taste: Slightly bitter from the earthy hops smelled, but the most noticeable is the pumpkin and cinnamon/nutmeg spices.

Overall: As ready as I was for a good seasonal ale, I was still pleasantly surprised by this selection. The brewer has done an excellent job bringing out robust pumpkin flavor without crafting something overpowering or too bitter. I'm glad I purchased this in a 6-pack and might well be back for more.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2012 01:13:11 | More by Breen

wingzing85

Iowa

4.55/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

WOW! What a great pumpkin ale! The overall appearance is a toasted orange color with about an 1/2" head. Smelled of pumpkin spice and nutmeg with maybe a hint of all spice. The flavor was perfect. Not artificial tasting like some other pumpkin beers I have had. It was delicately balanced for a robust and very enjoyable beer.

Serving type: on-tap

09-17-2012 17:24:51 | More by wingzing85

The_1084

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

A: deep orange/copper hues; 2 finger head with aggressive pour, but dissipates quickly; mild-moderate activity in the glass

S: aroma of pumpkin spice and cloves becoming very pleasant as the beer warms; strong resemblance to pumpkin pie

T: pumpkin spice with a small hint of alcohol becoming noticeable mid-drink, but not bad for an 8% ABV

M: full-bodied; medium carbonation; dry, sticky finish

O: overall this is a great pumpkin ale

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2012 06:44:57 | More by The_1084

VncentLIFE

North Carolina

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

Thanks verecund!

Very deep amber body with a small white head.

The smell holds loads of sweet sugary cinnamon. So sweet on the nose with pumpkin coming out only a bit.

The taste is just wow. Super sweet pumpkin spices that are only out done by the pumpkin itself. Lots of clove and cinnamon really dominate, with a hint of allspice (kind of forgotten). Super sweet caramelly pumpkin come to the forefront, but its still drinkable.

God damn this is good.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 23:12:01 | More by VncentLIFE

boilermakerbrew

Indiana

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

A- Pours a mostly translucent, orange-amber hue. Creamy, slightly off-white head about 1 finger thick forms. Retention is very short, but lacing is ok.

S- Nothing but sweet, fresh pumpkin pie here. I pick up ginger and cinnamon on the nose along with the great pumpkin flavor. Maybe some hints of nutmeg too.

T- By far the best pumpkin flavor of any pumpkin beer I've had. Starts with sweet and creamy pumpkin and spices. Nutmeg comes through a lot more in the taste than the scent. Solid malt backbone provides the palate on which the pumpkin paints its masterful flavors. Ends almost like a pumpkin pie too, with a slight bready flavor similar to pie crust on the tongue.

M- Thick and creamy, yet surprisingly light and delicious. Easy to drink, and warms slightly from the ABV.

Overall, the best pumpkin beer I've had by far. I'm not sure you can beat this one. Could be a great dessert beer. This is one of the best fall seasonals I've had.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2012 00:40:54 | More by boilermakerbrew

areich6

Illinois

4.45/5  rDev +5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a dark amber just as a pumpin beer should. Little head and just a tad bit of lacing.

S: Strong scents of nutmeg, cinammon, and pumpkin. I can't wait to try this.

T: I can taste a small amount of the 8.0% ABV that is present but not much at all. A very nice amount of cinammon and pumpkin, absolutely delicious.

M: Creamy with a good amount of carbonation that dissipates pretty quickly. Wish there was a little less carbonation, but it still feels very smooth during the swallow.

O: very good pumpkin ale, definitely in the top 3 I have ever had.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2012 03:26:18 | More by areich6

TheQuietMan22

Iowa

4.3/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Serving type: 12-ounce bottle. The “Bottled with love on” date is “08/14/12.”

Appearance: Straight pour into a pint glass. The color is nearing deep amber and has an orange, pumpkin-esque tint. Two fingers of fuzzy, very effervescent, eggshell-colored head dissipated quickly to leave a thin lacing and thin ring around the edge. It does look a little like pop, which is a little disturbing.

Smell: The pumpkin pie aroma is noticeable from an arm’s length away. Lots of nice spices: cinnamon and clove, mostly. The bottle mentions nutmeg, but I am not that well-acquainted with nutmeg to pick it out. It has a solid malt base of caramel but smells like a Thanksgiving pumpkin pie.

