Punkin Ale - Dogfish Head Brewery

doopydoogle

Tennessee

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

A- Dark amber with a decent head.

S - malty with a bit of spice. Some caramel, bread, and pumpkin preesent.

T - Rounded, malty, and spiced. Not very complex, but pleasant

M- Good carbonation and decent mouthfeel. Slight bitter.

O - Not bad, but not great. I'm beginning to feel like DFH is a little overpriced for what they're offering these days.

Serving type: growler

10-20-2011 02:33:34 | More by doopydoogle

mdcrouser

Missouri

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

As a preface - this growler has already had a rough life, so take this review for what it's worth. I purchased it from the Rehobeth Beach, Del. brewpub two full weeks ago while on business. It then rode around in my bag for the rest of the week, including a flight. It has since been in my fridge, sealed - while it never saw the light of day, it sat at room temperature for nearly a week.

A good pop of carbonation accompanied the twist of the cap, which is a good sign.

Brilliant pale orange, with a hint of head. Looks good for fall.

Spices, pumpkin and some alcohol on the nose.

Spices lead the tongue too, followed by sweet pumpkin, without being syrupy. Mildly toasted - lots of fall packed into this one. Robust maltiness too lends some sweetness as well.

A pretty good example of a well-rounded pumpkin ale - highly drinkable, yet nothing stands out as especially memorable.

Serving type: growler

10-20-2011 01:38:03 | More by mdcrouser

bminor7

New York

3.75/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Growler from Savemore, 9/14/11

Dark amber, some wispy head but not anything that sticks around.

Nose of phenol, pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg.

Taste is similar, malty, not hoppy, savory, yet sweet.

Mouthfeel is decidedly good for the style...

Overall a good enough version...there are others that are better, sure. But most are not very accessible - this is.

Serving type: growler

09-18-2011 20:01:54 | More by bminor7

One2Remeber

Florida

3.9/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Drinking two pints out of a growler filled just a couple hours ago.

A: Pours a weak bubbly white head that does not stay around for long. I heard a nice pop out of the growler so not sure where the carbonation went. Body looks almost transparent in the light but really is not. Cloudy, light brown sugar color.

S: Sugary sweet as far as the spices go, expecting the taste to be on the heavy side like a shipyard's smashed pumpkin (pugsley's series) compared to a lighter, warming sensation from the spices like Southern Tier's Pumking.

T: The smell did not lead me astray, extremely heavy pumpkin taste. The spices sit on your pallet and do not want to leave. I would say for a brown pumpkin ale the taste is spot on, just not for me. I could use some vanilla notes to balance out the harsh spice that is coming across as bitter. Not the biggest fan of pumpkin pie but if you but on some whip cream and I'll devour the whole thing, my favorite part being the crust.

M: Liquid form of pumpkin pie. Feels just like eating pie and there really isn't a lingering alcohol presence for a higher strength brew. Definitely a hefty bitterness from the spices stays around in the back on the mouth.

D: Not a beer I'm begging for seconds. I don't want to be too harsh, I love Dogfish Head, but I am picky when it comes to pumpkin beers and Southern Tier's Pumking is just out of this world and at the same time I don't think Pumking really resembles a true pumpkin beer like this brown ale does.

Serving type: growler

09-15-2011 06:36:12 | More by One2Remeber

Bouleboubier

Pennsylvania

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

I remember trying this years ago, perhaps as my initiation into pumpkin ales, and not liking it one bit. Gave it a second chance soon after, and still thought it was without any redeeming qualities. Then about 4 weeks ago, I found myself at a growler station sampling it and thinking that it was much improved, or at least better way than I remember (my palette likely primed by now).

Last night, I finally had a chance to sit down and crack open the growler and was quite satisfied by this ale. It, of course, poured with abundant head - cottony, fluffy. leaving strands of lacing. Yellowish amber hue and clean. Wonderful balance in aroma and flavor. Spices are present, thankfully not in a pumpkin pie bouquet, but they merely lend touches to what is actually a lovely pumpkin/malt blend. The pumpkin (and some faint nuttiness) steps forward in the taste, while the malt and spices seem to lead the scent. What I really appreciate and enjoy here is that the pumpkin is featured quite well, not pushed down or muted by a loud lousy concoction of pie flavorings, as many of these ales are. The pumpkin comes across a little roasty as well. The beer drinks medium-bodied, clean, and somewhat dry. An all-around well-constructed pumpkin ale experience.

