Schlafly Special IPA 4Pk

Schlafly Special IPA 4Pk is a hop-forward American IPA from one of Missouri's original craft breweries, sold in a four-pack format. Schlafly has been a cornerstone of the St. Louis craft beer scene since 1991, and this IPA expression reflects the brewery's long-standing commitment to bold, hop-driven ales.

Quick Facts: Style: American IPA  |  Origin: St. Louis, Missouri  |  Brewery: The Saint Louis Brewery (Schlafly)  |  Format: 4-Pack

Production & Heritage

The Saint Louis Brewery, widely known as Schlafly, was founded in 1991 by Tom Schlafly and Dan Kopman in downtown St. Louis. It holds the distinction of being the city's first new brewery since Prohibition and has grown into one of Missouri's largest independent craft breweries. Schlafly operates two production facilities — the original Tap Room in downtown St. Louis and the Bottleworks facility in Maplewood, Missouri — both of which support the brewery's extensive year-round and seasonal lineup of ales and lagers.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Expect pronounced hop aromatics typical of the American IPA style, with floral and citrus notes rising from the glass. Underlying malt sweetness provides a balanced backdrop to the hop-forward nose.

Taste: The palate opens with resinous hop bitterness that transitions into citrus and pine at the mid-palate. A supportive malt backbone keeps the bitterness in check, delivering the classic American IPA balance of bold hops against a clean, grainy base.

Finish: The finish is dry and moderately bitter with lingering hop resin. Citrus peel and a touch of floral character persist as the bitterness fades.

How to Drink Schlafly Special IPA

Pour into a tulip glass or standard pint glass at around 45°F to allow the hop aromatics to open up fully. This IPA works well as a standalone sipper alongside casual meals. For food-pairing cocktails or beer-based drinks, try a Michelada — the hop bitterness pairs surprisingly well with the bright, savory tomato-lime base. A beer float with vanilla ice cream plays the bitterness against creamy sweetness. A Shandy mixed with lemonade tames the hops into a refreshing warm-weather drink.

Best For

• Sharing with friends during a backyard cookout or barbecue
• Introducing someone to the St. Louis craft beer tradition
• Pairing with spicy or bold-flavored foods
• Adding variety to a craft beer tasting lineup

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Schlafly Special IPA taste like? Schlafly Special IPA delivers a classic American IPA profile centered on citrus and pine hop flavors supported by a clean malt backbone with a dry, bitter finish.

How does Schlafly Special IPA compare to Schlafly American IPA? Both beers come from the same St. Louis brewery and fall within the American IPA category, but specific recipe details including hop bill, ABV, and bitterness levels may differ between expressions — check the packaging for exact specifications on each release.

Is Schlafly Special IPA good for hop lovers? Yes — as an American IPA, this beer places hops front and center in both the aroma and flavor, making it a solid choice for drinkers who enjoy assertive bitterness and prominent hop character.

Where is Schlafly Special IPA made? Schlafly Special IPA is brewed by The Saint Louis Brewery in St. Louis, Missouri, which operates facilities at the Schlafly Tap Room downtown and the Schlafly Bottleworks in Maplewood, Missouri.

What foods pair well with Schlafly Special IPA? Grilled burgers and sausages complement the hop bitterness with charred, savory flavors. Spicy buffalo wings match intensity with intensity. Sharp cheddar cheese contrasts the bitterness with rich, tangy fat. Fish tacos with a citrus slaw echo the beer's citrus hop notes. A pepperoni or sausage pizza stands up well to the bold hop profile.

What sizes does Schlafly Special IPA come in? This product is available in a four-pack format; check packaging for individual container size, which is typically 12 oz or 16 oz cans depending on the release.

Is Schlafly Special IPA worth the price? Schlafly positions as a well-regarded regional craft brewery, and their IPAs generally sit in the accessible craft pricing tier — competitive with other independent craft IPAs and representing solid value for the quality and heritage behind the brand.

Why Schlafly Special IPA?

Schlafly holds a unique place in American craft brewing history as the brewery that brought craft beer back to St. Louis after Prohibition, founding their operation in 1991 when the city was still dominated by macro lager production. That pioneering spirit carries through to their IPA program, which draws on more than three decades of brewing experience. The Special IPA offers an approachable entry point to the Schlafly hop-forward lineup in a convenient four-pack format. For drinkers who value independent, regionally rooted craft beer with genuine history, this is an expression worth exploring.