This is a beer that I’ve never tried from Schlafly. I’ve always thought that they make some pretty decent stuff and this bottle intrigued me when I saw it sitting on the shelf.
Let’s see what we can find out about it from the website, schlafly.com.
Our Irish-Style Extra Stout pours black and is an amped-up version of a traditional dry stout. The addition of both roasted barley and Dark Crystal malted barley give Extra Stout undertones of chocolate, molasses and dried fruit. The beer is generously hopped with East Kent Goldings to balance the sweetness from the malted barley.
Sounds good enough to me. Time to pour.
This brew has an 8.0% ABV and it comes in a 12 oz. bottle.
It poured black with some ruby outlines around the edges and bottom of the nonic glass. It formed a khaki colored head that was soft, smooth, creamy, thick and nicely sized. The retention time was suitable and the lacing wasn’t too bad either. A nice looking beer honestly.
The nose represented a well accentuated bouquet of roasted/toasted malts and grain. A slight, but sturdy coffee bean aroma as well as a touch of cream. A little bit of dark chocolate was discerned and a good touch of earthy hops too. It was somewhat sweet smelling and it was very “round”. Not bad at all.
The taste was very liberal with more toasted breads and grain. A light touch of alcohol was found, however it was mostly noticed at the back end. Through the middle though some coffee grounds and dark chocolate led the way. The creaminess and hoppy profile that I found in the aroma seemed to fade quite a bit within the taste. In actuality, the flavor was not overly robust or “strong” throughout. It was decent though. Definitely a nice representation of the style.
The mouthfeel was mostly medium bodied, although it did feel like it leaned a little bit toward the full side. It was acceptably dry, chewy and smooth with a touch of that chalky aspect. The carbonation was good and a bit of warmth was felt from the alcohol. A solid amount of flavor was on the palate after each sip too.
Overall, I thought this was a pleasant enough beer. It’s a fitting and acceptable everyday Stout. One that would be a great brew to give to someone interested in exploring the style. It wasn’t too complicated or ridiculous and it was very easy to drink considering the 8.0% ABV. I don’t think I would ever turn it down if it was offered. It would be really nice to enjoy once the Fall and Winter months arrive. With that being said, if you guys happen to see the Schlafly Extra Stout (Irish Style) on the shelf at your local bottle shop, pick it up, give it a go and see what you think. I’d be interested in hearing other opinions, so feel free to leave a comment if you wish.
Thanks for reading and commenting everyone. I really appreciate it.
Until next time. Cheers.
Score: 3.75 out of 5
Grade: B
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