Schlafly Export India Pale Ale - The Saint Louis Brewery, Saint Louis

I first had the Schalfly Export India Pale Ale at the Schlafly Taproom in Saint Louis this summer. Not only was the Export I.P.A. on tap but they were serving it from the cask. Normally, I don't order I.P.A.s when I go out - since they aren't really my favorite style of beer to drink. Since my goal for the summer was to find an I.P.A. that I genuinely enjoyed, I was felt compelled to order the cask I.P.A., and I'm glad I did. Very first impressions of the Export I.P.A. were great, it was served in a snifter after all. The taste of this beer was quite remarkable, it wasn't like any I.P.A. I'd had before. Schlafly managed to make a very balanced I.P.A. ...well, very balanced FOR an I.P.A., meaning it's not just a hop bomb. The Export I.P.A. has plenty of sweet flavors to balance out the spicy and harsh hops that come with being an India Pale Ale.

Schlafly's Export I.P.A. had a great caramel flavor and was very creamy. There is still a very obvious hop component to this beer. It's still spicy and hoppy but without being dry or bitter like other Pale Ales. If you have the opportunity to try this I.P.A., especially if it's on tap, you should jump on it. While the cask aging adds an extra level or depth and richness to this beer's flavors, even out of the bottle it's a great beer worth picking up and savoring from your favorite snifter.