Serving type: growler

11-05-2010 22:21:16 | More by Bouleboubier

BeerCon5

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured a nice amber/orangish color with a small amount of slightly off-white frothy head that remained throughout the beer.

The scent was dominant of pumpkin spice and cinnamon.

The taste was pumpkin immediately, not as sweet as the smell led to expect. Cinnamon was also present, and biscuity malts.

Light bodied, smooth and kind of creamy; also a bit oily. Perfect amount of carbonation.

This was a flavorful beer, I was especially impressed with the genuine pumpkin taste. It was very easy to drink a few of these.

Serving type: growler

09-20-2010 15:18:19 | More by BeerCon5

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

bonbright7

New York

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

Growler, from Bellport Beer. The aroma of this spicy ale alone was enough to make me think about buying a barrel and saving it for Thanksgiving. I think it would be a near perfect ale to serve with such a hearty dinner with family and friends in attendance.

The deep amber ale tasted like a malty version of local apple cider until a wash a alcohol made its way into the moment and then it turned into something resembling barleywine. The taste was the reward of the aroma as it lingered on well after it was gone. It had me dreaming of scenes in the Fall...great ale.

Serving type: growler

11-11-2008 06:19:08 | More by bonbright7

czfreeman

Michigan

4.72/5  rDev +18.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours out a whisky-copper toned browned color, capped by a tan cream of whipped cream. This looks like an inviting glass of pumkin pie!
Smells of fresh pumpkins,cloves,fall mustiness, warm cinnamons, nutmeg, this smells like some good stuff.
WOW! just tasted it. You are greeted with a mouthfull of spicy pumpkin pie. Spicy nutmegs, cloves, and cinnamon spiciness add a great finishing balance. The 7% ABV is completly hidden, but adds an almost rum-like note.
The smell, flavor, mouthfeel is the epitamy of anything that is marketed as a "pumpkin ale". This is fantastically flavorfull, balanced and extremely drinkable. Another classic from my favorite American brewery.

Serving type: growler

08-31-2008 00:49:02 | More by czfreeman

Phatz

Pennsylvania

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

Thanks to froggyfrog for the opportunity to try this beer. He brought back a growler from the brewpub for me. Thanks a million bro!

Appearance: Pours a bronzed brown color with a small head.

Smell: The aroma is dominated by cinnamon and nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice and of course pumpkin. It is more rich than some pumpkin ales with dark malty/brown sugary aromas and a hint of alcohol.

Taste: Starts out easy and sweet with a growing in intensity as it moves across the palate. A few swirls across the tongue reveal; great depths of pumpkin pie flavors. Brown sugar, nutmeg, caramel, cloves, pumpkin a bit of drying alcohol and a little bit of herbs showcased in the finish. The aftertaste is a bit dry leaving the lips smacking and wanting the next sip.

Mouthfeel: Very smooth and creamy a bit juicy slick with little carbonation (maybe due to growler or could be built that way). Regardless the beer seems to slip easy down the throat.

Drinkability: This is ridiculously easy to drink. I think this may be the best pumpkin ale I have had yet. It is like holiday punch beer. Super tasty and in as much it may be a fantastic beer I think it was a good thing I didn’t have a full growler or it'd all be in my intoxicated belly.

Hope this is helpful.
Cheers!

Serving type: growler

09-11-2006 03:18:56 | More by Phatz

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

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

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

MNishCT77

District of Columbia

4.21/5  rDev +6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle purchased in the greater Washington D.C. last Fall, poured into a Weyerbacher tulip glass, drank 3/26/13 over ~one hour.

