Punkin Ale - Dogfish Head Brewery

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.45/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

small lacey head, orangey. Spicey cinammon, spicey,allspice, nutmeg, some maltness spice chest, chia tea with some hop bitterness. Drying, very vegatable taste. No expiry date. Gourdy taste. This tastes like a beer rather a fruity sweety cooler.Medium to full mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2006 23:26:49 | More by northyorksammy

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

4/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Generously bubbled pumpkin orange capped by a pastel orange, whipped creamy head that is a perfect color match for the beer that created it. The three finger cap has a considerable amount of patience, but doesn't look sticky enough to grab and hold onto the glass. A lack of lace is a minor disappointment that doesn't spoil a very nice pumpkin beer look.

The nose is as expected: baked pumpkin flesh and pumpkin pie spices. Perhaps I should go along with Dogfish Head and start writing punkin'. I've smelled pumpkinier versions and I've smelled spicier versions, but this one can hold its own against all but the most aromatic. Amazingly enough, even at a relatively high pumpkin ale ABV of 7%, there's no alcohol evident in the nose.

This is lovely stuff, even if the alcohol is now easily appreciated. This is definitely a different sort of pumpkin ale, a stronger version of the usual gourd beer. It's sweet and malty with a generous amount of caramel flavor. The spices aren't as up-front on the palate. The label indicates that allspice, cinnamon and nutmeg were used. They're all identifiable, with none dominating the others.

If I was in charge at the brewery, I'd knock the ABV back a full 2% (or try harder to mask it) and would add more brown sugar and spice. It's their beer, though, so I guess I'll have to take it or leave it. Um... I'll take it. This really is a quality fall seasonal.

The decision to build a sturdier pumpkin ale pays dividends when it comes to the mouthfeel. It's a few notches more full than medium and is as smooth as heavy silk. Too many bubbles on the initial pour become just the right amount before very long at all.

Punkin' Ale is one of the better versions that I've run across. It doesn't seriously challenge my clear favorite (Smuttynose Pumpkin), but it's definitely worthwhile and is deliciously different. If you have any interest in the style whatsoever, I suggest you get Punk'd as soon as possible.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2005 16:12:11 | More by BuckeyeNation

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.03/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Another one I cannot believe that I have not tried before. This one was just right up my alley and exactly what I was looking for to start out my evening. Poured into a pint glass and served right out of the fridge, it was consumed on 10/08/2009.
 
The pour was about what I would have expected with a light brown color, hazy with an orange tint to it. Nice light head creeps up on the top an settled down nearly perfectly with nice lacing down the sides of the glass and a good bit of carbonation peaking up from the bottom. Aroma is spice, pumpkin and cinnamon, hints of brown sugar and a nice light touch of herbal hops that gave it just the right amount of balance. Smooth and very even flavor here. Rich cinnamon and all spice lead the way here, like a nice slice of pumpkin pie, but with a kick. Even carbonation is nicely placed and a well crafted seasonal is what we get. Lightly dry finish leaves you looking for a little more as the light brown sugar notes really start to show as it warms up.
 
Overall very solid. I am surprised I had not run into this earlier and while it was very good, I almost wish it was just a little bit more upfront. Very solid and super drinkable, just needs a little extra kick for me to put it in the awesome range.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2009 22:12:30 | More by mikesgroove

womencantsail

California

3.9/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: I poured the bottle picked up from Hi-Time into my Russian River pint glass. It poured a clear, light brown color with a two finger off-white foam.

S: Not that much going on in the nose. I primarily pick up a yeasty and doughy aroma with some notes of spice.

T: The taste is much better than the nose, and for this, I am grateful. Nice notes of cinnamon and all-spice, and a solid pumpkin flavor. Not as sweet as many other pumpkin beers (ie. Pumking).

M: Medium bodied and moderately carbonated. The carbonation helps to keep things a little bit lighter.

D: I've been wanting to try this one out as I figured if anyone could do a good pumpkin beer, it would be DFH. It's definitely a solid offering, and one of the better pumpkin beers I've had.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2009 22:12:56 | More by womencantsail

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.38/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Dark brown color with some lighter highlights. Good lacing.

S: Lots of pumpkin flavor along with all the accompanying spices. The brown sugar is a really nice tough.

T: Like the smell, this one is all pumpkin pie, and the sweetness added by the brown sugar is just incredible. The spicing is absolutely perfect. By far the best-tasting pumpkin beer I've ever had.

