India Brown Ale
Schlafly Beer - The Tap Room

 

 

 

i have long been a fan of the hop driven brown ales, and this is a good one. its packed with northwestern style hops, piney and bitter, an awesome contrast to and also enhancement of the sweet caramels and cocoas in the malt base of this flavorful but drinkable brown. just a shade lighter in color and also in body than i was hoping for, this is complex in aroma and flavor, but its not overly sturdy, looking for just a little more here for the late fall. the hops are awesome, some fruitiness from the amarillo, a piney bitter oily intensity from the simcoe, and the reemergence of the fragrant ahtanum, a hop i havent seen around in quite some time. i get some nice malt richness in the flavor, along with some dry powdered cocoa and milk chocolate character, nutty for a second, sort of english, and then all the hops, almost to the ipa level, fresh but intense. this is really a tale of two beers, not that it isnt integrated well, but the first half is a well made brown, the second a robust ipa. i like the fusion of styles here, they did a nice job with this one.

This beer is a deep brown color, mostly clear, with an undertone of red. The head is thick and blanket-like, off white, and lasting. The aroma is malty, with roasted character, as well as a spicy hop smell. The taste is intense....full and rich hop and malt flavor. Nice balance. Full in body. Excellent.

 

 

The true whale of Schlafly. You might see it once in awhile on tap, and then it is gone. A ghost. Seemingly, years go by. Hushed tones are spoken when talking about this one. From out of nowhere...it is now in bottles...and even admits on the label "only brewed once a year".

A great balanced blend of hops and malts. As much as I am usually not into this style, this beer just drinks so well. The spicyness of the hops stand up to the malt bill perfectly. A really unique take on the style..one I have always loved and I will enjoy it while it is still around.