Beer Of The Month

Thursday, October 1st, 2009 | Beer Of The Month

Dogfish Head Punkin' Ale

October is here and that means Halloween is just days away. It’s hard to think of Halloween and not think of pumpkins. So for the October beer of the month, the Hop Cast is choosing an excellent Pumpkin Ale; Dogfish Head’s Punkin’ Ale. Brad and Ken previously reviewed this on episode 10 of the Hop Cast with Charlie Drews. The Hop Cast picked the Punkin’ Ale for this months beer for two reasons; one it rocks and two, it’s relatively easier to find then some of the other pumpkin beers. Now just to note this pumpkin ale is more beer then pumpkin, it isn’t overly spiced and not heavy on the sweetness. When it pours out it is a burnt light copper color with thin light white head. The smell of the spice drifts up to your nose from the glass. Those great aromas of allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon and caramel all come through and work wonderfully together. When you finally take a sip, the malty sweet caramel hits you but quickly disappears. There is some cinnamon and brown sugar in the finish and then you get this nice hop that kicks at the end and finishes it all off. The hops are a nice treat in the end, almost as a reminder of the summer that is now gone. All around, this beer is drinkable and smooth. With and ABV of 7.0% you can have a couple and not get knocked on your ass. While this beer is still around, head down to your beer store to pick up a few and say hello to Fall.

For even more Dogfish Head beer and info check out the mobile episode Brad and Ken did from the brew pub in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware and stay tuned for a home brewer profile with Joseph Lemnah who is one of the brewers over at Dogfish Head.