Punkin Ale - Dogfish Head Brewery

Lovinthebrew

Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +25.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

If you want a perfectly balanced Pumpkin Ale, this is it. Alot of others use too much spice and not enough pumpkin or too much pumpkin and barely any spice. This is an exceptionaly balanced flavored beer. Pours a reddish brown with a 2 finger head that dissipates quickly ( as expected for the stle of beer) Original smell is of pumpkin pie. mouthfeel is smooth, slightly clovy with a taste of Cinnamon, and finishes clean with more spices and Pumpkin coming through. This beer is even better if left at room temperature for a few minutes after taking out of the fridge. After drinking this i almost don't even want to try any of the other pumpkin ales, i will be buying a case of this every season!!!!

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2009 16:07:40 | More by Lovinthebrew

jsdunlop

North Carolina

5/5  rDev +25.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pours a light amber into my pint glass. This brew really brings the fall season into full swing, glad to have the opportunity to review it this year. Aromas of your standard run of the mill pumpkin pie spicing, along with a kick of hops to throw you for a loop. Taste is amazing, a balance of scent and taste in this one, with a slight bitterness and spice to start that reminds me of a rye brew, followed by a flavorful jolt of fall spices and a light, light hint of sweetness to finish it off. Alcohol is barely noticeable, good balance of malt while somehow managing to still account for a hop presence in a pumpkin beer. Mouthfeel is great, not too light, not too heavy, almost perfect with a medium body and mild carbonation. Drinkability is extremely high...definitely a pumpkin ale I will be having again this fall-

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2010 01:32:32 | More by jsdunlop

pcicere

Illinois

5/5  rDev +25.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

In 2007 I sample this beer. At that time, I did not think that it surpassed Brooklyn Brewery's Post Road Pumpkin Ale. It must has been an off year because there is no other pumpkin beer that can match Dogfish Head's Punkin Ale. It has the perfect balance of spice, pumpkin and brown sugar flavor. Fall is my favorite season and I think it is because Punkin Ale is the taste of the season.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2010 03:46:33 | More by pcicere

thebrood1987

New Jersey

5/5  rDev +25.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

It has that great burnt orange Halloween color to it with a smell of any Halloween pumpkin candle or pie. The smell is of exactly what the label says brown sugar, allspice, cinnamon and nutmeg with a hint of raw vegetable pumpkin.The taste mirrors this very well. Amazing taste of all these spices and that vegetable taste from the pumpkin.

Reminds of stronger Harvest Ale by Samuel Adams. The subtle hops come at the end to give it a tinge of bitterness that goes well with the overall dryness probably from the dry spices used. The alcohol is very well masked both in taste and smell and this beer just reminds me of Halloween time so much. From the packaging to the look to the smell and to the taste.

I never thought I'd be that into pumpkin beers until I tried this one. So, you can pretty much say this is the beer that turned me onto pumpkin beers. I also forgot to mention that the spices are pretty strong in this one so much so that it leaves the tip of your tongue numb but its very nice. Dogfish never disappoints when it comes to rich flavored full bodied beers.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2011 01:21:24 | More by thebrood1987

JGargano

Connecticut

5/5  rDev +25.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Hands down my favorite seasonal offering of the pumpkin variety. Punkin is complex with multiple, delicious flavors throughout each sip. There's coriander, cloves, and, of course pumpkin flavor that dominate each sip. What's so fantastic about this is that you don't all these flavors at once; they wash over your mouth individually. It's like eating a delicious pumpkin spice-cake. My only complaint is that each bottle is 250 calories! I only drink one per sitting due to the calorie count. Other than that there's nothing I can fault this delicious beer over!

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 18:45:14 | More by JGargano

JimmyK77

Delaware

4.97/5  rDev +25.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I normally love Punkin Ale anyway, but they had it cask-conditioned at their brewpub a few weeks ago. Oh Heaven, you have found me! Same great punkin ale with flavors of brown sugar, spice, and autumn. But with superb creamy smoothness and a hint of maple syrup from the cask conditioning. Just line them up!

Serving type: cask
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

10-13-2009 14:52:08 | More by JimmyK77

sgblais

Rhode Island

4.97/5  rDev +25.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Don't agree with many of the reviews on this page but to each their own. That's why craft beer is great.

