Review: Southern Tier Warlock

Southern Tier Warlock
8.6% ABV

Southern Tier Brewing Company, Lakewood, NY
22 oz btl

Served in Burley Oak tulip glass
Date on bottle: Bottled on 10/16/13

Reviewed on 11/16/13 

This pumpkin stout pours a dark brown color with a good beige head that has decent retention. Good lacing.

Smell consists of malt, pumpkin, nutmeg, cinnamon, sugar, mild hops, slight caramel, mild chocolate, some coffee.

Taste has malt, pumpkin, nutmeg, cinnamon, brown sugar, some caramel, hints of coffee and chocolate, some dark fruit.


Mouthfeel is somewhat bitter on the palate with a good coating sugariness.

Overall, this is a rich tasting pumpkin stout that combines the flavors of a pumpkin ale with an imperial stout. Pumpkin, nutmeg, cinnamon, and brown sugar are prevalent here, with good flavors of coffee, chocolate, caramel, and even a touch of dark fruit rounding things out.  The flavors mesh together quite well.  Pumpkin stouts are an underrepresented variation of beer--there be more if they taste as well as this one does.

My score: 92

Review: Dogfish Head Pumpkin Old Ale

Dogfish Head Pumpkin Old Ale
8.0% ABV
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, DE
On tap at the Dogfish Head Brewpub, Rehoboth Beach, DE
Served in a snifter glass (approx. 8 oz serving)
Reviewed on 12/27/12 at the brewpub 

This ale, exclusive to Dogfish Head's Rehoboth brewpub, pours a hazy brownish amber with a good thin bubbly head.  Mild carbonation.

Smell consists of pumpkin, vanilla, nutmeg.  I approached this one after two beers and food, so it was becoming difficult to discern smells.

Taste has rich pumpkin and vanilla with a good bourbon/whiskey flavored kick.  Nutmeg, some darker fruits like cherry and raisin coming through.  Mild hops.

Mouthfeel is smooth with a good bourbon bite.  Some earthiness, some syrupiness.

Overall, this was a good pumpkin ale that packs a nice bourbon punch to it.  Vanilla, dark fruitiness present.  In taste, this one is almost a fall/pumpkin cousin to 120 minute IPA though with the alcohol.  Where did this one come from? More info here. It's the product of a competition-winning Philadelphia area homebrewer who got to make his brew at Dogfish's Rehoboth brewpub.  Nice work--I think it's as good as Dogfish Head's seasonal Punkin Ale. 

My score: 92