Taste: The spices get me psyched for some reason. (Fall is coming! Woo hoooo!) The cinnamon and cloves provide a nice, spicy kick. Once again, it is reminiscent of pumpkin pie. It has a nice, lightly toasted malt and caramel base with toffee and brown sugar, which makes me wonder if this is a Schlafly Oktoberfest with pumpkin and spice. There is also a little fruit, too, so it is like eating a piece of pumpkin pie with the same plate one just ate a piece of cherry pie. Despite looking like pop, the mouthfeel is better than average; it is pretty hearty.

Drinkability: Solid. Having never drank an entire bottle of pumpkin ale before, I was a little skeptical whether or not I could handle a whole sixer — or even another bottle. But I am easily tempted to open another one of these.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2012 03:00:09 | More by TheQuietMan22

pvo

Virginia

4.13/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A great pumpkin ale. Knowing that it is a pumpkin ale, one could assume that it is sweet, spiced, appropriate with hearty food, and has a great dark amber color. These are all true.

What separates the Schlafly pumpkin ale is its balance. The spices are there but not overwhelming; the alcohol is high but doesn't make the beer too sweet. Essentially, I would be excited to drink this on many an occasion, and that cannot be said for many pumpkin ales.

Serving type: on-tap

09-09-2012 23:30:20 | More by pvo

RodneyFarva

Spain

4.55/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

bottle poured into a snifter.

a: a one-inch head which quickly dissipates. beer is a beautiful deep amber and mahogany.

s: a deep mix of pumpkin and spices. just like pumpkin pie, the spices aren't overpowering but are a complement. cinnamon, brown sugar, and a touch of nutmeg, but nothing too spicy and strong. a touch of alcohol sweetness on the nose as well.

t: pumpkin, brown sugar, a touch of cinnamon, a bit of a syrupy alcohol sweetness as well, which is a touch cloying. really nice depth and breadth of flavors - certainly tastes like a slice of pumpkin pie, even down to the breadiness of the crust.

o: an excellent pumpkin ale. really delivers on a range of flavors and doesn't come across as a light spice beer as some pumpkin ales tend to. i think Pumking is still king for me, but this is excellent.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2012 23:04:16 | More by RodneyFarva

DerbeerSlug

4.68/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

This is by far the best pumpkin ale I've had to date. It has a nice cinnamon start with pumpkin throughout. The head is OK...can't say that it was thrilling but ok. The taste was incredible, though. It is literally like eating a piece of pumpkin pie.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2012 22:05:40 | More by DerbeerSlug

brystmar

New York

4.08/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Missed out on this one last year. Thanks to Jim for snagging me this 6-pack! Bottled on 8/2/2012.

Mahogany body color, plenty of off-white lace but minimal head. Rich aroma smells like a fall harvest bouquet. The expected spices are all here, and while they blend well, it's not as pumpkin-pie-like as others in the style.

Flavor profile is spicy and marginally sweet. Lots of clove and nutmeg. Alcohol imparts a boozy tingle on my tongue and massages my throat as it descends. An excellent brew overall; one of the better pumpkin beers available in America.

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2012 02:51:09 | More by brystmar

BarryMFBurton

Indiana

4.03/5  rDev -5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Let’s get these pumpkin beers going; ‘tis the season, after all.

Brewed a month or so before the date of this tasting (“Bottled with love on 07/31/2012”).

A: I’ve yet to find a pumpkin ale with any sizeable head; this one is the closest, presenting a slow-forming pillow of tan fizz for a quick minute. It’s about an inch high before toppling down to just a light foam over the body. No lacing, but what an incredible color – a rich, reddish-copper hue.

S: Ah, there’s that pumpkin pie scent I’ve been waiting for: nutmeg, cinnamon, and roasted pumpkin, with touches of clove and allspice. It’s satisfying, but not too spicy. Helping that balance come through is a deep maltiness, giving a pie crust breadiness: a mix of sugar and breads that comes out with gingerbread, biscuit dough, caramel, and baked apple. Thanksgiving in a bottle.

T: A malty palate with fleshy pumpkin overtones, tasting of pumpkin pie filling, raisin, cherry, and syrupy alcohol – tastes like a Scotch ale with real pumpkin added. Earthy caramel, sugar cookie, cinnamon, nutmeg, and buttery nut tastes really make it into something like pumpkin pie; even though the breads aren’t as big as they are in the nose, it has that familiar holiday profile. Finishes mild and herbal, with crisp, sugary apple tastes; has a bit of artificial sweetness to it on the very end, unfortunately.