M: Nice and creamy. Medium body.

D: Everything gets to be a little much to have more than one, but this is a damn fine brew.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2009 23:05:48 | More by Thorpe429

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.23/5  rDev -18.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pours a clear copper body topped by a small off-white head with moderate lacing.

Smell: The aroma is plenty spicy, with gobs of nutmeg and allspice present. As for the pumpkin aromawise, it's a no-show.

Taste: Light toffee sweetness upfront with a fair amount of nutmeg and especially cinnamon, which provides a nice spicy bitterness. Where have all the pumpkins gone?

This is a pumpkin ale, if I remember correctly. Sadly, you hardly get a true sense of any pumpkin in this brew.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied, with an ample carbonation that comes across as fizzy. Too fizzy, really.

Drinkability: The pumpkin flavor was subtle to the point of being absent. Sure, there's plenty of spices, but the missing pumpkin flavor was a disappointment, and made for an uninteresting beer. I guess $8.99 doesn't get you much pumpkin these days.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2006 22:14:32 | More by ChainGangGuy

brentk56

North Carolina

4.22/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours a hazy Punkin color with a decent enough head that leaves some dots and strands of lacing on the glass

Smell: Pumpkin, brown sugar, allspice and cinnamon aroma

Taste: Pumpkin bread flavor up front that is quickly joined by the allspice peppery tones; mid-palate, the bitter hops kick in; after the swallow, the brown sugar becomes more apparent and provides a balanced finish

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with moderate, but prickly carbonation; smooth finish which hides the alcohol well

Drinkability: I have been critical of this beer in the past, and had an awful experience with it on draft earlier this year, but this year's bottled version has won me over; the fusel alcohol problem is gone and it has a nice flavor profile

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2006 22:46:12 | More by brentk56

UCLABrewN84

California

3.53/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours a hazy pale orange color with a 1 inch head that fades to a fizzy soda like cap. No lacing was present.

S - Smells of sweet bread dough, tangy fruits, and pumpkin pie spices.

T - Bitter/spice taste to start out with a malty aftertaste.

M - Decent carbonation gives a bubbly coating feeling in the mouth.

D - Solid niche beer. I am glad I tried this beer and I would probably get it again in the fall but it wasn't something I would drink a lot of. Definitely one of the best pumpkin ales though...

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2010 04:26:36 | More by UCLABrewN84

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.3/5  rDev -16.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Bottle: Poured a deep amber color ale with a medium head with below average retention. Aroma is quite spicy (probably some cinnamon and the pumpkin) with some malt also noticeable. Taste is also quite spicy with cinnamon being the most recognisable spices with some pumpkin on the side. Not bad but I wouldn’t drink a whole lot of this either.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2004 19:44:50 | More by Phyl21ca

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.63/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Wow. They put a lot of stuff in it to legitimize it per style. Looks creamy and carbonated coper to orange. Loosely knit carbonation that may fade, yet laces nicely. Smelly sweet fruity and malty albeit ordinary. Spiciness and sharpness give character. Tastes moderately sweet, yet gives extra complexity with allspice, cinnemon, ginger, pepper, nutmeg, and body building malts. Spices give a lot of complexity, yes still conveys hop balance and alcoholic warming through the body. Finishes a dry and harsh in the alcohol--fusal. Utimately a pumpkin flavored beer worth drinking. Dogfish Head is simply incapable of brewing a bad beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2005 06:41:47 | More by BEERchitect

oberon

North Carolina

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

I have to say this one is the best pumpkin ale I have had a real nice brew.Pours a burnt orange color with a real nice creamy 1/2 inch head that leaves some nice lacing,aroma is of some serious nutmeg and cardimum with light cinnamon notes.Taste hits with a real pumpkin flavor with the sices hitting after the initial pumpkin flavor so you get the whole spectrum of flavors.A great all around beer definently with the weather changing right now.Very nice,had at Tavern 616 in North Wales,PA.

Serving type: on-tap

10-02-2003 18:49:31 | More by oberon

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Deep copper in color with an off-white head that holds well and leaves some good lace. The aroma is quite bold with nutmeg and what I perceive to be All-spice. The body is light-medium with a standard carbonation and a lightly zesty mouthfeel. The flavor shows the unique Dogfish Head character and starts with a good blending of sweet malt & spice, reveals a myriad of spice flavor as it crosses the palate, and finishes with a dry and peppery spiciness that lingers briefly. Bitterness is present, but plays a supporting role to the spice which acts as the main balancing agent (and dominant flavor). The spices are fresh and flavorful - much more so than the generic spicing usually found in pumpkin beers - and the beer has a very distinct character of its own which usually cannot be said of spiced beers. Very nice, and well worth trying.

