Punkin Ale - Dogfish Head Brewery

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

4.58/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

12 oz bottle poured into a Bruery tulip.
7% ABV, Bottled in 2012 printed in yellow on neck.

A - Dogfish Head's Punkin pours a crystal clear pumpkin orange color with amber low-lights and candle glow yellow high-lights. Brilliant! A solid off-white head that's dense and creamy like whipped topping is produced from a somewhat vigorous pour but it doesn't have the greatest retention. Thin lace traces outlines of a mountain range on the tulip.

S - Punkin Ale's upfront malty nose consists of sweet caramel and light toast notes with a real pumpkin aroma and a good, moderate level of spicing Dashes of allspice and nutmeg are prevalent while a sprinkle of cinnamon remains largely overshadowed. Gooey brown sugar sweetness steps in before this beer concludes with a crisp grassy hop aroma that delicately balances the pumpkin beer to keep it, well, a beer.

T - This might be one of the more balanced, subtle beers Dogfish Head produces. Punkin keeps the pumpkin real with traces of the roasted gourd among the spicing which slowly builds in presence as the beer is consumed. The brown ale base blends almost perfectly with the allspice, nutmeg, and cinnamon and the caramel and toasted malt notes work in tandem with lingering brown sugar sweetness. Once again, the beer is kept a beer with a great finish of soft earthy hops that lingers with traces of spiciness.

M - Creamy and smooth like a piece of pumpkin pie, Punkin's slightly higher carbonation gives the beer a generous crispness that, with the dry hopiness and spice finish, works to keep the sweetness at bay nicely. Thin alcohol is miniscule on the back end adding just a slight, passing warmth which works wonders on the colder fall days.

O - Completely cohesive from start to finish, Dogfish Head Punkin Ale manages to, almost effortlessly, take a nice and malty brown ale with gentle hoppy earth tones, a perfect beer for the season, and integrate real pumpkin and spice all while maintaining the bottom line; it's still a beer. I personally prefer my pumpkin ales a little more pumpkin-rich, but this beer is absolutely outstanding and warrants a try from anyone who's not yet enjoyed it.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2012 22:47:08 | More by BeerFMAndy

jkane101

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -11.8%

05-19-2013 02:37:44 | More by jkane101

TXhomebrewer

Texas

4/5  rDev +0.8%

05-19-2013 01:23:14 | More by TXhomebrewer

beernads

Florida

3.5/5  rDev -11.8%

05-18-2013 07:03:30 | More by beernads

megamass

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +0.8%

05-18-2013 04:11:12 | More by megamass

SmellsofMahagony

Texas

4/5  rDev +0.8%

05-17-2013 01:32:45 | More by SmellsofMahagony

ElizabethEleanor

Texas

5/5  rDev +25.9%

05-16-2013 20:30:42 | More by ElizabethEleanor

maxcoinage

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +7.1%

05-15-2013 19:42:36 | More by maxcoinage

JGam115

New York

4.71/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

From my Untappd history. Poured at The Yard House in Yonkers.

A: Kind of a muted brown hue mixed with amber. Off-white head. You would think the beer would be opaque, but this one was rather clear.

S: You're immediately hit with the spice blend - I think cinnamon and allspice. Don't think there's any nutmeg in there. The pumpkin fruit they use is crazy good though because it comes through without being too sweet or overpowered by the spices.

T: This always reminds me of the fall and I also use it to benchmark other pumpkin beers. The alcohol comes through even though it's 7%, but it's a pleasant flavor. The malts work with the organic pumpkins extremely well.

M: Great feeling on the palette and even better finish. I crave cider doughnuts and a campfire immediately after swallowing.

O: This is my quintessential pumpkin/fall beer. It's the perfect mix of fruit and spices.

Serving type: on-tap

05-14-2013 18:51:56 | More by JGam115

jokulhaps

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +7.1%

05-13-2013 02:38:22 | More by jokulhaps

mikeburd1128

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +0.8%

05-12-2013 17:47:23 | More by mikeburd1128

ipas-for-life

Virginia

4/5  rDev +0.8%

05-12-2013 16:14:50 | More by ipas-for-life

Jade

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +7.1%

05-11-2013 00:12:10 | More by Jade

Curloftheburl

Connecticut

4/5  rDev +0.8%

05-10-2013 20:21:34 | More by Curloftheburl

twenty5

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +0.8%

05-10-2013 17:53:33 | More by twenty5

paulromeroii

California

3/5  rDev -24.4%

05-10-2013 06:32:22 | More by paulromeroii

HinghamRick

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -5.5%

05-09-2013 11:48:58 | More by HinghamRick

2Xmd

New York

4.25/5  rDev +7.1%

05-08-2013 03:38:21 | More by 2Xmd

BDstripp

Florida

4/5  rDev +0.8%

05-08-2013 01:43:34 | More by BDstripp

dalepryor

Kentucky

4/5  rDev +0.8%

05-07-2013 22:18:39 | More by dalepryor

blknikon

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +0.8%

05-07-2013 21:50:40 | More by blknikon

pcsnyder

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +7.1%

05-07-2013 17:42:59 | More by pcsnyder

JoshBrews

Missouri

3.5/5  rDev -11.8%

05-07-2013 15:57:12 | More by JoshBrews

ajtorres311

Florida

4/5  rDev +0.8%

05-01-2013 15:28:08 | More by ajtorres311

Iamstryker

New Jersey

4.75/5  rDev +19.6%

04-30-2013 02:28:35 | More by Iamstryker