Excellent offering all the way through. Pumpkin spice aroma is definitely there and a bit of an alcohol finish. Hands down the best fall beer out there, in my opinion. Enough said.

Serving type: bottle
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

09-07-2010 01:27:56 | More by sgblais

Danno48

West Virginia

4.95/5  rDev +24.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured her into the iconic dogfish glass and looked upon it with splendor and admiration.
Looked a tad bit cloudy at first then as it warmed with the glass it cleared up into a clear bright orange brown.

When I swirled it to get a good whiff I picked up a fantastic spiciness. A lil bit of cloves but mostly the obvious pumpkin pie spices/ cinnamon, nutmeg ect.

The taste is so great. Sweet but not too sweet, spicy but not too spicy, and most importantly... not a mega amount of pumpkin. What makes this beer taste great is fresh ingredients and balance. Enough Said.

It is the best pumpkin ale I have ever had and there are many to be had... Could not think of any
improvements.

Serving type: bottle
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

10-30-2012 02:27:09 | More by Danno48

JayS2629

Alabama

4.93/5  rDev +24.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured from a 12 oz bottle. One of those beers that me and the wife completely agree upon.

A- Caramel tone with a medium cascade of white head.

S- Smells like pumpkin pie. All the brewed ingredients are there. Pumpkin, allspice, brown sugar, and cinamon. The allspice and brown sugar stand out.

T- Liquid pumpkin pie with good ale. Sweet. Exactly as described. Perfectly balanced blend. Spicy with notes of allspice and brown sugar. You can tell real pumpkin was used. Absolutely delicious.

M- Well balanced and light with a slightly sticky sugary film. Very nice.

D- Swigging down a four pack is too easy. Absolutely elegant.

Serving type: bottle
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

10-30-2010 02:54:08 | More by JayS2629

nickthetick

Maryland

4.93/5  rDev +24.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A: pours a clear copper/ gold into a dimple mug with a finger and a half of dirty white head that slowly dissipates but last for the whole experience.

S: beautiful spices, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, brown sugar, caramel, and a whole lot of pumpkin.

T: the flavors mix so absolutely well its like drinking a pumpkin pie, mixed with a sprinkling of brown sugar. That's about it, delicious and simple.

MF: medium body, smooth, sweet, moderate carbonation.

O: this is my absolute favorite pumpkin beer so far, although I have a pumpking in the cupboard I'm looking forward to! I had a few of these in a DFH off centered pint rimmed with brown sugar on a crisp fall night, and It was one of my favorite beer experiences of last year.

Serving type: bottle
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

10-01-2011 04:19:06 | More by nickthetick

Oakenator

Pennsylvania

4.93/5  rDev +24.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Clearing last year's batch to make room for this year's... still an excellent beer and has cellared well despit low ABV. Appearance in the glass is a dark brown with a good amount amber mixed in. Good head and a hint of cloudiness. Smells of Halloween and fall time - nutmeg, cinnamon, brown sugar, and pumpkin meat - amazing aroma. Taste doesn't disappoint and follows up with more of the same. Any fresh hops have faded away by now but not needed anyway. Great beer and looking forward to the next batch.

Serving type: bottle
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

08-26-2012 23:38:53 | More by Oakenator

Guardian

Massachusetts

4.9/5  rDev +23.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A- Amber Hue, thick head, "crisp" looking

S- Cinnamon and sugar smell- like really good pot-pourri

T- Delicious...like drinking a gingerbread cookie. The alcohol content is very well disguised by the taste.

M- Leaves a tingly taste on the tongue, very pleasant

D- Slightly to thick and desserty tasting to drink too many...but hey that's why they come in a 4 pack.

This is an excellent beer, and one I will be purchasing again in the future.

Serving type: bottle
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

08-23-2007 18:21:31 | More by Guardian

mjrod2142

Massachusetts

4.9/5  rDev +23.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

I absolutely loved this beer.

16 oz. draft in a standard pint glass at Eastern Standard Kitchen in Boston

After being set in front of me by the bartender, I first noticed this beer had a creamy, yet thick head. The color was rich amber and clean-looking, not cloudy.

Pumpkin pie spice and nutmeg were in the aroma, but not overpowering.

Wow, I was very impressed with the mouthfeel of this beer. It was creamy with no hint of carbonation. The taste of pumpkin pie was deliciously subtle and never overbearing, which I prefer.

