Recent news of the annual release of Schlafly's award winning Pumkin Ale (see the Hoosier Beer Geek archives here and here) meant that a stop at Shallo's was in order. We stopped in last evening for a pint of our favorite pumpkin. This year's Pumpkin Ale is ever bit as rewarding as those in years past, with the same big spicy nose and front as well as all the pumpkin, brown sugar, nutmeg, clove, and cinnamon flavors that we've come to know. Despite the huge flavors, I drank my glass almost as fast as water, proving that spicy and flavorful can also mean highly drinkable.
While tempted to have more than one of the Schlafly, a tap handle from Breckenridge caught my eye. Currently available on tap - as well as in bottles - at Shallo's, Breckenridge Autumn was a camping trip in a glass. As a young man I spent many weekend evenings at a backwoods Illinois clubhouse amongst friends, and this beer has something that brings that back (and it's not a similarity to all the Milwaukee's Best Light we drank back in those heady days).
Baking or dark chocolate comes through in Autumn's nose, followed by a dry campfire / leafy smoke kind of flavor - remember burnt leaves? Those flavors come through, but not in a rauch/smoke beer kind of way. Instead, Autumn delivers subdued, flavorful, but not dominating outdoorsy flavor. It's a beer that deserves its name.
I recommend stopping by Shallo's for a pint when you can - Tuesday's overheard bar conversations involved not only sock rotation, but also landscaping, and the use of batteries versus pull start sex toys and/or landscaping tools. A rewarding experience all around.
Thanks to Doug at Shallo's for the addition props used in the photos for this post.
I have been looking for a good pumpkin beer for quite some time. Thanks for the great post! Any suggestions on any other great pumpkins beers and where to get them?
ReplyDeleteThanks and keep up the great content!
This is old content, but our pumpkin beer challenge should put you on a helpful path.
ReplyDeleteAs far as where to find beer, one of our local distributors - World Class Beverages - has a handy beerspy tool on their website. I'd just type pumpkin in the search box and go from there.
Are those pint glasses?
ReplyDeleteYes, Shallo's has cheater pint glasses. If this upsets you, don't visit Shallo's.
ReplyDeleteI happen to like the folks at Shallo's enough that I'm willing to overlook two ounces of beer.
It only upsets me to the point where I leave Anon comments on blog postings recommending them for a 'pint'. Cheater pints are an insult to Indy beer drinkers.
ReplyDeleteI'd be interested to hear others' opinions. I don't mind all the happy-talk on this site, but if a place is ripping you off, they're ripping you off.
It was my use of the word pint, not Shallo's - in fact, our very own Matt had a similar concern about Shallo's prices and brought up that Shallo's receipts said "pint" - if you check that receipt now, there's no use of the word.
ReplyDeleteWould you have preferred I said glass? To me it's just semantics, but perhaps I failed to understand the importance of the issue to some readers.
My issue simply needs to be full and fair disclosure with a place. If they use 14 oz glasses, go right ahead and use 14 oz glasses, but don't call it a pint on your menu, your staff can't call it a pint, and my receipt can't say pint either.
ReplyDeleteGive the consumer the information and let them make up their own minds.
I go to Shallo's though still because of the bartender Doug. He is good people, and I will continue to frequent Shallo's just because he is working there.
Personally, with prices in Indianapolis all over the board, and the increased usage of specialty glasses, I've lost track of how much I'm paying per ounce. I drink at places with good beer, and I really don't want to get drunk so I don't mind glasses of different sizes.
ReplyDeleteI go to Shallo's because they have a great selection of draft beer. Sure, it's 14oz shaker glasses but some of the beers would be served in 8 or 10oz glasses at other establishments. Plus I can try a variety of beers that I can't necessarily get other places.
I fully understand "the principle of the thing," but personally I don't get bent out of shape for that reason very often. When they say "pints" they're talking about shaker glasses, which people commonly refer to as pint glasses (they're thinking it's a beer glass, not a 16oz glass). It's just a perception thing and it's easier to call the glasses something people will recognize. I really don't think there is a vast conspiracy to take over the world 2oz at a time at Shallo's.
If you order a Pumpkin Ale at Schlafly's pub in St. Louis, they give you a 10 oz. snifter. So you're really +4 oz.
ReplyDelete...when I get to 7 oz., that means my glass is half full :)