Best Places To Buy O'fallon Vanilla Pumpkin Beer

O'Fallon Brewery is a small craft brewery located just north and west of St. Louis, Missouri. They have been brewing their O'Fallon Pumpkin Beer for over 10 years and are known for developing innovative beer styles and flavours. One such flavour is their Vanilla Pumpkin beer, which combines their original spice blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove with cold-pressed Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla. While the beer is available in a 6-pack of bottles, finding it locally can be a challenge. BeerMenus, for example, has stated that none of the nearby places listed on their website carry this beer.

O'Fallon Brewery location

O'Fallon Brewery is located at 45 Progress Parkway, Maryland Heights, St. Louis, MO, 63043-3701. It is a small craft brewery that was founded in January 2000 in O'Fallon, Missouri. In June 2015, the brewery moved to a 40,000 sq ft facility in Maryland Heights, which is just north and west of St. Louis.

The O'Bar, the brewery's tasting room and restaurant, is located across from Westport Plaza. The brewery is known for its unique ingredients and local collaborations. They offer a variety of beers, including their popular O'Fallon Pumpkin Beer, as well as flatbreads, chicken wings, and other dishes.

The brewery has received mixed reviews, with some praising the beer and food while others have had issues with the service and found the atmosphere lacking. However, it remains a popular destination for craft beer lovers and those looking for outdoor dining in the area.

Vanilla Pumpkin reviews

O'Fallon Brewery's Vanilla Pumpkin Beer is a seasonal offering that has been brewed for over a decade. It is a spiced beer with 5.5% ABV and approximately 160 calories. The beer is brewed with locally produced cold-pressed Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla and a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove, giving it a distinct "pumpkin pie" flavour.

Reviews for the Vanilla Pumpkin Beer have been generally positive, with many praising its unique flavour and aroma. One reviewer described it as "like a slice of pumpkin pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on it," capturing the essence of the beer's flavour profile. Another reviewer commended the beer's balance of spices and vanilla, stating that it tasted like "pumpkin pie in a bottle."

Some reviewers, however, found the beer to be underwhelming. One review described the beer as "bland," suggesting that the pumpkin and apple cider flavours were too mild. Another review mentioned that the aroma had an "unwanted hint of vinegar," detracting from the overall experience.

The beer's appearance also received mixed responses. While some described it as "clear amber with a good near-white head," others noted that it had a "semi-opaque dull orange appearance" with "almost no lace."

Overall, the O'Fallon Brewery's Vanilla Pumpkin Beer seems to be well-received by those who appreciate its unique blend of spices and vanilla. For those seeking a strong pumpkin flavour or a more robust beer, this particular brew may not meet their expectations.

Beer ratings

O'Fallon Vanilla Pumpkin Beer has received mixed reviews from drinkers on BeerAdvocate and Untappd. While some praise its well-balanced blend of spices and vanilla, others find it overly sweet or bland. Here's a more detailed breakdown of the ratings:

BeerAdvocate users have given the beer an average rating of around 3.5 out of 5. One reviewer, bluejacket74 from Ohio, describes the beer as having a "hazy golden/orange colour" and a light aroma of vanilla, bready malt, and pumpkin spices. They also note that the taste has "more kick" and is easy to drink. Another reviewer, mfnmbvp from Illinois, mentions that they couldn't detect any vanilla notes and found the beer to be similar to cola-flavoured candies.

Untappd users provide a range of ratings, from 2.4 to 4.24 out of 5. One reviewer, Chris H, mentions that the 2023 batch had too much clove. William Purifoy finds the beer overwhelmingly sweet, with a light vanilla presence. However, other reviewers like Treyliff from West Virginia and REVZEB from Illinois appreciate the well-balanced blend of vanilla and spices, comparing the taste to pumpkin pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Overall, while some drinkers rave about the beer's ability to capture the flavours of pumpkin pie and vanilla ice cream, others are less impressed by the sweetness or the subdued vanilla notes. It's important to note that individual preferences play a significant role in these ratings, and beer enthusiasts may have varying tastes when it comes to spice and sweetness levels.

