Punkin Ale - Dogfish Head Brewery

Treebs

Illinois

2.63/5  rDev -33.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into my DFH signature glass. Bottled in 2011.

A: Pours a perfect amber, leaning towards the darker side, with a small half finger very light khaki head that that fades into a thin ring and small pillow of film in the center from the etching.

S: Pretty disappointing. It's hard to pick up anything. Slight pumpkin and a slight cinnamon, but that's about it.

T: Very light pumpkin and then the spices take over. The allspice is leading the way with a slight cinnamon. Malts are the backbone for this. So far my expectations have not been met.

M: Nice mouthfeel. Good carbonation, medium bodied. Slight spice left on the palate.

O: Wow was I let down. After having Pumpking I was very happy to get a 4-pack of this and try them side-by-side. Punkin did not show up at first and when it did it left with its tail between its leg. Very disappointing.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2011 21:31:55 | More by Treebs

Arbitrator

California

2.68/5  rDev -32.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

On tap at Bailey's Taproom in downtown PDX.

A: Pours a clear coppery color (like pumpkin juice... SORPRIZE!) with moderate head, decent retention, and a few rings of lace down the glass. Pretty nice.

S: Pumpkin, nutmeg, cinnamon, and biscuit. Pretty decent, but after having had a better pumpkin ale the night before, it's not pungent enough to wow me.

T: This tastes like spicy pumpkin soda. An artificial pumpkin flavor to it (which is weird, because I know this is brewed with real pumpkin), finishing with cinnamon, nutmeg, and biscuit. A malty finish. No burn.

M: Fizzy and overcarbonated, which may explain the soda comparison; it's light-bodied and even a bit watery.

D: First and probably last time having this.

Serving type: on-tap

11-03-2009 22:20:54 | More by Arbitrator

mrunseen

Washington

2.68/5  rDev -32.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Poured into a Leffe glass.

Appearance: Poured a golden / bronze color with an initial head of about two fingers which disappeared during the session. Very little lacing.

Nose: There is some spice in the nose, which I was able to detect in the taste as well ... sweet and spicy smell with a hint of alcohol.

Taste: Not as spicy as the nose would allude to, although, admittedly, I am not a pumpkin ale fan. I did not taste pumpkin in this beer.

Mouth: Thin and a bit watery. The alcohol was detectable. Overall, I was unimpressed.

Drinkability: If you like the taste, this would be a drinkable beer. However, as it's not quite my type of beer, I will not be having this particular beer again.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2010 06:12:34 | More by mrunseen

Minkybut

Virginia

2.68/5  rDev -32.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

I poured this pumpkin beer into my tumbler at 45 degrees. I had seen it on the TV on a show about the brewery and wanted to try it as it sounded pretty good. I would have to tell you no I do not like it it at all. Poured it out in fact and will not buy again.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2011 17:09:46 | More by Minkybut

jed

Pennsylvania

2.7/5  rDev -32%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Appearance: Pours a light orange, amber color with a small head, no lacing.

Smell: Very sweet and spicy aroma. Clear nutmeg, cinnamon scents. Punkin' smells much spicier than other pumpkin brews and less like the actual dessert.

Taste: Initially sour with very strong allspice, cinnamon, and nutmeg flavors, almost like Old Bay. A hint of hops, and more brown sugar as the beer sits. The sourness fades about halfway through the beer, but you still get a weird, yeast/vegetable aftertaste that spoils the brew.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, with light carbonation. The aftertaste lingers a bit.

Drinkability: I can't see having more than one of these. Taste aside, the 7% alcohol is pretty formidable, especially for a pumpkin beer.

I'm a huge fan of Dogfish Head, but I can't say I care for this beer. It needs more malt or hops to balance the spices, which overpower the brew's taste. If you're interested in this style, I'd suggest trying Post Road Pumpkin Ale instead.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2003 23:34:45 | More by jed

gonzo46and2

Florida

2.7/5  rDev -32%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Had this as a side by side comparison with the Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin Ale. Also, I'd like to make it clear that I am a very big fan of DFH's IPAs and Brown Ale.

Pours a copper red color with good clarity and a small white head.

Aroma is pumpkin spice with a huge emphasis on the nutmeg. Other spice was detectable like cinnamon and there was a bit of hops.

Taste was pretty flat to me. Mostly wet hops and pumpkin spice. Not very good. There wasn't a good beer taste. It just didn't seem to have a backbone.

Mouthfeel was stingy and watery. Very one-dimensional. Won't get this one again.

