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Punkin Ale

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
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🌍 United States · Pumpkin Ale · One of 13 Pumpkin Ales in hopIQ

One of America's original and most beloved pumpkin ales, brewed every autumn since 1994 with real pumpkin, brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice — rich and warming with a bready malt base, holiday spice, and a smooth, clean finish. A seasonal tradition that predates the craze.

ABV
7%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
amber14
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Full body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Gently sweet notes.
drysweet
Bitterness
Moderate bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Somewhat creamy mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

The weight carries the beer on its own, leaving the aromatics free to lead.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Pumpkin Ale.
Malt character
bready
caramel
malty
nutty
honey
Fermentation & yeast
clean
clove
Distinctive notes
spicy

FEATURED IN

#4 of 50The Best American Strong Beers→

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Punkin Ale

◎ Appearance

Deep amber to copper-brown hue with good clarity and a dense, cream-colored head that adheres well to the glass wall. The beer presents a vibrant, full-bodied visual character typical of well-crafted autumn ales, with moderate carbonation evident in steady bubble streams.

deep amberdense headgood claritywell-retained lacing

◌ Aroma

Inviting nose of warm spice—prominent cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice—layered over a rich, slightly sweet malt foundation with hints of honey and caramel. The spicing is rounded and integrated rather than sharp, with subtle clove notes emerging beneath the primary aromatic profile.

warm spicecinnamon, nutmegsweet malt basehoney undertones

◐ Taste

Full-flavored entry with pronounced sweetness from both pumpkin and brown sugar, supported by a bready, deeply malty mid-palate that gives the beer its satisfying body. Spice notes follow naturally into the swallow, while the moderate 35 IBU provides structure without aggression, allowing the holiday spice character to remain in the foreground.

sweet, spicedrich malt bodybalanced bitternesswarming profile

◑ Finish

Smooth, clean conclusion with lingering warmth and a gentle fade of spice and caramel. The 7% ABV remains well-integrated, leaving a pleasant, slightly sweet aftertaste without harshness.

smooth, cleanwarming fade
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
83
Appearance
80
Finish
79
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Punkin Ale

Serve at 12–16°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

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

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

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

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Punkin Ale

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 sweet, spicy, rich character as Punkin Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Pumpkin Ales in hopIQ

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