A: 3.75 - dark amber-brown coloration, mostly opaque (probably secondary to the extra additions into the mash like pumpkin and spices), tight small bubbles pouring off the bottom of the glass, light alcohol legs

S: 4.25 - lots of spice, nutmeg, cinammon, brown sugar; no hop aroma

T: 4.5 - brown sugar pops on first taste and lingers on the anterior tongue; lingering all-spice flavors on the back of the tongue, making me wish that I had a piece of pumpkin pie and whip cream to go along with this

M: 3.5 - pretty thin mouthfeel but adequate carbonation; slightly above average

O: 4 - I'm not really crazy about pumpkin beers but this is one of the best of the Fall crop as I prefer the spicy pumpkin beers to the more pumpkin sweet forward options on the market; a solid pumpkin that is generally above average for style; I'll continue to buy a four pack every Fall

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2013 01:22:04 | More by MNishCT77

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

Pencible

Virginia

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

A: This poured a clear gold with some white head.
S: It smelled like copper hops and roasted barley and pumpkin seed, with some coriander and clove and nutmeg.
T: It tasted like spicy clove and coriander and nutmeg and cinnamon, with some roasted pumpkin seed and copper hops and pie crust. It had a clean and sweet and spicy aftertaste.
M: It was somewhat thick with moderate carbonation. Nice full body.
D: This was a nice overall pumpkin beer. The scent and taste and body were all perfectly good, although nothing special. It had a smooth finish, so it was easy to drink. If you enjoy pumpkins ales, this is a solid and easy to find (east coast) example of the style.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 20:30:25 | More by Pencible

Jadjunk

Georgia

4.03/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

"A full-bodied brown ale brewed with real Pumpkin, brown sugar, allspice, cinnamon & nutmeg." Brewed in the style of a Pumpkin Ale. Bottled in 2012. Available in seasonal 4 packs as Dogfish Head's fall seasonal.

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle to a pint glass. Served north of 53º Fahrenheit.

(Appearance) Pours a creamy off-white head of a frothy cream consistency. Body color is a medium-hazy copper orange with medium sediment. Retention is well above average. Lacing is medium and patchy but doesn't stick. Overall it's a nice appearance, meeting my expectations for how the style should look but not spectacular by any means. 3.5

(Smell) I don't often get very pumpkin-forward pumpkin ales so when my first note was sweet roasted pumpkin I was pleasantly surprised. A nearly ripe pumpkin meat with a slight roasty tone and a touch of sticky, residual sweetness in the aroma. Malt profile is forward, some toasted caramel and biscuity malt presence doesn't muddle up the aroma much. The spice presence is very mild here, just enough to accent the pumpkin and malt character. Yeast notes are also a prevalent change to my expectations for pumpkin ales; there's a lot of clean, fruity character to be had here, reminiscent of some Belgian yeast qualities. A mild herbal and citrus hop bouquet balances out the aroma in lieu of a pumpkin spice assault. The yeast profile and roasted pumpkin presence is one of the most unique parts of the aroma. Potency is medium at best, doesn't improve much with warming. Nice, approachable aroma. 4

(Taste) Mild ripe pumpkin sweetness with a matching roasty breaded malt finish. Very faint spice profile, some nutmeg and allspice are the most potent spices here, and even those are in trace amounts. Some mild fruity esters, trace acidity and fruity hop notes define the mildly dry but clean finish. In terms of pumpkin flavor preservation, this beer has much more going for it than expected. I actually wouldn't mind a bit more spice diversity and strength as the rest of the flavors are right on par with this beer. The balance between the existing flavors is right on. 4

(Mouthfeel) Low carbonation, with a mild slickness and a semi-dry, mildly acidic roasted finish. Body is medium for the style, medium overall. Alcohol presence is low, pretty well hidden by the roasted pumpkin body as well as the hop flavor and bitterness. The carbonation is right on, nice and mild to better showcase the pumpkin flavors. 4.5

(Overall) This beer much better showcases in-season, full pumpkin flavor and sweet malt character than many other commonly available pumpkin beers. Spice character is very relaxed as well, but a nice yeast profile more than makes up for the difference with some fruity tartness and dryness of its own. The clean flavor profile makes the drinkability very high for this beer. This is one of the more enjoyable pumpkin ales out there, and I personally found it very much to my liking. Recommended as a fall seasonal go-to. 4

Dogfish Head Brewery's
Punkin Ale
4.03/5.00

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2013 04:03:03 | More by Jadjunk

neophilus

Massachusetts

4.35/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Brown colored pour with an off-white head, hazy. Aroma has a wonderful balance between spices and malt with Cinnamon the refreshingly dominant scent. There is a good dose of ginger in the malty sweet flavor with some brown sugar bringing up the rear. Great balance between a solid malty body and restrained spices. Nice to see some underdog spices like cinnamon spices get some love, although the ginger notes fall into line with most ordinary pumpkins.