M: More bubbly than expected, pulling more and more drinkability out of this 8.0% ABV beer. It does have a touch of creaminess, but more crisp than anything.
O: Finally, a good pumpkin beer. It’s not perfect, but it’s the best I’ve had so far; great pumpkin taste, and an even better nose. Glad I got a six-pack, and I may just buy another.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2012 04:42:37 | More by BarryMFBurton

match1112

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: 12 oz bottle pours into pint glass a dark copper orange colour with a inch and a half of tan creamy head.

S: pumpkin and spice and everything nice. and everything you would expect to smell while a pie is baking.

T: pumpkin pie! just the right amount of cinnamon, nutmeg and all spice mixed with pumpkin and a nice flaky graham cracker crust.

M: full body, well carbonated. like eating pie. sticky and sweet with a creamy smooth finish.

O: awesome! one of the best pumpkin beers there is, get one if you can.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2012 01:56:09 | More by match1112

alysmith4

District of Columbia

4.5/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Wow! This beer is like pumpkin pie in a bottle. So fresh and flavorful, it definitely replaces anything pumpkin that I'd want to eat. The appearance (reddish-caramel) and mouthfeel are both average, but the smell and taste are out of this world! There's a definite cinnamon/vanilla/caramel/nutmeg aroma that comes through as it warms. The taste is pumpkin-y, vanilla, bread-y, with a well-balanced tart and sweetness. I could have this beer again and again, and think it's easily the best pumpkin beer I've tried.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2012 20:33:06 | More by alysmith4

JoEBoBpr

Missouri

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

Poured into a pint glass from a 12oz bottle.

Pours a strong amber color that is translucent. Almost reddish with a nice white head that recedes quickly.

Aroma of pumpkin spice with some cinnamon. Slight grassy hops in the back. Some nice sweetness comes along with some slight nutmeg spice.

Taste exactly like some pumpkin pie. Delicious pumpkin pie spice and slight cinnamon sweetness. Flavor is straight forward. Pumpkin. Delicious.

Pretty good offering by Schlafly. In fact one of the first pumpkin beers that wasn't a drain poor for me.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2012 03:10:21 | More by JoEBoBpr

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

BeerLover99

New Jersey

4.4/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: burnt/copper body, trace head,

S: cinnamon, clover, nutmeg, pumpkin, malt

T: cinnamon, clove, graham cracker crest,
nutmeg, pumpkin, malt

M: med body, smooth/solid carbonation

O: WOW! Thank you, Schlafly. Have really
enjoyed their beers in the past, but also
love this style. If you love pumpkin beers
this is for you.

DELICIOUS, GET SOME!

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2012 18:01:40 | More by BeerLover99

rfbenavi80

Missouri

4.4/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle with love on 8-10-12.
Bottle poured into a tulip.

A- Pours a deep auburn color with 2 fingers of tan had that didn't hang around very long and does not leave any lace on the glass. Upon initial pour it looks great. If the head had a better retention value it would be nicer.

S- Smells like rich spiced pumpkin. Notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and brown sugar. Smells like a pumpkin pie is baking in the oven. Pumpkin spice aroma really comes out as it warms.

T- Follows nose well. Wonderful flavor of spiced pumpkin. An excellent fall seasonal.

M- Nice and smooth considering the 8% ABV. Medium body, moderately low amount of carbonation.

O- This is one that I look forward to every fall. It is a wonderful beer to drink while enjoying the changing of the seasons.

Serving type: bottle

08-27-2012 01:43:43 | More by rfbenavi80

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

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

Momar42

Maryland

4.3/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 oz bottle into New Belgium globe.

A - clear deep copper color. Mild head that dissolves rapidly.

S - equal parts pumpkin smell and pumpkin spice. Nicely balanced and inviting.

T - wow, flavored beers are hit or miss but this one is spot on. Fantastic balance and body. There is spiciness on the front and back end of the taste. The pumpkin itself carries the spice all the way thru. Really tasty

M - medium. Smooth and easy on the finish. Well done.

O - really well done pumpkin ale. Not cloyingly sweet or overly spiced. Just rich pumpkin flavor with a balanced spice. Easily top 3 on my list of pumpkin beers. Seek this one out if you have any interest in this category. Really well done.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2012 02:47:42 | More by Momar42