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2008 07:19:02 | More by gonzo46and2

Vendetta

New Jersey

2.7/5  rDev -32%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

Original Rating Date:
September 19, 2008

Pours light brown, smells like pumpkin pie. Lots of brown sugar and ginger, pumpkin flavor. Sweet. A bit too much carbonation, some stinging alcohol there also which is uncharacteristic for a DFH brew. Average at best.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2008 18:23:21 | More by Vendetta

MisterClean

California

2.7/5  rDev -32%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

On tap at pacific beach taphouse.

A - Poured copper-golden with 1 finger of head that dissipated fast. Left no lacing.

S/T - Honey and subtle notes of cinnamon and clove. Where is the malt complexity and the hops?

M - Light bodied and malt dominated. I could not get a smidgen of hop goodness out of this beer.

D - Sam needs another go at this one. For a brewery that sells beer at a premium, this one needed some help. It lacked distinct pumpkin flavors, the spice aroma was faint, and the ale was lifeless.

Serving type: on-tap

10-20-2009 05:33:03 | More by MisterClean

beagle75

Iowa

2.7/5  rDev -32%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a tulip glass.

A: Clear, medium amber color with peripheral ring of white foam. No lacing remains on the glass.

S: Very spicy smell, featuring cloves and nutmeg; also with faint cola and cornmeal.

T: Begins mildly spicy, displaying flavors such as cinnamon and nutmeg, with distinct corn tortilla that is re-asserted at the end of the surprisingly bitter finish.

M: Medium viscosity with prickly carbonation that seems to interfere with the depth of flavors present.

D: Although referred to as a "full-bodied brown" ale on the label, this is more like a pale ale with aggressive spices added. The unpleasant flavors here may lend themselves more acceptably to the company of mild savory dishes, but taken alone they cannot help but be called into question.

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2010 04:54:06 | More by beagle75

Sneers

New York

2.73/5  rDev -31.2%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I'm having this for the first time in a while, so I figured I'd rereview with my (hopefully) improved tasting abilities.

Pours an orange-tainted copper. There's not much head on top, and there's little visible carbonation. Sort of a dull pour, really.

The aroma is mostly spice. Nutmeg and allspice are present up front. After some warming and opening up, the cinnamon becomes present. There's a slight, bright grassiness that contrasts the spices, but seems a little out of place; fortunately, its not a major player.

The flavor leaves something to be desired. The spices are all there, this time accompanied by a bit of hop bitterness and a little sweetness. However, Punkin lacks that round maltiness that I feel a pumpkin ale needs to feel balanced; without it the beer tastes a little hollow.

The mouthfeel is fine, but unremarkable.

I enjoyed Punkin a lot less than I think I did last year. It's not so much a bad beer as one that I feel lacks a solid grip on the senses. If you like the style, I'd say give it a try, but it's probably one that won't make it into my (admittedly small) fall rotation of pumpkin ales.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2011 04:10:06 | More by Sneers

SaCkErZ9

Florida

2.75/5  rDev -30.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Dispensed from a 12oz bottle into a pint glass. Beer emerges a very light amber color, certainly not indicative of a brown ale. No brown to speak of. Head is white but has nice retention. Minimal lacing on the glass.

Aroma is weak. Not much if any pumpkin or other pumpkin type aromas. Sweet smelling. Not much hops in the nose here either. Possibly some molasses but otherwise, a very average beer, aroma wise.

Taste is overly sweet and completely unbalanced. I taste small amounts of cinnamon and cloves, but otherwise, just a regular ale. Certainly not a brown, maybe closer to a light red ale. Very dissapointed here as well.

Overall, not a good beer. Mouthfeel has some redeeming qualities as it is close to medium bodied. I do like the spicy cinnamon that pops all over the mouth, almost like strong pepper or pop rocks. Some astringency detracts and deters. I purchased a four pack of this, and it will probably be the only four I ever purchase.

I dont know why it is so hard to make a good pumpkin beer. I have had two pumpkin beers (Post Road and Cottonwood) that are actually pumpkiny and balanced and the whole nine. I love this style and wish there were more offerings that tasted like pumpkin and the fall season, etc. Sigh...