Still the dark brown malty lager is the best vehicle to carry this pumpkin taxi all the way to flavorville.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 18:52:46 | More by neophilus

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

GossageBrewery

Missouri

4.44/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Poured this Pumpkin Ale from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass. This Ale poured a burnt orange color, produced a average off white head, and featured average retention and lacing. The aroma of this ale contains fresh pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg and sweet brown sugar. Full bodied, this ale has a foundation of malted grain, fresh roasted pumpkin, caramel, cinnamon, nutmeg and allpice. Well balanced, this pumpkin ale has a perfect amount of pumpkin pie spice, the mouthfeel is exceptional, smooth and creamy. One of the finest Pumpkin Ale's that I have sampled- Prost!

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2013 18:49:25 | More by GossageBrewery

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

3.91/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

12oz Bottle from Total Wine Tampa FL for 2$

Appearance - Clear copper colour with an average size fizzy beige coloured head. There is an average amount of carbonation showing and there is some faint acing. The head lasted for 3-4 minutes.

Smell - Caramel, pumpkin, all spice

Taste & Mouth - There is an average amount of carbonation and I can taste caramel mixed with pumpkin and all-spice. There is also some breads/grains/yeast. It ends with a spicy aftertaste.

Overall - One of the better pumpkin beers I've had. It has a lot of flavour but it isn't cloying in any way. I could actually drink a few of these. I'll but this again next fall.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2013 03:51:43 | More by spinrsx

KingSlayer

California

4.08/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 fl oz bottle
brown roasted color semitranslucent, 3 finger white persistent head, nice lacing
nose composed of brown sugar, pumpkin, spices, mild roasted malts,
palate same as nose, nice hop balance, cinammon spices afterfinish
medium full body nice carbonation
very pleasant, not too sweet just a touch, pumpkin blends well with spices and hops, alcohol well masked. nice seasonal beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2013 00:58:01 | More by KingSlayer

mjurney

Texas

4.16/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Appearance:
Burnt orange color, a little haze. Lots of bubbles rising up. Nice frothy head.

Aroma:
Bready, pumpkin, spices, brown sugar.

Taste:
Mostly bready, rich, toasted, nutty. Cooked pumpkin, almost like a pumpkin pie, spices, cinnamon, nutmeg. Faint crisp-bitter towards the finish. Body is medium, creamy, slight sharp carbonation, smooth.

Verdict:
This beer is exceptional. Tasty, very smooth, alcohol is well hidden.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2013 01:22:02 | More by mjurney

Amish_Ambush

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

Original Review: 09-21-2006

Notes:

Appearance: Light orange. Creamy head that turns into thick lacing.

The tasting profile included Pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg and brown sugar. All this was accompanied with a slight hop bitterness and a gentle smokiness after It warmed up a bit.

The ale itself was creamy and full-bodied. The complex aroma includes brown sugar, malts, squash, caramel and a slight butter/biscuit note.

Let it sit out for about 15 minutes after pulling it out of the fridge.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 01:46:38 | More by Amish_Ambush

yamar68

Minnesota

4.23/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Big thanks to blastbeats for this one!

Creamy honey gold body topped with a modest paper white head, laces moderately.

Pumpkin pie. Nutty, spicy and earthy, smells like Minnesota mud in mid October... cinnamon, gourd puree, everything autumnal.

Fresh squash, nutmeg, dry baking spices, pie crust, faint caramel and vanilla... nothing overpowering about this... smooth, well executed.

Nice.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 01:32:03 | More by yamar68

macrosmatic

Florida

3.25/5  rDev -18.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Reviewed from notes. Poured from 12 oz. bottle (into a pint glass? Didn't write it down).

A: Deep gold, nearly clear. Good amount of visible carbonation leads to a thin white head.

S: Pumpkin, nutmeg, cinnamon, spices, sweet malt. The spiciness on the nose is nice, but the pumpkin smell really doesn't seem right - it strikes me as artificial, although the bottle clearly says they use "real pumpkin".

T: Sweet chewy pumpkin, bitter spices, bready (or crusty?) malts. Not much else. Nothing off-putting, but nothing to draw me in here.

M: Body is on the thin side, decent carbonation sensation, low alcohol presence.

O: Pumpkin beers are generally not my favorite. But this one falls short of expectations still.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2012 02:56:24 | More by macrosmatic