Third Time's a Charm
Written: Nov 08 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: good, spicy example of a pumpkin ale
Cons: it's gone until next year.
The Bottom Line: Of the three varieties I had this year, Dogfish Head Punkin' Ale was by the far the best Pumpkin Ale.
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| martytdx's Full Review: Dogfish Head Punkin Ale |
I recently went out on a quest, a quest for a beer that only shows up in those fabled autumn months, and then disappears for another year. No, not Oktoberfest beers (although I got some of those as well). I was looking for Pumpkin beers to fit the Halloween season.
I got a late start this year, and it took me several stores before I found any. Alas, the brands I was able to find - Post Road Pumpkin Ale and Blue Moon Pumpkin Ale were less than spectacular examples of what I was looking for. Luckily, my last effort turned up the sought-after Dogfish Head Punkin' Ale, and finally I had a pumpkin beer that matched my expectations.
[• about DOGFISH HEAD •]
Dogfish Head Brewery is a craft micro located in southern Delaware, near Lewes Beach. Over the years, they have been gathering an increasing reputation for creating delicious beers of all varieties, and for expanding the styles that are out there (and recently, they also started a distillery to move into spirits such as rum and vodka, as well). I've had a number of Dogfish Head brews in the past, and I've almost always been happy with what they've produced.
Their Autumn offering, Punkin' Ale is an homage to a tradition in the lower end of the state called the "Punkin' Chunkin'", in which competitors create various man-powered and other-powered devices to see who can throw a pumpkin the farthest on the weekend after Halloween. Competitors come from all over for this festival, and Dogfish Head figured they would make a beer to commemorate it.
Punkin' Ale is a unique style pumpkin ale, based on a brown ale. They add real pumpkins and a host of spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar, among them) to create a pumpkin beer with a ton of flavor. Yum, I couldn't wait.
[• chuggin' this PUNKIN' •]
Well, not really. I grabbed a pint glass, figuring that it would be perfect for such a beer. I poured the bottle and was entranced by the deep orange color - just what I would have expected, although there was very little head to speak of. The first whiff of it was full of spices, hints of Thanksgiving, turkey sandwiches and pumpkin pie, all rolled into a beer. But the proof was in the taste.
Finally, I have found a pumpkin beer that excites my palette. The spices in the beer are palpable, giving it a strong nose even as you drink. A mild sweetness darts in and out of the beer as you drink, faint but enough that you know it's there. The alcohol - at 7% ABV - is there but not over-bearing, another hint like the spices themselves giving the beer a full flavor overall. As the beer warmed, it actually gained more flavor and the spices became more enhanced and fuller. Definitely worth letting sit out for a bit before drinking!
As good as it was, I think it would have been better served as a dessert beer rather than a dinner beer like I had it. Still, that was a user error, no fault of the brewers, so I figure I would pass that recommendation onto you.
[• the pumpkins ARE GONE •]
And so another seasonal style passes off of the shelves for another year. I tried late this year, and my choices were limited - I had almost given up hope when Dogfish Head Punkin' Ale made an appearance, saving the year for me. Although it isn't the best pumpkin ale I've ever had, it was a very good example - and one that I will search out again next year (earlier, though). If you are lucky enough to see one, hiding in the back of your local shops cooler, grab it - you won't be disappointed.
[• beer SPECIFICS •]
• Awards: None
• ABV: 7.0%
• IBU: 24
• Shelf-Life: n/a
• Serving Temperature: 55 degrees F (slightly chilled)
• Calories (per 12 oz.): unknown
• Carbs: unknown
[• more INFORMATION •]
http://www.dogfish.com/beer/seasonales.cfm
[• we three PUMPKIN BEERS •]
• Post Road Pumpkin Ale
• Blue Moon Pumpkin Ale
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
martytdx
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 - Top 100 |
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Member: Marty
Location: New Jersey
Reviews written: 478
Trusted by: 177 members
About Me:
Doing what I can to try new places, restaurants, books and beers.
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