There's not much more to say. I loved this beer and thought it was absolutely perfect with Sunday brunch in the fall. Well done.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

10-09-2010 00:50:12 | More by mjrod2142

Ford

Texas

4.9/5  rDev +23.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Just had this for the first time last night at Flying Saucer in Houston. It was on tap.

This is the first beer with pumpkin in it that I have even liked... but I didn't like it, I loved it. So much flavor. Great smell. It feels like fall in your mouth I guess. I'm going to have to go find a six pack or two to pick up and keep around for the next few months.

Dogfish Head just know what they are doing. Great beer.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

09-17-2012 03:56:34 | More by Ford

THErealDK

Georgia

4.9/5  rDev +23.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

First of all Finding this beer was impossible so when I did you would have thought I won the lottery I was so happy. This beer is actually what made Dogfish head Famous, they served it at a festival that was based around lobbing pumpkins with crazy contraptions.

Lets get to it!

A: The over all appearance is nice, a dark amber color almost brown. The head is light, but creamy and went way to a thin layer after a few minutes.

S: The smell is where a lot of the money is made here. This brew has a lot of natural fresh spices, and you can tell when you take a sniff. On top of that, the fresh smell from the pumpkin meat used comes through as well making this a very enjoyable beer. I recommend taking a nice whiff before sipping this.

T: If the smell wasn't good enough, the taste is. This has a nice warm and yet refreshing taste. The fresh spices, and pumpkin make you feel like your eating moms pumpkin pie after a Thanksgiving dinner. The warm tones from this brew compliment the cold weather, and of course the holidays.

Overall this is probably the best Pumpkin Ale I have had. I have hunted down many but this takes the top pick for sure. The smell alone makes this beer enjoyable, and it hits a one two punch with its smooth flavor. This is a great evening beer, when you are relaxing after a long cool Fall days work, or enjoy with a big Thanksgiving meal.

Serving type: bottle
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

04-14-2013 07:03:56 | More by THErealDK

ggroller

Pennsylvania

4.88/5  rDev +22.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Great bottle label. No frills, here's the beer, drink it.

This bottle was proof that cellaring works. I had my first five, yeah five, Punkin in November 2004 and was not impressed. It was a decent brown ale but not a Pumpkin Ale. This bottle, however, was exceptional. A nice, clear amber beer with a sturdy two finger head that stuck to the glass and laced all the way down. Wonderful cinammon in the nose and on the tongue. Delicate, fruity hops in the finish created the need for another sip. I could have drank this all night but only had two left.

Serving type: bottle
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

02-06-2005 13:46:47 | More by ggroller

wilkowski

Maryland

4.88/5  rDev +22.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Poured a 12oz bottle into a Dogfish Head Snifter straight down the middle. I've had this particular bottle in my beer fridge for three months.

A: Bright ruby orange body. Minimal head. The glass is creating an active bubbling up the center.

S: Raw pumpkin. Allspice. Nutmeg. More pumpkin. Smells like an extremely fresh pumpkin pie in your glass. As good as advertised.

T: The spices dominate the taste. Allspice, cinnamon, brown ale malt, brown sugar. No pumpkin flavor on the palate.

M: Crisp and sharp carbonation when cold. Mouthfeel gets significantly smoother and richer as the beer warms. Good balance throughout.

D: Wonderful and warming. Slightly better with age, but after 3 months or 12 months it essentially drinks the same as it does in season. It doesn't age like some of Dogfish's bigger beers. One is good but two are better. This is everything you could hope for in a pumpkin ale.

Serving type: bottle
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

01-23-2011 06:04:09 | More by wilkowski

beersensei305

Florida

4.83/5  rDev +21.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

The beer pours a burnt orange, with a white head that dissipates quickly. Delicious smell like a pumpkin pie, spicy with cinnamon nutmeg and the all spice. The taste brings a perfect medley of flavors, sizable malt flavor with all the spiciness of the cinnamon, nutmeg, and all spice. The beer is smooth with a nice sweetness and subtle presence of pumpkin. I can drink this over and over again.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

10-24-2010 03:08:04 | More by beersensei305

Jettanbass9

Pennsylvania

4.8/5  rDev +20.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

I searched everywhere for this damn beer! I finally found the last case at Total Wine in Cherry Hill, NJ while i was there for work. This beer is seriously fall in a bottle. When i first had it and read the label, it claims to be a brown ale, it tasted more like a vienna lager/oktoberfest styled beer. However it was not disappointing at all... just caught me off guard a little. The spices and pumpkin are not overbearing at all... the perfect amount. This beer actually inspired me to brew my own pumpkin ale! Cheers to all who can find it/drink it!!!!