Serving type: on-tap

09-26-2002 18:25:41 | More by NeroFiddled

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

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

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

Appearance: solid, opaque rustic brown color, good and chunky 1/2" creamy head.
Aroma: divine! That's my immediate thought, for after just sampling other pumpkin-themed beers, this seems to be the one that's getting it right! The spices that are overflowing and dominant in others are clearly more interested in sharing the spotlight here, it's richer, fuller, creamy, yeasty, complex.
Taste: again, just right! They hit the nail on the head here, choosing a full-bodied brown ale as the base, so you get the cinnamon and allspice, the pumpkin, and in this case, the brown sugar, but there's still a significant beer underneath, and in this case, a much sturdier, tastier, creamier brown ale than most. A most welcome flood of flavors, smooth, but substantial, thoroughly filling the mouth and washing it with warm, sweet, pumpkinny goodness. Soft, tasty finish. I enjoyed every last drop! Leave it to DfH to craft the best pumpkin ale I've yet to taste!
And cheers to 36PoundLoveChild for providing!

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2003 03:36:35 | More by feloniousmonk

WesWes

New York

4/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer pours a nice amber color with a thick frothy offwhite head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is good. It has a slightly malty scent which is overpowered with pumpkin and nutmeg aroma. The taste is good as well. It has a very smooth pumpkin flavor that goes down easy and finishes a bit warm. It has a complex array of seasonings along with excellent balance. The mouthfeel is fine. It is a medium bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a damn good pumpkin ale. This and Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale are among the best.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2004 01:04:41 | More by WesWes

drabmuh

Maryland

3.53/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served on draft in a pint glass at the DFH pub in NOVA. Almost no carbonation. Beer is bright orange and has no head and therefore no lacing on the glass. Beer is completely clear, you could read through it. Smell is mild, almost not present, slight spice character, no hops, some subtle sweetness.

There is an odd bitterness to this beer, on the backend. Spice and maltiness up front. Thin, finishes completely. Not really feeling this beer. The bitterness builds, it is not hop bitterness. Not a repeat.

Serving type: on-tap

10-12-2009 18:35:15 | More by drabmuh

Mora2000

Texas

4/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours an orange-amber color with a white head. The aroma is pumpkin with quite a bit of allspice. The flavor is pumpkin, cinnamon, allspice, brown sugar and nutmeg. The beer tastes a lot like pumpkin pie. Medium, slightly creamy mouthfeel and medium carbonation. One of the better pumpkin ales I have tried.

Drinking the beer alongside a pumpkin spice cake is a great combination. The cake really brought out the brown sugar notes that are in the beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2010 03:27:59 | More by Mora2000

zeff80

Missouri

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

A - Poured out a clear, bubbly, orange color with a small, white, foamy head that left small traces of lace.

S - It smelled of pumpkin, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Really a lot of pumpkin aroma.

T - It tasted of pumpkin, lots of nutmeg and a subtle borwn sugar sweetness mixed with some caramel malt.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A medium-bodied beer with a dry finish.

D - This is one of the best pumpkin ales that I've had. Great flavors.

T -

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2009 04:37:50 | More by zeff80

metter98

New York

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

A: The beer poured amber in color with just a few bubbles floating on the surface and a light amount of carbonation.
S: There's a moderate aroma of pumpkin, spices and sweetness in the aroma that comes very close to resembling pumpkin pie.
T: The taste has a good balance between sweetness and spices; the flavors of pumpkin, brown sugar and the spices really stand out.
M: It feels medium-bodied on the palate and silky smooth.
D: The beer is very drinkable. I would definitely try this again because the taste is rather interesting and complex for the style.

Serving type: growler

05-29-2010 11:57:50 | More by metter98

Gueuzedude

Arizona

3.9/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a brilliantly clear, ruby-amber color and is topped by a frothy, large bubbled tan colored head. The aroma is lightly spiced with notes of nutmeg, sweet brown sugar and allspice. The beer has a certain satisfying fullness to the palate, a far cry from the thin wan limp body on the Buffalo Bill’s version, which lightly coats the mouth as the beer goes down. The beer is lightly sweet with a brown sugar like note and a bit of caramel. The spices are evident, yet at a bearable level, such that they don’t dominate this beer. I get notes of nutmeg, allspice, perhaps some soft cinnamon, caramel, molasses, slight ginger in the finish, and perhaps a hint of pumpkin-like vegetal flavor. Because of the spices, this beer finishes with a light astringency, and perhaps a bit of hotness.

