Punkin Ale - Dogfish Head Brewery

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

schoolboy

Ohio

4.33/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I know I have had this bottled before (I need to review that) but today I had a very nice glass on draft at the Winking Lizard on Coventry.

It has a very nice moderate aroma. The taste matches this closely but with a nice ale balance. Like the best of this style, I could have had another. The aftertaste is very nice as well.

As I remembered it, this is much better on tap than the bottle was.

Serving type: on-tap

11-12-2012 02:36:25 | More by schoolboy

GeckoPunk

Connecticut

4.1/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Although I'm not a big Pumpkin beer drinker, I've probably had about a dozen or so and can certainly tell by now the difference between a good pumpkin beer and one that isn't.

I will start by saying that when it comes to rating beer, the most important factor to me boils down to one question. "Would I buy this beer again?".

Hands-down, no doubt, I would certainly buy Dogfish Head's Punkin again.

This beer is not too watered down. It has a great malty backbone to it. It is not too spiced-up. There is a great foundation of pumpkin flavor without being obnoxious. I could drink more than one in a sitting.

I think it is one notch below Southern Tier's PumpKing, but it remains highly respected in my choice of pumpkin beers.

Second most important factor rating beer: I would certainly recommend this beer to others.

Serving type: on-tap

10-07-2012 03:36:59 | More by GeckoPunk

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

4.05/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from tap into pint at Gingerman SONO. Pours a healthy orangey color with a nice head. Very subtle pumpkin spice aromas, but you know you are drinking a pumpkin; nice sweet malt aromas as well. Taste is very subtle pumpkin spice, sweet malts, and some slight hop flavor. You know its a DFH for sure, and like usual, it doesnt disappoint. Its crisp and refreshing and not over bearing on the spice which is really nice - usually one pumpkin is all i can handle in one sitting, but i could drink lots of these.

Serving type: on-tap

10-01-2012 15:07:46 | More by DrinkSlurm

Jerzi20

4.73/5  rDev +19.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- The carmel color is exactly what I want to see in a pumpkin ale - not too dark, and not too light. It's the perfect medium.

S - Without taking a sip, in the proper glass you can simply inhale the taste of pumpkin pie. Slightly spicy, the crust hits your palate first but the combination of pumpkin, nutmeg and cinnamon remain. It's almost like inhaling desert without the calories.

T - For my taste buds, this is the ultimate pumpkin beer. Is not too sweet, and once you sit down to relax with one, it's hard to quit. Most pumpkin beers leave me too full or are too heavy to drink pint after pint. I just can't get tired of this one. With a small sip, the dry sweet taste hits your taste buds but disappears just as quickly. The sweetness is counter acted with the spices.

M - Smooth, Sweet, and spicy. It leaves your toungue quickly, leaving you wanting more!

O - I think it's pretty obvious, I ust can't get enough of this!

Serving type: on-tap

09-19-2012 02:41:57 | More by Jerzi20

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

09-17-2012 03:56:34 | More by Ford

MattyK

3.78/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- pours a nice lite copper. Off white head that fades quickly. Mild lacing, fades quick.

S- moderate brown sugar upfront followed by a lite cinnamon scent, finishing with a lingering Bready very mild pumpkint scent.

T- I get a lot of brown sugar/ cinnamon taste upfront with the nutmeg and mild pumking flavor towards the back end. Definitely the combination of slight breadiness and spices linger.

M- moderately carbonated, enhances the spice flavor. Leaves a somewhat dry sweet aftertaste.

O- overall i am a fan of this beer. Being in the industry I've tasted many horrible "pumking ales" just poorly pieced together. This one by dogfish has its qualities without a doubt. I even have it on tap in my living room! Although I did tap an imperial pumpking as well because I feel like I can only drink maybe three or four dogfish's punkin ale before I get sick of the spices used in this brew.

Serving type: on-tap

09-14-2012 07:34:46 | More by MattyK

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

dexterk1

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this beer as a special during craft beer week. Pours with a dark orange/brown color.
Odor is spices of pumpkin pie. Cinnamon and nutmeg and some pumpkin make for a pleasant overall aroma.
Taste is not too heavy on the pumpkin(which I like). Sweet caramel and spices are present. Ends with a sweet finish.
Mouth feel is smooth and consistent.