Serving type: bottle
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

11-02-2006 16:17:21 | More by Jettanbass9

posbasso

Texas

4.8/5  rDev +20.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This is the best of the "punkin'" ales out there that I've tried. Not to mention the good buzz (7% per bottle). The only down is that in my area the cost is $8.99. If it came in a six-pack (it only comes in four; might be because of alcohol content laws in TX) the price would make it easier to have around the house more often.

Serving type: bottle
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

10-12-2007 01:37:47 | More by posbasso

MeanGene

Pennsylvania

4.8/5  rDev +20.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

Without a doubt, the best Pumpkin beer I've ever had. Smells of rich cinnamon, nutmeg, and all spice. Compared to other Pumpkin beers I've had such as Jack's and Blue Moon's pumpkin offerings, you get the pumpkin taste on the back-end...more of an aftertaste.

I believe this resulted in the beer being extremely drinkable and not too sweet.

A truly terrific beer, great for the holidays. Definitely on the pricey side (51 bones or so/case) but worth it!

Serving type: bottle
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

11-22-2008 18:18:18 | More by MeanGene

aquatonex

New York

4.8/5  rDev +20.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours reddish chestnut with a short creamy head that quickly disspates but keep a moderate lacing. Nose is immediately spicy (cinnamon and nutmeg) and also malty sweet. Taste has strong alcohols, but the malts and spice strike a good balance.

This is probably the best pumpkin ale I've ever had.

Serving type: bottle
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

12-20-2008 02:47:23 | More by aquatonex

mempath

Pennsylvania

4.8/5  rDev +20.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

though it seemed weird to have a pumpkin ale in mid-Spring...my sister-in-law loves it and buys it when she can...but it was a cool rainy day so i had one. pours thick with spices already jumping out and into the nose...laces like a champion, dark color as expected...the label spills the secret...lots of allspice, cinammon...all that jazz, but it is so well-balanced from all levels: mouthfeel, nose, taste all just meld together. i have to get this when autumn rolls around and this is available again.

i have backed off holiday brews for some time...this makes me want to jump back in...this HAS to be the best pumpkin ale i've ever had. i used to love this style a few years ago...orange veggies are a favorite of mine. this is like liquid pumpkin bread with a cheesecake somewhere in the vicinity. worth every penny and drop.

Serving type: bottle
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

04-16-2009 14:41:00 | More by mempath

hippityhophead24

Tennessee

4.8/5  rDev +20.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I will do a side by side in the next week or two with a 2011, 2010, and 2008 (or maybe 2009). I'll report it after wards.
Appearance: golden amber color with a white one finger head. Retentions not too good, fades away very quickly. Tiny bubbles all over the place. Nice lacing though!

Smell: sweet caramel malt upfront. Nice spices, nutmeg, cinnamon. Very nice!

Taste: Bam! It’s got all the flavors a good pumpkin ale should. You’ve got your sweet malt, your holiday spices come through really well, slight pumpkin meat taste, and very subtle hop presence. Not over spiced, not under spiced, very well balanced.

Mouth feel: Almost too carbonated for me. Seems more than last years. Other than that, mouth feel is great. Slightly frothy after it sits for a few seconds. Swirl it around in the mouth to thicken it up a bit.

Overall: This is definitely my favorite pumpkin ale. Look forward to it every year. Very well balanced brew.

Glassware: 12oz bottle into Snifter

Serving type: bottle
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

09-09-2011 01:14:09 | More by hippityhophead24

Roose13

New Jersey

4.8/5  rDev +20.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Straight from the bottle

A: Copper colored

S: Smells amazing. Spices, pumpkin.

T: Sweet, but not too sweet. Subtle, balanced and just perfect. The spices are absolutely perfect, making this the king of pumpkins.

M: Very light. I don't like a heavy pumpkin beer.

Overall: Not a lot of words really except that this beer is the king of pumpkins. DFH scores big again.

Serving type: bottle
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

10-06-2012 05:37:29 | More by Roose13