Schlafly Perception

Tasmanian and Pumpkin Ale are two of my favorite beers ever.

 

I went to college in Carbondale. Schlafly and Goose Island being my gateway beers their. I still enjoy both, and think Schlafly makes some really under rated stuff.

 

I usually try each different six pack that makes it to my store. I've tried some of their 750mL bottles. I LOVE their A American IPA their Tasmanian IPA.

 

I'm also very fond of several of their beers. Obviously Tasmanian IPA and Pumpkin Ale are at the top of the list, but I also enjoy their bourbon-barrel-aged imperial stout and their Irish-style stout.

 

Schlafly makes some seriously great beers and some that are so so, but hey that's any brewery. All their releases are fairly easy to get ahold of and they don't really do any uber limited stuff that gets super hyped on the web giving beer lovers boners

 

The one beer that they make which I look forward to each year is the Irish Extra Stout, although I don't think I've disliked anything else I've had by them.

 

As a PA'an my perception of them is that they make really good brews that I would buy regularly if they actually made it here but instead I just continue to buy our really good brews from the Regional guys like Troegs and Victory. Though I've still yet to have their Pumpkin Ale and it drives me crazy come fall.

 

My favorite brewery. They bottle date so you know what's fresh and they don't make a bad beer. They make some that aren't great, but I'm ok with that. They don't do some super exclusive overrated bottle release vent, which holds back their national hype.

APA, A-IPA, T-IPA, Irish-Style Extra Stout, Pumpkin Ale, Winter ESB, and Raspberry Coffee Stout are all excellent. Pale Ale, Coffee Stout, Oatmeal Stout, Imperial Stout, Kolsch, and Hefeweizen are all good to very good. Plus I'm sure some stuff they have as draft-only releases are stellar as well.

I miss those guys.

 

I have enjoyed pretty much everything I have had form them and I always pick up anything new they put out. I really enjoy their rotating ipa series, tasmanian, pumpkin and coffee stout. I think they are a bit underrated as a brewery, solid line up.

 

We don't get their distro in CO, so I've only had the pumpkin, which obviously has pretty legendary status. As for their other offerings, I think because they don't distribute here or have another supremely popular style in a niche market (like their pumpkin ale, or DFH Palo Santo brown ale, for another example), you don't really hear about them. I'd sure like to try more from them though.

 

If anything they definitely seem like a good "regional pride" place. I have lots of St. Louis friends that love to tout Schafly's even if they aren't big craft beer heads and then I just do the same with the PA brewers I mentioned. Now if they would all just merge into one giant East Coast/Mid-West behemoth =)

 

I'm also from PA, but I see their stuff in NJ. I've only tried the Tasmanian, which I absolutely loved. Never paid them any mind until I received one (TIPA) as an extra and loved it, but then realized I had access to it so bought a 6er. But have seen a few others on shelves, including the Reserve Barleywine and I think the Imperial Stout, just have neglected to ever pick them up.

 

I've had a number of their beers and I think St. Louis has much better beer to offer. You've got Urban Chestnut knocking out world class beers. To the east, O'Fallon is also making some great stuff. Lots of nooks and crannies in St. Louis that are worth checking out that aren't Schlafly. That said they've got a pretty good Kolsch beer and I've yet to find their pumpkin beer, but it is definitely a priority.

 

The TIPA is right up there with any IMHO.

 

I have had their Dry Hopped APA and Coffee Stout, both were good; I thought the APA was very good.
Don't see a ton of their stuff in Jersey, but it is a brewery I keep an eye out for ever since trying their APA.

If Founders put out Schlafly's Coffee Stout and APA, both would be world class brews in the eyes of your average BA.

 

Schlafly is solid across the board with a couple of really good beers that rise above that level. Very reasonably priced in St. Louis, too.