The spicing level and the fullness of this beer designate this a bit more than a quaffing brew, slow sips seem mandatory, and I would be hard pressed to down a glass of this beer. This is all ok though, as I don’t mind savoring the interplay of spice and caramelized sugar notes. Where is the pumpkin? I am not too sure, as is typical in spiced versions the pumpkin is really not noticeable. This beer is quite enjoyable and is one of the better examples of the style that I have had.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2005 00:33:17 | More by Gueuzedude

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.85/5  rDev -3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

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

A: The beer is a light copper color with nearly no head and no lace.

S: The smell is a strong ginger, pumpkin & brown sugar aroma. You also get the impression from the smell that it’s a very bready beer, in addition to the heavy sweetness.

T: It doesn’t taste as sweet as it smells which I’m going to consider a good thing. There’s little bit more hops and alcohol bite in the taste than you get in the smell.

M: Smooth with a medium body and a bit higher carbonation than I would have expected from a beer in this style. It’s not as bready as the smell indicates and doesn’t leave the stickiness that you would expect from the style either.

D: It goes down easy and there’s almost no hint of the 7.00% ABV. If you don’t find it filling (and I don’t) you could drink a lot more than a 4-pack in one sitting. When I went into the liquor store, I didn’t expect to buy this beer, but it was on special and the price made it irresistible, given the rep of DFH. While I liked the beer and it was more than what I expected from a beer of this style, it’s not something I would want to drink very often. However, if I do decide to drink it, I’d make short work of the 4-pack.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2006 06:06:52 | More by TheManiacalOne

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is probably my second favorite Pumpkin Ale that I've had. It had been first until I tried the Southern Tier Pumking. However, this ale poured out as a nice looking copper color with a fizzy white head on top. The smell of the beer has a pretty good spicy aroma to it with some malt in there too. The taste of the beer is pretty impressive compared to a lot of other pumpkin ales out there. The taste of pumpkin and spice really blend nicely together. The mouthfeel has a good solid body to it with a good amount of carbonation in there. Overall it's one of my favorite seasonals for sure. I look forward to the release every year. I normally pick up a 4 pack when I see it.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2011 01:58:14 | More by Knapp85

russpowell

Oklahoma

3.83/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours an effervescent caramel/copper color & a 2 fingers+ dirty white head. Some lacing & a little head retention

S: Slight cinamon & nutmeg smell up front

T: Malty sweetness, then allspice & slight hop bitterness. Warming alcohol burn, almost brandy-like follows. A slight pumpkin taste, more implied than actual I guess... Finishes spicy & warming

MF: Medium bodied, good carbonation, but a slight pricklyness & pretty good balance

Drinks allright, I'd say this probably if not the best pumpkin ale I've tasted. I usually ain't too wild about them. Maybe because of the way DFH used a brown ale base, it works for me. I can see whipping a few of these out turkey or Christmas day!

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2006 03:31:29 | More by russpowell

emerge077

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev -1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a high clarity orangey caramel. Not much of a head, more like a bare skim of bubbles. Clear whiff of nutmeg and cinnamon in the nose.

Toasty amber malt, caramel, nutmeg and other spices. Mild level of acidity, but fairly average lager feel. Medium bodied with a good level of carbonation. Not overly sweet, one or two would be my limit due to the spice. One of the better pumpkin ales that's more widely available.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2007 01:14:42 | More by emerge077

Halcyondays

California

3.95/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz. bottle,

A: Pours a light burnt orange, ochre with a full white head, good retention and lacing into a snifter.

S: Lighter than expected, nice notes of pumpkin pie spice, and some brown sugar and molasses.

T: Starts of with full cinnamon spice, and light pumpkin flesh. The beer's overall profile changes mid-sip where the brown sugar comes out and ends on a really nice allspice note.

M: Medium-bodied, with a lot of residual spice, well done I though for a pumpkin beer in the 7% range.

D: This is a really good pumpkin beer from Dogfish Head. Very drinkable, I just wish it was easily available in SoCal like it is in NorCal.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2008 02:08:10 | More by Halcyondays