Dogfish Head Punkin Ale

Never the same beer twice. That can be good or bad, depending upon what you are looking for. I understand that the very nature of the brew lends it self to being variable. This year (2009) is much better than last year, but doesn’t manage top honors for pumpkin of the year. Nice redish brown pour that captures the magic glow of good whiskey, a moderate head that sustains reasonably well. Big pie spices on the nose along with tobacco, pulpy fruit(the gourd), and a slight burnt note. Quite nice. The spices do their thing with out being overpowering, and you can tell they are real, unlike SOME pumpkin ales on the market. The fruit isn’t the star here, but you can tell that it is really in there. A good solid fall pumpkin ale without any faults.

Clear orange in color, the aroma is of nutmeg, cinnamon, and some pumpkin. Flavor follows suit, along with a bit of alcohol aftertaste. Fairly standard, certainly not the top of the line when it comes to Pumpkin Beers.

12 oz bottle served in a dimpled mug. Clear, light brown-orange in color. Short head, little lacing. Aroma is full of various spices: nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger. The pumpkin isn’t overly evident, but what is there is nice. The flavor matches the nose and the pumpkin is finally showing on the finish. Medium body. This is a well-balanced and flavorful brown ale.

Pours orange with a nice bubbly white head. Good lacing. Aroma is quite evident. Nutmeg and allspice dominate with hints of coriander and cinnamon. Starts sweet with strong malty flavor. Finishes with nutmeg and allspice. Aftertaste lingers. More of a spice beer than a pumpkin ale as there may be a note of pumpkin, but perhaps I missed where it was in the mix. I could only drink one perhaps at the end of a cold evening.

Serving: 12 oz. bottle. Appearance: Clear amber color with a frothy, off-white head. Very good head retention. Aroma: Earthy pumpkin notes with cinnamon and nutmeg. Fairly straightforward, which is a little unusual for this brewery. Flavor: Sturdy pumpkin notes with spice and light brown sugar. I feel like the alcohol stands out a bit much in this one. Light in flavor, but heavy in body. Palate: Medium carbonation with a rich, chewy mouthfeel and a medium-short, spiced finish. Overall: Given the light flavors I would prefer a little less body. Still, it isn’t a bad pumpkin ale.

Pours clear, orange-y amber from the 12oz. bottle: I always have high expectations for DFH, so this one’s got me a bit disappointed. It misses that "punch" of generous flavors that I love about sugary, fall beers. Pumpkin (surprise!), cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and brown sugar swirl around a notable alcoholic feel. Drinkability: Sweet and good. A bit too mellow compared to it’s "pumpkin brew" counterparts. Rebuy: Sure. #161 on 25102009, DG.

(Draught) Poured amber and clear. Had small white head. Aroma was of spices and malts. Medium palate had medium carbonation. There was malts, spices and bitterness in taste. Spiceness and bitterness continued in aftertaste.