Hop Toddy
Schlafly Beer - The Tap Room

 

apparently a rebrew of their 20th anniversary beer, this is a really interesting strong blonde ale brewed with lots of honey and lemon juice, and then hopped up with citra and bourbon barrel aged. sounds like too much going on right? i thought so too, but this surprised me in a great way! the beer is golden and glowing in the glass under an inch of thick white head. i smell the lemon right away, zesty and concentrated, acidic and cutting at first, but as i drink the beer i come to appreciate this aspect. it keeps it from getting too sweet or heavy. the bourbon is strong in the nose, vanilla plays with citra hops in a unique and appetizing way, wrapped up in lemony goodness. there is some sweetness from the honey, but its delicate. i have a hard time believing this is as strong as they say it is, not boozy at all in the smell. the flavor is killer. because the base beer is so light in color and simple in malt composition, the bourbon barrel really comes through, vanilla and maple and brown sugar and heavy oak are all present, balanced out by the lemon, and with a light black tea note. there is a floral sweetness to the honey, just a little more alcohol than i could smell, and a lightness about this overall despite it being strong and complex. its really well carbonated and fresh with all the lemon, hoppy at the end with the soft citra, which kind of comes on out of nowhere, but it isnt bitter in the least. warming but also fresh, its such a strange beer, a little more flavored and inventive than some of the other toddy style beers i have had. this is really awesome, an unexpected delight from schlafly!

They've revived an old 20th anniversary beer. Poured a slightly hazy, reddish gold color with a small, tan head of foam. It smelled of honey and bourbon. Very boozy flavor with sweet honey and wheat flavors.