Sea Dog Pumpkin Ale - Sea Dog Brewing Company

jhammerly

Nebraska

1.88/5  rDev -29.3%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Picked this up at Trader Joe's in Columbus, OH. Best enjoyed before June 07.

The body is a pale golden color with a white head that had no retention and shrunk to a thin ring atop the body. Smell was sweet with some hints of spice. Taste is semi-sweet, some pumpkin and spice, but it doesn't taste natural. Mouthfeel is very thin, almost flat and a bit watery. Not very drinkable. I'm not even sure that I can finish this one.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2006 22:30:06 | More by jhammerly

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

2.03/5  rDev -23.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Pours a clear copper, thin white head forms, goes fast, no lace. Smell is sweet, lagery, some spices, very bland and unappealing. Taste is worse, wheat, kind of lemony/citrus, little bit of spice, lager finish, very watery and near flavourless, unpleasant lingering flavour. Mouthfeel is light bodied, very thin, with high carbonation, very aggressive. Not so good.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2006 00:46:45 | More by Viggo

jmz62565

Connecticut

2.03/5  rDev -23.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

This beer pours a pale yellow gold with a small white head. Not an impressive looking beer. The smell is a weak sweet malt and veggie aroma thats not too pleasant. The taste is a thin sweet malt, cinnamon, and pumpkin flavor that's not too strong or good. A poor excuse of a pumpkin beer. The m/f is light ,thin, weak with the flavors mixing poorly. This is a beer that I would rather forget and so should you.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2006 06:30:06 | More by jmz62565

Ricochet

Ohio

2.13/5  rDev -19.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Looking for a pumpkin beer as good as the one I had at a defunct microbrew here in Cleveland. Everything in bottles so far has been marginal at best. This one was at least a pumpkiny tasting beverage, but there wasn't much else. The smell was bad, cheap ale with "pumpkin spice" and the appearence was a little better than average, with good foam, good head, a little darker that cheap ales. Mouth was below average with an odd sour twinge at the end and taste...

Beer or something with cinnamon in it Very unwelcome wash that was like a sour soda pop. There really isn't anything else.

So, no buy again. Still looking.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2006 00:52:34 | More by Ricochet

quasimoto

Ohio

2/5  rDev -24.8%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

A - Poured a dep gold/light amber color. Crystal clear and no carbonation bubbles. The off white head, or lack there of, quickly dissipated and left no lace.

S - Some aromas of pumpkin spices, cracker notes, vinous aromas, and some paper.

T - No pumkin flavor to be found. Spices are there and the paper comes across. Has a slight saltine cracker flavor to it.

M - Light, thin, and Highly carbonated. Very has on the palette.

D - I wont go looking for this again.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2006 13:43:33 | More by quasimoto

hungryghost

District of Columbia

2.58/5  rDev -3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Pours amber on the orange side with not much of a head.
Smell is a little odd, spicey, nutmeg, but not specifically pumpkin.
Taste has more spices, cinnamon and pumpkin. The pumpkin flavor is an artificial pumpkin. Like bad candy, plus sweetly, carbonated and metallic. This may not be a great description but it is by no means a great beer. I would not suggest it to others looking for a good seasonal. I wonder if I can give away the remaining four to trick or treaters...

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2006 21:21:09 | More by hungryghost

uberabr

California

3/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A: Poured from a 12oz into a pint glass. A surprisingly light, gold amber with little head.

S: Very spicey. Like pumkin pie with a slight cinnamon and orangy quality that complements the pie aroma.

T: Tastes as it smells, although not as spicey. I'm not sure if I'm tasting pumpkin or pumkin spice, but there's a subtle pie feel. Slightly bitter with a mild pumpkin and buttery, biscuit aftertase. A little watery. Also a slight citrus maltyness. It could be a litte sweeter.

M: Decent body and adequate carbonation.

D: This is a good beer but it lacks confidence. The pie taste is really quite understated. That'd be ok, but there aren't any other flavors to take center stage. It leaves a kind of bland macro-lager, watery quality. Definitely a drinkable beer, and the understated pumpkin quality is a creative start, but it leaves much to be desired.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2006 07:54:00 | More by uberabr

far333

Connecticut

2.83/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Faint apple juice color with a very thin and low beige head. Aroma mostly of cinnamon and nutmeg, maybe a wisp of pumpkin, but I could be imagining it. Flavor is initially cinnamon, followed by light pumpkin, followed by nutmeg. Sort of perfumey. There's too much spice and not enough pumpkin. There's barely any pumpkin. Mouthfeel is initially watery but quickly gets fizzy in the mouth. Crisp and bubbly on the tongue. Too much carbonation. Not a great pumpkin beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2006 15:13:25 | More by far333

Jason

Massachusetts

2.2/5  rDev -17.3%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

12 oz brown bottle with a freshness date on the label. "Ale with pumpkin flavor added" ... don't tell me they added some sort of pumpkin essence.

A- No head at all after a kick fizzy foam, clarity is fine with a dull golden color.

S- Smells like a cold cup of that cheap mulled cider powder.

