I love fall. I love fall beers. When a brewery gets a pumpkin-flavored beer right, I love pumpkin beers. One brewery to 
get their pumpkin beer right is, of course (because they get everything right), the good folks at Dogfish Head. I picked up a couple of bottles of the Dogfish Head Punkin’ Ale at Treats in Wiscasset on my way back to Portland from our cottage in New Harbor and enjoyed them before dinner last evening.
Unlike the local favorite pumpkin-themed beer, the Dogfish example is subtle and well-balanced. The pumpkin flavor — which comes from the use of real pumpkin meat — and the spices used — brown sugar, cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg so says the label — balance perfectly with the malty, biscuity sweetness. I have to think that BeerAdvocate.com’s Todd Alstrom was referencing our local pumpkin beer directly when he said this of the Dogfish Head Punkin,
Hands down this is the best bottled pumpkin brew I have ever had, it is nice to see a brewery have enough courage and inspiration not to brew a pumpkin soda-beer.
This is truly a special autumn ale to take your time with, sip and enjoy. Both in the nose and the taste, the beer is tangy, sweet, and the perfect kind of spicy. It’s not going for an over-the-top, in-your-face pumpkin pie flavor, but more of a warm spiced pumpkin cake. It looks great, with a great burnt orange body and a nice thick head which left lacing on the sides of the glass as long as there was beer in the glass.
I have to say that this is one of my favorite and probably the most well-balanced seasonal specialty beers I’ve ever had the privilege of drinking (or at least right there near the top). The Dogfish Punkin comes in cute little four packs and weights in at a modest 7% ABV – just enough alcohol to warm you up on a cold fall evening, but not too much to really slow you down. I can’t think of a better evening than a 4-pack of this beer, some comfort food and some late-season baseball or a good game of college football! Here’s what Dogfish founder Sam Calagione has to say about his Punkin Ale:
Comments
I’d agree. The DFH Punkin has been the best of the Pumpkin Ales I’ve had so far this year. I thought it was nicely done. Some are way too spicy, but this had just the right balance. We just reviewed the DFH Punkin’ Ale today as well!
I just read Scott’s review over at the Brew Club and now this. This is where this year’s journey into pumpkin beers will begin. I’m usually hot and cold with pumpkins, but if I leave ’em in the fridge my wife will usually polish them off over time. Based on what I’ve read, it sounds like she’ll have to fight me for ’em!
Your post inspired me to swing by the beer store after getting my groceries. I love the balance and nose on this one. It’ll be even better when it’s not 85 degrees out. Ah around the campfire on a cool fall night, now that would be nice.
p.s. Your captcha is making me type in “overstroking jayson” lol. Tell Jayson he’s welcome.