Serving type: on-tap

05-20-2012 14:27:01 | More by dexterk1

00trayn

Virginia

4.78/5  rDev +20.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had this on tap at the Dogfish Head Alehouse in Fairfax, VA (from notes).

A - A dark transparent amber color with a thick white head, slight lacing.

S - It smells like fall in a pint glass. A warm pumpkin scent is mixed with spices and a hint of sweet.

T - Spices definitely come forward in flavor, nutmeg and cinnamon are prominent. Nice malty taste as well with a spicy and sweet finish. The pumpkin is noticeable but not overpowering.

M - Medium body with a good level of carbonation. It has a smooth, creamy texture.

O - Hands down my favorite pumpkin (or should I say punkin') ale. I look forward to this release every year at the Alehouse (and the free pint glass that they give away with it). I made sure to buy two 4-pack to keep in my fridge for when I couldn't get it on tap anymore.

Serving type: on-tap

01-17-2012 03:30:28 | More by 00trayn

challenja

Virginia

4.45/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a a Dogfish pint glass at Dogfish Head Alehouse in Arlington, VA.

A:Pours a hazy dark amber orange with a nice white lacy foam head that disappears completely 1 minute in.

S: Nice Yeasty Pumpkin, brown sugar, clove, and nutmeg.

T: A nice subtle Pumpkin Ghourd, heavy Pumpkin Spice, Clove and Nutmeg with a brown sugar malty backbone.

M: Now here's the best part, a nice full carbonation creamy pumpkin ghourd mouthfeel with a clove nutmeg bite that lingers for a nice long time.

O: This is my third and best go at this beer. I enjoyed it before but after a really heavy Pumpkin Beer Autumn I could really appreciate this beer more. This sucker is now my number 5 all time best Pumpkin beers. (1. S.T Pumking, 2. Schlafly Pumpkin ale,3. Wyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin, 4. Heavy Seas Imperial Pumpkin)

Happy Thanksgiving Ya'll.

Serving type: on-tap

11-24-2011 14:04:26 | More by challenja

y2jrock60

Pennsylvania

3.6/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- Almost pure orange with a bubbly head that fades quickly and barely laces.

S- A very mild spicy nutmeg aroma with hints of of sweet malt.

T- Mild sweetness followed by a light spiciness resembling pumpkin pie. I don't usually like spicy beers, but this one was balanced well. The spicy profile wasn't overpowering and complemented the sweetness.

M- Light-medium bodied. I was expecting a fuller body for being 7% abv.

D- I could drink around two of these before becoming tired. That's two more than I expected since I don't care for this type of brew.

I was impressed by this brew. It's balanced well and its flavor profile isn't offensive or overpowered. The beer was a little on the light side though.

Serving type: on-tap

11-16-2011 00:17:08 | More by y2jrock60

Duhast500

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from the tap into a pint glass

The color is a clear orange/amber with a finger of foamy white head and some nice lacing left on the glass.

The smell is big pumpkin with a touch of spicy aroma in the nose. There is nice malt sweetness there as well and is right behind with slight bitterness that is from the hops.

The taste is again pumpkin that is out front to meet you as that first sip goes down. Once the pumpkin is out of the way the spicy flavor is there all through the middle and makes this a bit of a spice bomb. Things mellow out a little at the end till there is a bit of bitterness this is the last things that comes out.

The feel of this beer is smooth and well balanced. There is a big pumpkin flavor but does not seem too big as it goes down and leaves a good spicy pumpkin aftertaste.

Serving type: on-tap

11-10-2011 23:23:34 | More by Duhast500

xnicknj

Pennsylvania

3.03/5  rDev -23.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

on tap at devils den in philly

Pours a clear auburn color with some lighter pumpkin colored hues. Light froth of off-white head rests on top, leaving a few spots of lacing on the glass.

A cornucopia of spice in the nose with cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin notes. Faint hops and bready notes, caramel sweetness, light warmth.

