My wife is so awesome. She is the best. She rocks like no other. She just sneaked out of the house to go get a case of Schlafly Pumpkin Ale. A whole case. Twenty four 12 oz bottles. Twenty four bottles of delicious spicy pumpkin yum. I've been blathering on about this beer for a few weeks now, so I hope you are not bored with me. But now that it is here we can all bask in it's orange glory.
Schlafly is out of St Louis, so this is another tick on the Show-Me Beer Beer-Run. Bonus!
To start off with, there is an interesting quote on the label:
I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than to be crowded on a velvet cushion. - Henry David Thoreau
This quote is taken from Thoreau's Walden, a seminal work of American Literature. Walden was Thoreau's experiment in isolation and simple living. He wanted to experience a spiritual enlightenment by removing himself from the shackles of modern society. He moved out to a cabin in the woods and documented his experience. This writing was heavily influenced by the American Transcendental movement, which in turn is the core of the American individualism philosophy. The above quote basically says that Thoreau is happier sitting by himself under simple circumstances than to be surrounded by phony intellectual elitist of modern society.
In context to the beer I read it to say that the Pumpkin Ale is not for everyone, and that those who are distracted by shiny objects may not be able to appreciate it. Whoa, when did we turn into Brews and Books! Back to the beer.
Poured into a Schlafly pint glass, there is a thick foam of head that looks like it was dusted with cinnamon. Body color is a clear coppery orange. Tiny bubbles of carbonation lazily drift up from the bottom. Smell is heavy on the cloves, and I love it. Through the onslaught of cloves, allspice edges in and a touch of pumpkin shell. Taste is also cloves dominant, with more of the pumpkin shell coming in. It is dry yet silky smooth with a mild creamy texture.
And here's another great thing about the Pumpkin Ale. It ages wonderfully. At 8% ABV it has the strength to age, plus the spices act as a preservative. The most I have done is a year, mostly because I don't have the will power to put many aside. At a year, the cloves really mellow and the nutmeg spice blossoms. Aging can be hit or miss, so sometimes you can get some oxidation. I think the spices can help mask any wet cardboard flavors from oxidization.
I wish I could get Schlafly Pumpkin Ale, the same way Ministry wishes it was Halloween everyday.
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