446. Dogfish Head Punkin' Ale

446. Dogfish Head Punkin' Ale



The appearance of Pumpkin Ales and Oktoberfest beers signifies the begining of fall. I picked up a four-pack of Dogfish Head Punkin' Ale along with a bottle of Cantillon St. Lamvinus at Downtown Wine & Spirits tonight on my way home from lab. I served this chilled in my NERAX pint glass.

The bottle says:
A full-bodied brown ale brewed with real pumpkin, brown sugar, allspice, cinnamon & nutmeg.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Alcohol: 7.00 %
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: Pumpkin Ale, BJCP Style Guide

Appearance (4.0): Pours a clear, orange-copper color with a creamy, fluffy, white head that thins to a persistent film, leaving patchy lace on the glass.

Smell (3.5): The pumpkin pie aromas are definitely present, but not overpowering. There's a toasty whiff of malts and alcohol and notes of pumpkin pie that become stronger as the beer warms: pumpkin, cinnamon and sugar.

Taste (4.0): There's a little bit of malt bready sweetness upfront. Savory pumpkin appears in the center and is followed by the sweet and spicy flavors of pumpkin pie: cinnamon and brown sugar. The finish is sweet with some lingering spiciness as well as a light graininess. The pumpkin pie flavors come out much more as the beer warms.

Mouthfeel (4.0): Medium-bodied and creamy with moderate carbonation.

Drinkability (3.5): Nice, but I wouldn't want more than one in a sitting.

Overall (3.85): Flavorful and pumpkin pie-ish without being a spice overload. A nicely done Pumpkin Ale.

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