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2006 17:42:26 | More by SaCkErZ9

Stubbie1

Connecticut

2.78/5  rDev -30%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

A beer that pours a deep copper color. A slight copper-ish/tan head on top. Fades to a thin lace then spotty patches. So far so good but after the appearance, this beer falls apart. Aroma is of spice, nutmeg cinnamon a bit of malt but very little pumpkin. I found it (the pimpkin) hard to find. Taste matches the aroma. Where is the pumpkin? I was hoping for a gritty earthy tone of the pumpkin to complement the spices but was let down. Medium body and carbonation. Drinkability is great if you’re into spiced beers but as for a pumpkin beer goes…there are better

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2005 15:33:50 | More by Stubbie1

mlazzaro

Massachusetts

2.78/5  rDev -30%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

bottled in 2010. fresh pumpkin beer.

I was kind of surprised to see the ratings on this beer. I remember liking it a lot more. Being 7% ABV, it would certainly age well. But this time I found it to be boozy and somewhat spice dominant rather than actual pumpkin flavors.

a- More of an amber ale than a brown as the bottle states. Some head retention issues, maybe due to the alcohol content. I will say it is remarkably clear.

s- Smells like a spiced up barley wine.

t+m+d- It tastes rather young. Boozy and sweet. I kind of find the spice dosage to be overpowering. There is notable pumpkin flavor, but it is masked by so many other stronger flavors. and although I love my high ABV beers, it just doesn't seem to fit into this beer. The harsh booziness is distracting from the pumpkin, which is the reason I bought this particular beer. Kind of a mess. Maybe its too fresh/young.

I am usually not so critical. I love Dogfish Head and don't mean to rip on them. Just being honest with this beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2010 17:11:42 | More by mlazzaro

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

2.8/5  rDev -29.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a clean orange-ish yellow color, with a white head. Aromas of nutmeg, cinnamon and allspice. In the taste, nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, and a brown sugar sweetness. A spicy mouthfeel, with a dry brown sugar aftertaste. Nice spices, yet a bit sweet. Not much of pumpkin presence, yet still nice.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2007 10:42:06 | More by OWSLEY069

rohrbachsfan

New York

2.8/5  rDev -29.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Appearance: Clear amber orange, little head, no lacing on glass.

Smell: Smells like sweet alcohol with a hint of spice.

Taste: Weak pumpkin flavor, nutmeg is the spice that stands out, and it's just a little too sweet.

Mouthfeel: Thin.

Drinkability: Wouldn't buy this one again.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2008 01:09:23 | More by rohrbachsfan

cbutova

Massachusetts

2.8/5  rDev -29.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

A- Murky orange-brown with a large off-white, frothy head. Good retention and a ton of fine lace.

S- Smells like typical pumpkin ale spice and a bit sour actually, lacto-esque for sure. "Bottled in 2010 5E" Mostly nutmeg with a little bit of pumpkin behind it.

T- One thing that jumps out at me right away is the alcohol, not hidden at all for 7%. The nutmeg stacks with the alcohol to make a slightly offensive flavor. The cinnamon is also highly present, too spicy. I get some nice pumpkin notes but they seem random, having to get past the spiceahol. The more I drink, the more I get that "wet dog" vibe.

MF- Light creamy body with a moderate amount of carbonation. Pretty warm from alcohol. Huge coat of spice coats the palate.

DB- Between the alcohol and the spices, I would prefer to split even the 12oz. A good pumpkin flavor masked by way too much spice flavor and alcohol. I probably should have been ready for this. I guess unbalanced is most appropriate here.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2010 02:43:32 | More by cbutova

cvm4

Mississippi

2.8/5  rDev -29.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

This is from a 12oz. bottle from the 2011 release.

A - Upon pour, you get a nice amber color with just a hint of haze to it. The head was at least a good 2 fingers (might have poured too quickly) with minimal lacing. It quickly dissipates into a ring of foam around the glass.

S - With all the spices listed on the label, it's hard to discern individual smells.

T - Overloaded with spices and very little pumpkin taste, which disappointed me. The cinnamon is somewhat muted along with the pumpkin but I did get tons of allspice. I was hoping to taste more pumpkin.

M - Great medium bodied with the right amount of carbonation.

O - I was really let down. Too many spices going on in this beer and not enough pumpkin taste.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2011 22:04:18 | More by cvm4

bcsbeer

Florida

2.8/5  rDev -29.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75

A: Hazy amber with a off white Dogfish Head. Reduced down to a ring with spotty lacing.

S: Not a lot for the nose.

T: Medicinal with a big alcohol presents. Clove and cinnamon with some pumpkin in the back round.
M: Was a little syrupy with low carbonation.

