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Punkin Ale

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Rich scents of cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg in the aroma; spicy notes of cinnamon, brown sugar and pumpkin in the flavor, full-bodied with lingering spices and a cinnamon tingle. Real pumpkin meat, brown sugar and spices go into this brown ale, first brewed in 1994 to win a baking contest and named after Punkin Chunkin, a southern Delaware extravaganza. 7.0 % ABV.

ABV
7.0%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
amber14
PaceSipper
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
MaltHop
spicynuttycaramel
spicy
nutty
caramel
malty
Aroma
The nose opens with pronounced spice—cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg dominate immediately, supported by subtle earthiness from the real pumpkin.
not found:hoppy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Punkin Ale

◎ Appearance

Deep amber to light brown in color, displaying the characteristic clarity of a well-crafted brown ale. A generous, tan head forms on the pour and persists throughout the glass with moderate lacing. Moderate carbonation animates the body without excessive fizz.

deep ambertan head with lacingmoderate carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with pronounced spice—cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg dominate immediately, supported by subtle earthiness from the real pumpkin. Underlying notes of brown sugar and toasted Malz emerge, creating a warm, rounded bouquet that suggests autumn baking spices layered over a malty base.

cinnamon, allspice, nutmegpumpkin and brown sugartoasted Malz

◐ Taste

The palate opens with balanced sweetness and spice in equal measure, with cinnamon and brown sugar leading the mid-palate. A full body carries notes of caramel Malz, subtle nuttiness, and a faint honey character, finishing with a warming spice tingle that lingers pleasantly without harsh alcohol heat. The 35 IBUs provide restraint, allowing the adjunct spices to shine without competition.

sweet and spicycaramel Malz, honeywarming spice tingle

◑ Finish

A medium-length finish marked by persistent cinnamon and allspice notes that gently fade rather than abruptly cut. The aftertaste remains clean and slightly dry, with a lingering warmth that invites another sip.

persistent spiceclean, warming aftertaste
80
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
82
Appearance
78
Finish
78
Serve at 12–16°C

Serve at 12–16°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Punkin Ale

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About Pumpkin Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Pumpkin Ale?

Pumpkin Ale is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Pumpkin Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same spicy, full-bodied, rich character as Punkin Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →