Written by Last year when I checked out Dogfish Head Punkin Ale, I liked it so much that I gave it a rare 4-star rating. Considering that I’m rehashing a few other Pumpkin and Oktoberfest beers that I’ve already tried, I knew I would have to give the DFH Punkin another go-round as well, although it might be off the shelves by the time you read this! 
Unlike most of the other Pumpkin beers I’ve tried, DFH Punkin comes through strong again and in my mind fully deserved the 4-star rating. This 7 % ABV brew is not overly pumpkiny, nor is it overly spicy, which seems to be many of the lesser Pumpkin Ales downfall.
This one is brewed with, and I quote from the label here, “…real pumpkin, brown sugar, allspice, cinnamon and nutmeg.” If you take enough time sipping this special beer (and I hope you do) you can really pick up on all of those flavors – yet they are so well blended, and so well balanced that nothing stands out as a dominant flavor. Very nice indeed.
I’ll end by saying that the alcohol, a robust 7%, is not that much of a factor in the flavor, and to me is well hidden. Still, you know it’s there because you get a very nice warming sensation in your mouth as you drink it, and you do pick up on it in the aroma. Still, I think it is superior to other Pumpkin Ales like the Southern Tier Pumking that seem to put a premium on the alcohol flavors. I know Pumking weighs in at 9% ABV, but I think it could have been a little more balanced than it was compared to the DFH Punkin.
There you have it! Two years running Dogfish Head Punkin is my favorite Pumkin Beer, although I did think the Sam Adams Pumpkin gave it a good run for its money! If you can find some, it might make a nice addition to the post-Thanksgiving dinner activities!
I was able to score a bottle of this beer this year – I’ll need to buy my own next year as its all gone from the stores now!