T&M- Very crisp with a watery body. Soda-like carbonation. Thin malt character, minimal hops ... very hard to pick out. Are there any hops in this beer at all ... I wonder. Cheap mulling spices and a faint grain middle to end. Very dry finish.

D- I have tasted a few non-alcoholic beers that have more flavor and character than this. A sorry excuse for beer IMO and there are far better pumpkin beers out there.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2006 02:28:06 | More by Jason

beachbum1975

Ohio

2.45/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Scored a bottle of this from my friend Anatole - thanks, man!

Neat packaging, best if enjoyed before June 2007.

Color is crystal clear yellow-orange. Carbonation is light with no real retention.

Smells and tastes like "Red Hot" candy with a hint of pumpkin.

Too light and sweet for me, even as a session beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2006 19:26:26 | More by beachbum1975

Frozensoul327

Michigan

2.98/5  rDev +12%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Medium yellowish orange color. Short lived white foam head. Lower carbonation.

S: Pumpkin notes and malts. A touch of a sour odor as well.

T: Mildly pumkin-ish with an earthy wheat note. Some sweet malts. Lacks depth and substantial flavor.

M: Bubbly, light, decent. Nothing special.

D: A poor example of a pumpkin ale. Needs more flavor to really be enjoyable. Maybe a good brew for those who don't really like pumpkin.

Notes: I could take it or leave it.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2006 01:27:07 | More by Frozensoul327

scruffwhor

Illinois

2.3/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 1.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 1 | overall: 3

Hardly any foam after the pour and no retention after the first sip of course. A very light haze in the overall medium amber hue. A little soapy and buttery in the first few wiffs. Got a little spicier as the beer warmed. the flavor was also buutery for a pumpkin beer. Liek watered down, yet still a little buttery sweet pumpkin pie. The palate was like a macro lager. Adjuncty and fake pumpkin flavors. Left a funny aftertaste.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2006 02:32:59 | More by scruffwhor

dbalsock

Vermont

2.85/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2.5

Appearance: Pours orangish red with a fluffy white head. Blink for a second and what started as a nice foamy mountain dissapears.

Smell: Ginger, squash/pumpkin (I actually think it's more squash like), alochol and malts combine to make an alright aroma.

Taste: Diluted pumpkin pie comes to mind, with some extra cinnamon. Defenitly resembles flavored water.

Mouthfeel: ligh bodied, low carbonation... again water... disgusting.

Drinkability: This is so uninteresting and not worth bothering over.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2006 05:23:59 | More by dbalsock

medic25

Connecticut

2.75/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Clear-orange/brown color with almost no head. Aroma has a hint of the usual pumpkin pie spices. Taste is a little harsh; distant pumpkin taste, but mostly just a run of the mill macro-like flavor. Unpleasant aftertaste; some kind of chemical flavor. This beer is drinkable, but I've certainly had better examples of a seasonal I look forward to each fall.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2006 01:48:47 | More by medic25

MikeyHamilton

Indiana

3/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance - The ale has a refreshingly light amber color with a slight orange tint. The head isn't very thick and it dissipates quickly. Medium carbination.

Smell - Hints of pumpkin as well as spices such as cinnamon and possibly even nutmeg immediately jump out.

Taste - It's sort of like drinking pumpkin bread - sort of. While the flavors don't jump out immediately, let the beer settle a bit and one should be able to taste hints of pumpkin and cinnamon on the back of the toungue.

Mouthfeel - Light and crisp.

Drinkability - This ale is what it is. A light and refreshing drink that contains hints of pumpkin and seasonal spices - nothing more. It certainly didn't blow me away, but I wasn't dissapointed in it either. I'd certainly drink it again.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2006 02:47:32 | More by MikeyHamilton

mountdew1

New Hampshire

3.43/5  rDev +28.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Had it on tap at the tavern in Topsham. First pint from a new keg after the lines were cleared. Nice light brownish amber color with a small amount of head that didn't last long. Aroma was exactly what I would expect from a pumkin beer. Smelt like a slightly cooled freshly made pumpkin pie. Flavor didn't match the aroma. Slight flavors of spices and pumpkin, which was nice. Definately not overwhelming, but not too weak. Easy enough to finish. Glad I made the choice.

Serving type: on-tap

09-25-2006 23:56:36 | More by mountdew1

TheBungyo

Washington

4.2/5  rDev +57.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The pour was nothing special. Nice burnt orange body is topped with a mute thin head. Nose is grainy and slightly IPA like with hints of pumpkin and spice. Taste is pretty damn good. It's huge on the cinnamon ... which is mingled with apple, giving it an applesauce like taste that I'm really digging. There's still plenty of pumpkin and nutmeg too. Sadly there's a bit too much hops in this. It kind of detracts from the complete package. In spite of that I really like this. Rock on!

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2006 08:20:19 | More by TheBungyo

BlueHammer

Connecticut

4.43/5  rDev +66.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Another of the pumpkins I really like. Shipyard is one of my favorite pumkins and this one is very similar. It was poured from the bottle, a slightly translucent orangey color. A decent two-finger white head that disipated rather quickly after the first few sips. Smell is of strong but not "hit you in the face" pumpkin and spice. A distinctly fall/autumn smell.

