I posted a couple a week ago about how there’s really only one pumpkin ale that I love – Southern Tier’s Pumking. We can now officially make that two, as after finally getting to taste it, I am head-over-heels in love with Schlafly Pumpkin Ale.
First off, I should say that I’m a pumpkin-pie-in-a-glass kind of guy, and I like a pumpkin beer to be sweet and clovey. Schlafly Pumpkin Ale definitely hits the mark here, but doesn’t go overboard.
I drank it at room temperature, as I find that coolness chokes vanilla-like flavors in beers, and I like my veggie brews as sweet as I can get them.
There’s a lot of pumpkin on the nose, which scared me a bit, as I feared it might be a veggie bomb. Fortunately, this wasn’t the case.
The flavor starts with a combination of sweet vanilla, cinnamon and cloves, and the vanilla hangs in there as the pumpkin flavor comes on and then quickly fades to a wonderfully dry finish (a Schlafly signature) that reminded me a bit of dried cherries. Not something you’d associate with pumpukins or pumpkin pie, but it works wonderfully here. This is one clean-drinking beer.
I was a little shocked to see that this pumpkin ale has an ABV of 8%, as it hides the flavor of alcohol very, very well. This one might sneak up on you, just like their Dry Irish Stout snuck up on me a few months ago (it helps that I’m a moron).
I think this might be my new favorite pumpkin beer, but I need to taste it side by side with Southern tier’s Pumking before making any declarations. Still, I always feel like I have to hang in there just a bit when I’m drinking that one, but I could drink Schlafly Pumpkin Ale all day long.
And the best part of this beer? It was free!
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Beer & Whiskey Brothers 
Crap. Now that you’re getting free Schlafly products, I can’t it over your head that I can acquire Schlafly products whenever I want.
I can get some, but none of these, which makes this a totally awesome haul!
Really? I am soooooo tired of pumpkin ales. The only one I’ve decided to like doesn’t really taste like pumpkin (New Belgium’s Kick). That said, I’m going to start whining about Russian River, Hair of the Dog, and Three Floyds in every post I write until some packages arrive at my doorstep.
ooh – good point. I need to expand my whining horizons as well!
I told you that beer was awesome Jimbo. I’ll be thinking of you while I’m soaking it up in a hottub with all the beers at GABF. Then next week I got a big relay race where my buddy is bringing me some Pliny and other delicacies from CA. See how I’m trying to make you jealous?
Yes I see you trying, John.
Enjoy soaking in a tub of hot beard hair with the other beer geeks. Good times, good times.
I prefer DFH’s pumpkin ale to Schlafly’s. If you haven’t tried it yet its worth a taste.
I’ve had DFH Punkin before and remember it to be pretty good, but I recall you don’t like ’em sweet, where I do.
Pumking and Schlafly are my two favorites as well. Never had a chance to try the DFH though.
All three are good, my three favorites so far…
I’m with you on that, Jim. I’m also a huge fan of ST Pumking and would rarely pass it up in favor of another pumpkin ale (especially when it’s on tap) but I was truly impressed by Schlafly’s version of the Good Gourd Ale. It’s nearly as flavorful as Pumking but a bit more crisp with a nice bracing snappy finish. Freakishly drinkable and at least for now, relatively easy to find.
I’d still rank Pumking slightly ahead but only slightly with Dogfish Head Punk a respectable third.
Cheers!
@TheAlemonger
Until I try them back to back, I’ll have to hold off on ranking the Pumking and Schlafly’s number one or number two…BUT, when I have the ST, I think “good pumpkin beer” and when I have the Schlafly’s I thought “good beer – I want more!”
Now I have to find a place in North Jersey that stocks the stuff…
I’ve seen a lot of people say Schlafly is their favorite pumpkin beer. I tracked down a sixpack of it the other week while I was traveling (and actually just reviewed it on my own blog a few days ago.) I wasn’t a huge fan, to be honest, but I’m also not really a fan of super sweet and malty beers. I thought the sweetness was a bit much here, but it was spiced well. Do you like the Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin? This reminded me of a much sweeter take on that, kind of.
I would still love to find another pumpkin beer that comes close to what ST Pumking is doing. Imperial pumpkin ales are always so malty; this year’s Pumking is as clear and crisp as wine.
I’ve had the Weryerbacher, but there’s a tiny thread of vegetable funk in there that turns me off. Not a bad beer by any stretch, just a little off putting for me this year.
I’m sure you’ve tried DFH Punkin, which is in the same class as Pumking (kinda).
I am hoping to review a whole mess ‘o pumpkin ales in the near future. After your rave reviews, I think am going to have to throw Schlafly’s in the mix. ‘Till then, Elysian and Southern Tier are the pumpkin kings of this household.
I’d like to see how you think it stacks up.
I just had Schlafly Pumpkin for the first time tonight (on tap) and I agree: it is a superb beer. Pumking is still the best and closest to pumpkin pie, but this is a fantastic beer. Flying Dog just released The Fear here (DC), an imperial pumpkin ale that tastes something like a cross between a pumpkin stout and New Belgium’s Clutch (the sour element). I’ve had 14 pumpkin beers this season but still have a lot more to go.