O: This was the last one of the 4 pk I bought in the fall. I have been avoiding it in the back of my refrigerator for several months, nothing changed. Not a good year for DFH. I have have had it in the past and liked it, and will give it another try this year.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2013 04:48:19 | More by bcsbeer

vtfan77

Virginia

2.83/5  rDev -28.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

A- Clear golden orange with a decent but short-lived white head

S- Very spicy, but tough to pick out any individual spices. Some malt and maybe a little pumpkin, but not much.

T- Once again, lots of spices. Allspice and nutmeg are prevalent. Some caramel and toffee malt flavors as well. Pumpkin isn't especially noticeable, only coming into play on the finish. Alcohol is surprisingly noticeable. I know this is 7% abv, but it tastes stronger. Finish is dry and surprisingly bitter. Pretty harsh.

M- Mouthfeel is medium-full bodied and pretty nice.

D- Not so good. Flavor and alcohol presence are pretty strong. I wouldn't want more than one, if that.

My first pumpkin ale, and kind of a letdown. The flavor is just not what I was expecting at all. The spices and alcohol were too much, and I didn't really enjoy it. It wasn't horrible, but I wouldn't get it again. Not recommended.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2006 01:24:00 | More by vtfan77

BeerCheese

Wisconsin

2.83/5  rDev -28.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Crystal clear and light brown. Big white head with big pillowy bubbles in it. No head retention to speak of though. Smell of ginger and a bit of pumpkin. Taste of pumpkin pie and beer blended together. No carbonation to speak of, and medium body. Not something I would ever buy again, but worth trying once.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2007 06:37:16 | More by BeerCheese

dmb13nd

Washington

2.83/5  rDev -28.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Tried this on tap, unfortunately, after trying a different pumpkin ale that performed much better. The pumpkin taste was too subtle, allowing the spices to slightly overpower it. Hoppy aftertaste, which I normally don't mind had a small twinge to it that I can't quite put my finger on right now.

Serving type: on-tap

09-05-2012 20:04:58 | More by dmb13nd

Vancer

Illinois

2.88/5  rDev -27.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2

Clear amber brown, with a decent, but wimpy, ivory head that pops off some weak lace rings.

Rest is all disappointing, aroma is of weak pumpkin and clove. Taste trys to make it, but lacks any real commitment to the Punk. This is just a brown with some spices thrown in. And an average pumpkin, but for the freaking high dollar cost ($13 a four pack) – the drinkability really lacks. Local beers at a lot better cost whip this ones’ ass.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2007 16:06:10 | More by Vancer

laintringulis

Ohio

2.9/5  rDev -27%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

served in a pubglass

Pours a bronze-orange color with small loose foamy white head. Large amount of tight carbonation.

Smells like a good herbal tea. Cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger. Vague sweetness, vanilla, maple, light oakiness. No real pumpkin smell.

Very mild/vague pumpkin taste. If I didn't know there was pumpkin in it, I don't think I would have tasted it. Malty sweet, nice spicy blend of nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, giner. Tastes like you brewed an herbal tea bag in a beer.

Mouthfeel too syrupy at first, finishes with a spicy and hot alcohol finish. Starchy in the middle.

Light plus bodied, nicely carbonated. I would have rated the drinkability higher if I liked the taste more.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2006 05:35:35 | More by laintringulis

AndoBrew

Georgia

2.93/5  rDev -26.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

*i did not like and will not buy*

app: orange with gold hints, neat lookin .. like halloween. lil cream head.

smell: pine smelling hops. nutmeg.. smells more like a good candle flavor .. if it smelled stronger.

taste: lotsa odd hops, little bit of nutmeg in the finish.. not much punkin.. it is a rude beer, so I can see how the name came about, it seems un balanced, almost like a medicine for a second or two. not for me. to un blended and balanced, to harsh, not enough warming malts to give it a good backbone.

mf: fine

drinkable?: kinda, its not really good though.

keep on trying DFH I love the intresting efforts, and when you get them right, its such a treat

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2006 03:40:14 | More by AndoBrew

Doomcifer

Rhode Island

2.93/5  rDev -26.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Pours a dark amber color with a decent head with good retenton. Smells of light pumpkin pie, all spice, nutmeg, but not too overpowering at all. Some hop spice in the aroma as well. Tastes of maltiness, all spice, nutmeg, and once again not too overpowering on the spiciness and pumpkin flavors. It's all really kind of "meh" to me, to be honest. I don't get what the big deal is with this beer, and never have. Mouthfeel has lots of carbonation, medium bodied, and crisp finish. One is enough for me on this one.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2008 17:51:02 | More by Doomcifer