Schlafly Vanilla Pumpkin Ale 6Pk

Schlafly Vanilla Pumpkin Ale 6Pk is a seasonal craft ale brewed at 8.0% ABV that layers classic pumpkin pie spices with smooth vanilla in a 6-pack of 12 oz bottles. Scoring an 89 on BeerAdvocate, this fall release from The Saint Louis Brewery stands out among seasonal pumpkin beers for its creamy, dessert-forward character built on a complex malt backbone.

Quick Facts: ABV: 8.0%  |  Origin: St. Louis, Missouri  |  Style: Seasonal Spiced Ale  |  Brewery: The Saint Louis Brewery (Schlafly)

Production & Heritage

The Saint Louis Brewery, widely known as Schlafly, is the largest independent craft brewery in St. Louis, Missouri. The brewery built its reputation on small-batch production using traditional methods and a diverse roster of styles. Vanilla Pumpkin Ale is brewed with a grain bill of Pale, Crystal, Munich, Wheat, and Chocolate malts, fermented with American Ale yeast, and hopped with Polish Marynka hops. A blend of spices — cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and ginger — is combined with real vanilla to distinguish this variant from the brewery's long-running original Pumpkin Ale.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Pumpkin pie spices lead immediately — cinnamon and nutmeg are dominant, followed by vanilla, caramel, and a suggestion of toasted bread. A creamy, dessert-like quality ties the aromatics together.

Taste: The entry is smooth with caramel sweetness and graham cracker malt, moving into a mid-palate rich with pumpkin, brown sugar, and warm baking spices. Cinnamon and ginger intensify toward the peak, while vanilla weaves throughout, lending a quality reminiscent of pumpkin pie topped with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Finish: Medium-long with lingering ginger and brown sugar that arrives with more assertiveness than expected. The vanilla rounds the edges, leaving a mellow, spiced aftertaste without excessive sweetness.

How to Drink Vanilla Pumpkin Ale

Serve at 45–50°F in a tulip glass or snifter to concentrate the aromatic spice and vanilla character. The 8.0% ABV carries enough warmth to reward slow sipping on a cool evening. For cocktail-curious drinkers, try it in a Pumpkin Shandy — blended with fresh apple cider for a lighter autumn drink. It also works in a Beer Float poured over vanilla bean ice cream, doubling down on its dessert profile. A Fall Michelada built with this ale, lime, hot sauce, and a cinnamon-sugar rim creates an unexpectedly savory counterpoint to the ale's sweetness.

Best For

• Autumn gatherings like Thanksgiving dinners or Halloween parties
• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who collects seasonal releases
• Fireside sipping on cold evenings as a dessert replacement
• Pairing with a fall charcuterie or dessert spread

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Vanilla Pumpkin Ale taste like? It delivers warm pumpkin pie spices — cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and ginger — layered over caramel and graham cracker malt, with a persistent creamy vanilla sweetness throughout. Brown sugar and ginger emerge more prominently in the finish than most pumpkin ales.

How does Vanilla Pumpkin Ale compare to Schlafly Pumpkin Ale? Schlafly's original Pumpkin Ale focuses squarely on traditional fall spices and malt, while the Vanilla variant adds a creamy, dessert-like sweetness that shifts the profile closer to pumpkin pie with whipped cream. Both share the same spice foundation, but the vanilla expression is noticeably smoother and sweeter on the palate.

Is Vanilla Pumpkin Ale good for sipping neat? Yes — at 8.0% ABV with a complex malt bill and layered spice, it rewards slow, contemplative drinking from a tulip glass or snifter, particularly when served slightly below room temperature.

Where is Vanilla Pumpkin Ale made? It is brewed at The Saint Louis Brewery, known as Schlafly, in St. Louis, Missouri. Schlafly is the largest independently owned craft brewery in the St. Louis area.

What foods pair well with Vanilla Pumpkin Ale? Roasted turkey or pork loin complement the ale's warm spice character. Pumpkin pie and pecan pie echo its dessert notes directly. Aged cheddar or gouda provide a savory contrast to the vanilla sweetness. Gingerbread cookies or spiced bread pudding reinforce the cinnamon-ginger backbone.

What sizes does Vanilla Pumpkin Ale come in? It is commonly available in a 6-pack of 12 oz bottles as a seasonal release.

Is Vanilla Pumpkin Ale worth the price? It positions as a mid-range seasonal craft ale with an 8.0% ABV and a layered spice-and-vanilla profile that goes well beyond basic pumpkin beers. Its BeerAdvocate score of 89 and strong Untappd rating of 3.9 out of 5 suggest solid value within the competitive seasonal ale category.

Why Vanilla Pumpkin Ale?

What separates this release from the crowded field of fall pumpkin beers is the deliberate integration of vanilla into an already proven spice-forward recipe. Schlafly's original Pumpkin Ale earned a 95 in a blind BJCP judging for Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine, and the Vanilla variant builds on that award-winning foundation with an added layer of creamy sweetness. The complex grain bill — five malts including Chocolate and Munich — provides genuine depth rather than one-note sweetness. For drinkers who find most pumpkin ales either too spicy or too thin, this 8.0% ABV seasonal strikes a rare balance between warmth, sweetness, and malt structure.