Beer ingredients

The O'Fallon Vanilla Pumpkin beer is a seasonal offering from the O'Fallon Brewery, located in Maryland Heights, Missouri. Unfortunately, there are no nearby places listed on BeerMenus that sell this beer.

Now, let's talk about the ingredients that go into making a delicious beer like the O'Fallon Vanilla Pumpkin. The four main ingredients used in brewing beer are malt, hops, yeast, and water. However, brewers may also use adjuncts and finings to add unique flavours and improve clarity.

Malt, usually made from barley, is the principal source of fermentable sugar in beer. It provides the fuel for fermentation and contributes to the flavour, mouthfeel, and colour of the beer. Malt can be roasted to different degrees, with darker malts producing darker beers. Specialty malts, such as chocolate malt, can be used to add more distinct flavours and character to the beer.

Hops are the green, cone-shaped flowers of the hop plant. They are used to add bitterness, flavour, and aroma to the beer. Hops also act as a natural preservative, helping to stabilise the beer and prolong its shelf life. Different varieties of hops contribute unique flavour and aroma profiles, such as citrus, floral, or herbal notes.

Yeast is a type of fungus that plays a crucial role in fermentation. It metabolises the sugars derived from malt, converting them into ethanol (alcohol) and carbon dioxide. The type of yeast used greatly influences the character and flavour of the beer. Common types include top-fermenting yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and bottom-fermenting yeast (Saccharomyces pastorianus).

Water is the main ingredient in beer, accounting for about 93% of its weight. The mineral content and dissolved bicarbonate levels in water can vary by region, which can influence the finished taste of the beer. For example, Dublin's hard water is ideal for brewing stout, while the Plzeň Region's soft water is perfect for brewing Pilsner.

In addition to these core ingredients, brewers may use adjuncts, which are alternative sources of fermentable sugars. Adjuncts can be used to create lighter beers or add unique flavours. Examples of adjuncts include maize (corn), rice, wheat, oats, and even fruits or spices.

Finally, finings or clarifying agents are sometimes added to improve the clarity of the beer. These agents help remove contaminants and proteins, resulting in a bright and clean-looking beer. Common finings include isinglass, Irish moss, kappa carrageenan, and gelatin.

Similar beers

If you're a fan of O'Fallon Vanilla Pumpkin Beer, there are several similar beers you might enjoy. Here are some alternatives that offer a similar taste experience:

• Jack O'Latté by O'Fallon Brewery: This pumpkin milk stout is aged on coffee beans, giving it a unique latte character. It also features flaked oats, lactose, and coffee malt, along with a house-made spiced tea blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove for that seasonal flavour.
• Pumpkin Red Ale by O'Fallon Brewery: A rich and malty beer with a toasted caramel candy sweetness. This ale uses a blend of smoked malts and a touch of salt to achieve a soft, natural smoked bacon flavour that balances with the sweet caramel notes. Real pumpkin and natural maple are added to round out the pumpkin candied bacon theme.
• Salted Caramel Pumpkin by O'Fallon Brewery: A malt-forward caramel-flavoured ale that strikes a perfect balance between sweet and salty. This beer uses a blend of caramel malts and lactose for creaminess, along with a touch of Pink Himalayan Sea Salt for contrast. It also includes pumpkin puree and a spice blend for a subtle pumpkin pie character.
• Petty Officer Pumpkin Ale by At Ease Brewing Company: Although there is limited information available about this beer, it is mentioned alongside O'Fallon Vanilla Pumpkin Beer on a beer-rating platform, suggesting it may have similar characteristics.
• Abyssal Horseman by Abyssal Brewing: Again, details are scarce for this beer, but its appearance on a rating platform alongside O'Fallon's offering indicates it could be worth trying if you're seeking similar flavours.

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