Spicy and sweet up front with nutmeg and cinnamon. Pumpkin flavor with leafy hops. Caramel and bready backbone. Kind of a mix between pumpkin pie and a spice bomb. Finishes a bit warm and sticky.

Medium body, high carbonation, sticky and lingering on the tongue. This wasn't bad, but not exactly something I'd want again.

Serving type: on-tap

11-04-2011 15:05:49 | More by xnicknj

ehammond1

California

4.05/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On Tap

Sublime Ale House
San Marcos, CA

Deep orange with amber hues and a thin off-white head. Spots of lace are left down the glass.

A very mild aroma--some simple bread, a bit of toffee-candy sweetness, and some Fall spices, but not at all overly aromatic in general.

Balanced flavors of freshly baked bread, earthy pumpkin, some bright spice, and a touch of caramel and toffee sweetness.

Medium bodied with ample carbonation. Incredibly easy to drink--finishes crisp and light. No hint of alcohol.

Though I've been fairly disapointed with many Dogfish Head's offerings lately, this is one I always enjoy and look forward to every Fall--certainly one of my favorite pumpkin ales.

Serving type: on-tap

10-30-2011 17:31:52 | More by ehammond1

marikoangel

California

4.13/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a Dogfish Head glass at Amsterdam

A: It pours a clear medium dark pumpkin orange and a fingers worth of white head. There is fine carbonation and fine spotty lacing running down the glass, that doesn't stick long. It's a great color!

S: The nose is spice and bread, and a little pumpkin. There is some pumpkin spice - cinnamon, allspice, but is nicely balanced by the bready/yeasty malts that prevents it from smelling completely like pumpkin pie, and making it smell more like a yummy pumpkin beer instead.

T: The flavors are similar to the nose; some spice and some bready notes. It's bready and yeasty but there is light hints of pumpkin and spice. It's a little more bready in the flavor than the nose. There is a small hint of hops in the middle, then finishes a little sweeter, but nicely mellow.

M: A medium mouthfeel. Low and small carbonation with a creamy finish.

O: Overall it's a great pumpkin beer; one of the best that I've had. I find it hard to find a good pumpkin beer, and this one hits the spot as being well done. It has that nice hint of pumpkin and spice without going overboard. It's easygoing, and a nice one to sip and enjoy. Delicious!

Serving type: on-tap

10-07-2011 22:21:37 | More by marikoangel

Phelps

Arizona

3.58/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Enjoyed in a Shaker Pint at Mellow Mushroom.

A gorgeous sunset-orange with shimmering notes of metallic copper and just a little haze. Half a finger of light tan foam leaves thin webs of lace.

In the nose: nutty roasted pumpkin and allspice first, with cinnamon, almond and nutmeg dancing in the background. Some odd tanginess lingers.

The pumpkin found in the flavor seems less ripe — sharper, almost. Some cider, cinnamon, allspice and brown sugar can be picked up. The tang is here too, gripping the back sides of the tongue. A bit light.

Smooth medium-light body with fairly high, near-painful carb. Soft warmth in the throat and a clean, quenching finish.

Punkin’s not too heavy on the pumpkin flavors, but it’s enjoyable and drinkable. In the end, that’s all I really expected from it.

Serving type: on-tap

10-05-2011 21:54:54 | More by Phelps

mattboyer182

Indiana

4.08/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - pour dense orange in color with a half finger of cream colored head.

S - the smell is like sweet delicious pumpkin pie. So many spices and sweet pumpkin.

T - tastes like perfect mix of pumpkin and beer. It's got good spice to out weigh the sweetness.

M - medium bodied with medium carbonation.

O - not amazing but so much better than most pumpkin ales. On tap is definitely the way to have it.

Serving type: on-tap

10-04-2011 02:39:55 | More by mattboyer182

akorsak

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Al's. Shared with ksak.

A: The pumpkin ale is a darker coppery color, a penny from the bottom of the change jar perhaps. Still transparent though, I can see through the glass. The white head is small, not worth dwelling on.

S: The nose is spicy. I mean really spicy. Nutmeg and cinnamon, nuts, brown sugar, and allspice. Packaged with all of that is a pulpy, starchy pumpkinness. Very busy but not over-spiced.

