Dogfish Head Punkin Ale

Brewed in: Milton, Delaware

Type of beer: Brown Ale

Available: Fall

Alcohol Content: 7%

It is October, the weather is getting colder and Pumpkin Ales are hitting the liquor stores.

Dogfish Head, however, is not your typical fall beer.  Brewed with pumpkin, nutmeg, brown sugar and spices, Punkin Ale focuses less on the pumpkin flavor traditionally associated with fall beers and more on an all-around full-bodied flavor.

The brown sugar adds just the right amount of sweetness to the beer, while the nutmeg and spices emerge as the more dominant flavor, and the pumpkin adds a subtle aftertaste.

That being said, Dogfish Head Punkin Ale is the perfect fall beer for those who want a fall beer, but aren't fans of pumpkin.  The beer can also be enjoyed either room temperature or ice cold.

When the beer is initially opened, the drinker can clearly smell the aroma of the spices and sugar.  The beer is brewed in an orange-brown color with a cream-colored head.

At $10.69 for a four-pack, Dogfish Head Punkin Ale is a little more expensive than the average fall beer, but it is definitely a worthwhile investment.

Taste: 4.0

Normally, I am not a big fan of pumpkin ales, but Dogfish Head really nails the fall selection here. - Justin

I also normally don't like anything that is pumpkin flavored, however, I think Dogfish Head really did it right. The Punkin Ale has just a hint of pumpkin flavor which compliments the warm fall flavors of the beer. - Brigitte

Color: 4.0 Just the right hue for the season.

Design: 3.0 Again, the bottle is nothing out of the ordinary, but a beautiful description of the beer is nice to see on the front of the bottle, instead of being buried somewhere else.

Overall Rating: 3.7/5

Leinenkugel Berry Weiss

Brewed in: Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin

Type of beer: Fruit Beer

Available: Year-round

With Berry Weiss, Leinenkugel takes a different approach to brewing.  Yes, Berry Weiss is a beer, but it really isn't.

With a pink head, a fruity aroma and an even fruitier taste, it is obvious that this is the kind of beer you won't see many men ordering, unless, of course, they want their Man Card revoked.

No, this beer was pretty much made specifically for women.  This beer is for those who have champagne taste but are on a beer budget, literally.  Berry Weiss is even more bubbly than the average beer.

At $9.49 for a six-pack, the beer is more than affordable and it a nice option for those who want the taste of wine without the headache of drinking too much wine.

The bottle comes in Leinenkugel's traditional packaging, with a purple trim.

With the unique color of the beer as well as a flavor that appeals to women, it is surprising that Leinenkugel does not attempt to try to market the beer to women, especially during October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Perhaps Leinenkugel and Susan B. Komen could develop a partnership in the future.

Taste: 3.5 (Men's rating, 3.0, Women's 4.0)

While the fruity beer is something different and surpsingly good, I don't see myself drinking this beer outside the judgement free zone of my girlfriend's apartment. - Justin

I enjoyed the beer as a good alternative to wine. Plus, I was able to drink it faster than my boyfriend, always important. -Brigitte

Color: 5, it's not very often you see a pink beer.

Design: 2, nothing special about the bottling, just a different color.

Overall Rating:  3.2/5