Coronado Punk’In Drublic

Coronado Brewing – Coronado Punk’In Drublic – 22 ozl bottle poured into a tulip – 8.0% abv.

Commercial description:Taste autumn in the land of eternal sunshine with our Imperial Pumpkin Ale. Brewed with brown sugar, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and plenty of would-be-jack-o-lanterns, this beer delivers autumn’s trademark flavors along with a hint of West Coast character, wether enjoyed in a pumpkin patch or on the beach. IBU: 35 | ABV: 8.0%

I reviewed this from a 22oz bottle (packaging date 7/27/16) into a tulip glass. This one is clear deep copper to red with billowing tan foam that quickly subsides to a thin layer. The aroma is sweeter right off the bat with red Twizzlers and other starchy kids’ candies. The initial flavor is similarly sweet revolving around red candies at first and then spiced cinnamon bread. The finish is fairly quick and thankfully neutral without any cloying sweetness lingering. However, “pumpkin” spices are dialed back here and lack any sort of meaningful presence.

Where this one does well is in mouthfeel. The body is rich and oily and never cloyingly sweet. Warming up, the beer focuses on dark bread crust, maple, and caramel. It almost reminds me of an old ale or barley wine more than a pumpkin beer given the hefty 8% ABV and the lack of a spice presence.

Overall, this would not be my first choice for a pumpkin spice beer as it is too muted in that regard, but the beer is drinkable, especially as a dessert beer, with enticing flavors of sweet maple and cinnamon bread. Even those turned off by most pumpkin beers might find this one appealing as it has just as much in common with an old ale or barley wine given its hefty alcohol content and flavor profile. This would do well as an all-purpose dessert beer.