Many readers of this blog may consider Schlafly beer to be a beer store staple, but for this beer geek residing in the outskirts of beer-distribution-doldrums, Schlafly is exotic. So while vacationing in Kansas City, MO, I decided to pay homage to the conservation state and drink and stock up on plenty of her beer. Recently I reviewed Schlafly’s Quadrupel from it’s bottle conditioned series.
For it’s oaken barrel series, Schlafly chose to brew an Oak Aged Barleywine and a Barrel Aged Imperial stout. Normally I would not go out of my way for oak aged beer, as it at times has seemed to be a trend that was bit capitulated to beer trend, but I couldn’t resist the fantastic boxes that the beer came packaged in. Of course it is the actual beer that I love so much, but at the same time I appreciate a well packaged beer. I picked up the 2007 series with jubilation…the beer had sat undisturbed in the dark for nearly a year.
Schlafly Reserve Barleywine Style Ale:
First off, let me say I am a pretty big fan of Barleywine. Even on a hot and humid summer day in Missouri, I do not mind the heavy nature of the style. Schlafly’s reserve poured a dark Mahogany cover, but reveals clear maroon colors when held up to the light. The beer looks pretty typical of a barley wine, perhaps just a tad thicker, which is never a problem for me. Strong grain aromas sneak out of the glass. Unlike many other oak aged beers I have had, the oak aroma is extremely strong, similar to the smell of a dry Cabernet wine. In fact, this barley wine actually smelled a lot like wine. I swear I even smelled dark grapes.
The beer’s flavor is fantastic. Exceedingly sweet, but pleasantly balanced. The typical caramel notes and raisin flavors go exceptionally well with the strong oak presence. If any Schlafly rep happens past this site, I would love to know how long the beer was aged for.
Beer is best when shared, but my wife–being pregnant–was unable to partake, so I shared it with my brother-in-law, who had only tried three different types of beer before. Surprisingly, he gobbled this vintage beer down, smacked his lips, and said it was amazing, and said the flavor reminded him slightly of coke. I suppose he was picking up on some vanilla flavors. At over 10% ABV, this beer warms you up a bit.
The lesson to be learned from this brew: Barley wine tastes amazing when aged in wooden barrels.
Nate’s Rating:
Overall Satisfaction: 
Among other Barleywines: 
Among MO Brews:
Schlafly Brewery
Schlafly’s Barrel Aged Imperial Stout:
Risking my reputation (as if I had one!) I must admit, I am not a huge fan of Bourbon flavored stouts. I know it is a rite of passage for the beer geek, and unabashed love for bourbon stouts is practically required, but usually they do not appeal to me much. I love bourbon, and I love beer, but put together in unbalanced amounts, they can be overpowering. I actually bought this gem from Schlafly after having drank the Barley wine. I figured if the Barley wine was so delicious, I owed it to them to try the Barrel aged imperial stout.
The beer poured like any other imperial stout. Thick, black, and slow. No surprises here. The aroma, on the other hand was not what I expected. Sweet, sweet porter-esque flavors emerge. Burnt grains and a dry alcohol aroma accompanied by again, a strong woody aroma, but only a slight bourbon flavor.
The flavor was much like the smell. It was actually fantastic. My complaint with many (most?) bourbon flavored beers, is that they overdo it on the bourbon, so much so that instead of bourbon flavored beer, it seems like beer flavored bourbon. Amidst spicy peppery flavors and sweet chocolaty malts, the bourbon flavor comes off as a strong nuance. I was shocked. I actually really enjoyed the beer. My only complaint was that it was a bit too hot; that is, the alcohol aroma and flavor tended to subdue the pleasant flavors of the malts, wood, and bourbon. Nonetheless, it is was extremely enjoyable.
Overall Satisfaction: 
Among other Barrel Aged Imperial Stouts:
Among MO Brews:
I think I may be developing a small crush on Schlafly. I would suggest picking up a few of each of these beers, if you are so lucky as to have them included in you local beer distribution.
I happen to think that it’s a little hot on the Bourbon, too (still good). A little more stoutness behind the bourbon would have been nice. Oddly enough, I don’t think this about the Barley-Wine style. It must be the residual sweetness that the thickness perception that really gets it a better level.
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I really enjoyed the oaked Imperial Stout, and even more so the Barleywine. the vanilla and coconut flavors added to the barleywine really work well for me.
I’d like to try more of their beers, but the Schlafly beer’s are pretty much none existent in Jersey except for these two barrel aged brews.
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Same here, I liked the barley wine more. Schlafly doesn’t touch Ohio (at least Northwest Ohio either).
I missed the coconut…I’ll have to get my hands on some more to look for that flavor.
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If you liked these then you must try Schlafly’s Tripel and Biere du Garde. Both Begian styles (although they call the Biere du Garde French Farmhouse) they are the most authentic American brewed Belgians I’ve tried. In fact, I took one of my Belgian co-workers to the Schlafly Bottleworks and he declared the Tripel “the first good beer I’ve had in the U.S.
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Their Tripel is good. I think I still have a bottle of their Quad cellaring somewhere. As for the Biere De Garde, I’ve not had it. Thanks for the response and the recommendations.
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