The pumpkin taste is well balanced, with a bit of nutmeggy spice mixed in. It's a smooth beer, easy to drink - it goes down quickly and easily. Feels slightly carobonated in your moth. It's really quite a delicious beer if you're into the pumpkins and very drinkable if pumpkin isn't among your favorites but you just want to try.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2006 19:04:15 | More by BlueHammer

mcallister

Ohio

2.33/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1

Color is lacking. Pours like an American domestic that is slightly orange. A pure white head is whispy and thin and dosen't want to hang around.

Subtle pumpkin aromas with even subtler spices. I kind of like the balance of the aromas but everything is a tad too laid back.

Lots of honey with pumpkin and the slightest bit of nutmeg. A pretty lackluster attempt.

Dreadful mouthfeel. Thin and weak. Wouldn't recommend drinking more than 4 oz's

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2006 23:39:49 | More by mcallister

IntriqKen

California

3.23/5  rDev +21.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a crystal clear orange with a small, quickly disapating white head.
Aromas are faint but if you look you will find hints of cinamon, pumpkin pie spice, and unfortunately, soap.
Taste is also muted but after a light malt sweetness cinammon and nutmeg hit the tongue and then finish to a somewhat pleasant pumpkin flavor as you swallow.
Mouthfeel is typical of a light ale.
I've had few pumpkin ales....I love pumpkin and keep seeking out something good but have very few choices in Southern California apparently.
This was decent....but nothing to go nuts over.

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2006 21:58:39 | More by IntriqKen

goschool

California

2.25/5  rDev -15.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Hardly any pumpkin ales are available in Los Angeles. I love pumpkin pie and I've had a great pumpkin smoothie, so I have always wanted to try a good pumpkin ale. This is the only one I've seen other than Buffalo Bill's, which has a reputation for being below average. In conclusion, I really wanted to like this beer.

Long story short, I don't. The pour is a light orange with a decent sized, but disappearing white head. The nose has everything in pumpkin pie (cinnamon, nutmeg, etc.), but it's not particularly aromatic. The pumpkin in the taste is muted to point where it's nearing Crystal Light in seltzer. The finish has more pumpkin flavor (interestingly, the smoothie was the same way), but there's still not much. A little bit of malts and hops round out the taste. A thin, watery mouthfeel is consistent with the overall below averageness of this beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2006 06:09:40 | More by goschool

Hibernator

Massachusetts

2.33/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Sea Dog Pumpkin Ale
12 oz brown bottle
Best enjoyed before March 2007 clearly notched on the side label
Served in a 20 oz tulip pint glass

Pours a light golden yellow with an orange tint. There is a mini head at first, but it vanshes in a matter of seconds to a thin lace. No sticky lace patterns are evident. Mini carbonation bubbles race to the top of the glass.

The nose is weak. Some faint whiffs of plastic, dairy and cinnamon.

As I take my first sip it becomes clear how thin and watery this beer is. Hints of sweet malts with a buttery quality. The finish provides some spice flavors, but the major taste is the Big Red cinnamon gum blast that I can't shake. Again, the mouthfeel is so friggin' thin.

Overall, I'm not impressed. An undesirable offering from Sea Dog. Not recommended. Pass on this one.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2006 20:37:12 | More by Hibernator

MrHurmateeowish

New Hampshire

3.48/5  rDev +30.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

Golden yellow color with thin white head. Smells malty, with strong spice and hop notes. Strong allspice type flavor (I think someone already said that). Sweet, but hoppy enough to balance it out. Light-bodied. It’s okay, but a little light bodied and light tasting for a fall beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2006 16:29:47 | More by MrHurmateeowish

ViveLaChouffe

Georgia

1.9/5  rDev -28.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5

12 oz bottle, Best By May 2007.

Pours a crystal clear pale copper. Wispy thin khaki head. Smells of pumpkin pie spice. Clove, nutmeg and cinnamon.

Sweet light malt folowed by the medium level pumpkin spice. Finishes bitter with the faint aftertaste of hops. Very thin yet crisp.

Hey, wait a second. This is Sea Dog's mediocrity of a golden ale, Windjammer, with some pumpkin spice thrown in! This is no pumpkin ale! Boo!

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2006 01:46:01 | More by ViveLaChouffe

PuckLSHS

Iowa

2.17/5  rDev -18.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured a Sea Dog after Mother's Day dinner hoping to take a nod off the old pumpkin pie and enjoy the flavors a bit longer.

Sea Dog Pumpkin poured a darker yellow color (reminiscent of Miller) and had a very bubbly 1-inch head that dissipated at an alarmingly quick rate.

The smell is overpowering and full of nutmeg. It is rather ghastly as I am always hoping to enjoy the Pumpkin in the pumpkin ale.

The taste has little to no pumpkin, followed by nutmeg, ginger and cinammon. Not a really good flavor for an ale I usually enjoy.

Mouthfeel is the same as a large macro...very bubbly, devoid of smoothness.

For drinkability, I would put this one at the lowest mark as I did not even finish the bottle. No sense in ruining dinner completely.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2006 00:41:16 | More by PuckLSHS