T: The taste brings the spice back with a vengeance. Cinnamon and nutmeg stand out, as do the other components of the nose. The ale feels thicker, perhaps the starches in the pumpkin are driving that. A lower carbonation level allows the spices to last just a little longer. A decent seasonal, albeit from my least favorite style.

M: A rich ale, the spices get a little heavy at times. That being said, I could see myself having another glass or two. Look at me, constantly evolving...

Serving type: on-tap

10-02-2011 19:24:58 | More by akorsak

Hoptometrist

Oregon

4.1/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served on tap into a nonic glass at the Winking Lizard

A- Pours a brownish orange color with a one finger fluffy head that left no lace

S- Citrus, ginger, cinnamon, and pumpkin in the aroma. Balances aroma, no scent was really overwhelming

T- Cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin, ginger, and ctirus flavors all blended very well together

M- Medium body with lots of carbonation on the finish

O- A very drinkable pumpkin ale that has a lot of balance.

Serving type: on-tap

10-01-2011 02:15:46 | More by Hoptometrist

julian89

Georgia

3.5/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance -pours a dark orange with a white head that leaves no trace.

Smell-pumpkin spice, clove, cinnamon, ginger, basically fall spice.

Taste -The spices are far more prominent than a pumpkin taste. Cinnamon and clove predominantly. Expected greater pumpkin taste. Bitter aftertaste, typical of a 60 minute though.

Mouthfeel -very full and thick mouthfeel.

Overall: Heavy, not as great as other pumpkin ales but still receives my approval.

Serving type: on-tap

09-30-2011 16:38:29 | More by julian89

thegodfather2701

North Carolina

3.98/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-pours a burnt orange with a white head that dissipates quickly and leaves no lacing.

S-pumpkin spice, clove, cinnamon, ginger bread.

T-very similar to the nose as pumpkin spice, cinnamon, and ginger bread stand out prominently.

M-very full and thick mouthfeel.

D-this beer was very heavy and full bodied for me and it took a while to get it down so the drinkability for me is not very good. I only drank one because it was just too heavy for me.

Overall, this is a good beer. It is complex and delicious, but it was just too heavy for me to really enjoy it. I would drink it again and would encourage others to try it as well.

Serving type: on-tap

09-30-2011 00:29:31 | More by thegodfather2701

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.48/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served in a shaker pint glass at Durty Nellie's.

Finally reviewing this stuff during, like, my twelfth tasting of it. Geez... It pours a clear tawny-amber topped by a half-finger of dirty cream-white foam. The nose comprises apple juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and caramel. Save the light spicing, there ain't too much pumpkin (pie or otherwise) character going on here so far. The taste holds notes of mandarin orange syrup, cinnamon, green apple skin, brown sugar, nutmeg, and a very light bit of toasted rye bread. The pumpkin character is still pretty nonexistent, but at least the combination tastes good. The body is a rather light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a slick feel. Overall, a more-than-decent brew, but not exactly the most pumpkin-y thing out there. Generally enjoyable, though...

Serving type: on-tap

09-27-2011 03:51:46 | More by TMoney2591

emmasdad

Colorado

3.4/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours a fairly dark amber color, with an off-white head which lingers along the surface and clings to the sides of the glass. Aromas of brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and roast. Fairly full bodied, with nuts, figs, brown sugar and baking spices. Would go nice with thanksgiving dinner. One of the better pumpkin ales I've had.

Serving type: on-tap

09-26-2011 01:50:33 | More by emmasdad

LeeryLeprechaun

Colorado

3.73/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I got to try this beer on tap which was quite nice. The beer was a wonderful deep orange color and came out of the tap with about two fingers of white head. The head did not stick around but was replaced by a nice sweet pumpkin aroma that really set up this whole beer. The beer tasted sweet and of pumpkin, not pumpkin pie or pumpkin spice, but pumpkin. The beer finished sweet and left you wanting another sip. Overall it was a very nice seasonal beer. I would not want to drink it year round but it is a nice holiday treat!

Serving type: on-tap

09-24-2011 22:05:48 | More by LeeryLeprechaun