Harpoon Winter Warmer - Harpoon Brewery

Boozefox

Connecticut

3.79/5  rDev +20.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.75

2012/2013 batch.

On tap at Ted's at UConn, Storrs, CT, alongside a basket of fried ravioli, fries, and mozzarella sticks. Pretty damn fair fluffy head, dissipates to barely any lacing. Medium copper color.

Lots of real nutmeg, cinnamon, and some Jamaican peppercorn on the nose, no hop, very little malt, some alcohol. Sip it: Somehow thin, fizzy, and viscous all at the same time. Not... bad, per se, but not good, either. It'll do in a pinch. Good "winter warmer"-style flavor, though; like the Southern Tier 2XMAS but a bit less. Malty, cinnamon, nutmeg, fusel alcohol; surprising for the ABV. Kind of sticky afterward, and leaves lingering spicy malt notes. The Harpoon description says there are hops involved. Okay, I don't ~disbelieve~ it, but they're pretty well hidden by the spices and the hint of citrus, though, depending on the hops, that may be their doing.

All in all, not bad, especially in the winter in CT (it's 15°F for a high today, before the 20 MPH wind chill).

Serving type: on-tap

01-23-2013 22:41:06 | More by Boozefox

KickbacksSteve

Florida

3.68/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Kickbacks in Jax. Poured into a snifter. Off-white head, moderate to low retention, on a deep copper body. Mainly clear lacing. Aroma includes cinnamon, caramel malts, nougat and nutmeg. Taste is pumkiny, caramel, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Actually pretty tasty combination of flavors and very easy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

12-23-2012 04:20:13 | More by KickbacksSteve

jlindros

Massachusetts

3.2/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Tap at jj sport bar.

Light but decent creamy head hits 1/2 finger and fades at med pace, clear darker tan almost copper color.

Nose has spices, allspice, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, etc, fairly strong but not overly, sweet molasses and caramel malts, definite holiday smelling.

Taste similar, stating with light spices again, alittle ginger in there, allspice, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, etc, followed by a light bitter herbal hop and earthy spice taste, which is a bit of a put off. Then malts, syrupy caramel malt, toasty copper malts, biscuit and little bready, and some nutty flavors like candied cashews and chestnuts. The holiday spice character really dominates but doesn't destroy the palate. Finish is sticky and syrupy, a long herbal earthy bitter spice flavor, icky bitterness, and syrupy malts.

Mouth is med to fuller bodied, little sticky and syrupy, decent carb, despite abv below 6% still feels syrupy and boozy, although it could be heat from the spices.

Overall meh, syrupy and sticky, icky bitterness, dominating spices, all wouldn't be great on their own but together even worse.

Serving type: on-tap

12-20-2012 04:13:33 | More by jlindros

Darkmagus82

Montana

3.7/5  rDev +17.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Served on tap in a 10 oz chalice glass

Appearance – The beer was served a a reddish-amber copper color with a one finger white head. The head fades relatively quickly to leave a light level of lacing.

Smell – The aroma is bready with some notes of caramel and Christmas spice. The spice aromas are on the lighter side and consist of a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove.

Taste – The taste starts out with a more bready and sweet flavor of a caramel nature. Quickly the spice comes to the tongue with cinnamon and cardamom being the strongest. Other spice flavors later enter the taste, with the tastes of nutmeg and allspice joining later on. Overall the brew is on the sweeter and decently spiced side leaving those tastes to linger on the tongue at the end of the taste.

Mouthfeel – The body of the beer was on the average side in terms of both creaminess as well as carbonation level. While quite easy to drink, with this considered to be a winter warmer (which I may contend) a little thicker of a body may have been better for the style..

Overall – It’s not a bad brew, but not really a “warmer”. It lacks the body and feel as well as abv to be considered a winter warmer in my book. I would consider it more a spiced ale. Not the best, but easy drinking and worth a try.

Serving type: on-tap

12-12-2012 01:51:03 | More by Darkmagus82

socon67

New York

3.43/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

A - Dark copper colored beer with no lacing of any kind. Thin white foam shrinks fast. Almost looked flat, but wasn't. Opaque.

S - Strong notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, corriander, and ginger. Smells alot like my Christmas tree.

T - Very spicy feel that takes over the beer. The subtle hop bitterness is nearly washed out, but over time is more noticeable. Has a fresh grain taste as well. But the cinnamon & nutmeg make this a near spice bomb. Acutally paried well with peppery Tex-Mex.

M - No way would I have more than one of these. Too spicy to make enjoyable. One is nice, a second would be a bit painful.

O - Interesting and fun, but this is over the top on the spices. For people that really love cinnamon flavors this is going to be a very good beer. I think they could have toned this down.

Serving type: on-tap

12-06-2012 16:55:10 | More by socon67

kylehay2004

Florida

4.22/5  rDev +34.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Half finger head with nice amount of lacing on a clear amber body.

S: peppery and cinnamon in the aroma.

T: tons of cinnamon flavor and gingerbread. Caramel malt background.

M: medium body and moderate carbonation.

Overall: this beer is appropriately flavored for the winter season. For what it is trying to be it is actually very good.

Serving type: on-tap

01-28-2012 03:08:05 | More by kylehay2004

wingman14

Ohio

3.48/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a dark brownish red with an off white head that fades fast. Smell is mostly nutmeg with the cinnamon and malt present as well. Taste follows with the nutmeg being the star. The flavor is not complex but is nice. The flavors are not too overpowering, this one won't get annoying after a few. Mouthfeel is medium, but could have had more depth. Overall a good winter warmer, decent flavors, a better mix a flavor could put this over the top.

Serving type: on-tap

01-20-2012 23:44:08 | More by wingman14

gfreed

Massachusetts

1.02/5  rDev -67.5%
look: 1.5 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1

In the derby for bad beer from the most over-hyped East-cast brewer, until now I held that any brew from Sam Adams would by default take the trophy. Now I stand corrected: Boston Brewing must now share said trophy with Harpoon. This winter warmer ranks among the flattest, flavorless, most aromaless beer on today's market, and it's a fine addition to all of the other flavorless, aromaless beer that Harpoon brews. The only thing separating this beer from a glass of water is the price.

Serving type: on-tap

01-08-2012 03:03:29 | More by gfreed

Jerermy

Massachusetts

3.65/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This beer pours a deep amber color. Mine had a lot of head but i chalked that up to a bad poor. The foam settled quickly to almost nothing.

The aroma is powerful, nutmeg and clove are easily identifiable.

Taste is not as impressive as the aroma but still enjoyable. Caramel sweetness sneaks in with some cinnamon and ginger.

Smooth medium body feel with enough carbonation to sting the back of your tongue.

Not the boldest of winter warmers but still satisfying. This beer is a staple in my fridge each winter.

Serving type: on-tap

12-28-2011 21:51:16 | More by Jerermy

mikeg67

New Jersey

3.68/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at The Office. Pours dark amber hue with a thick off-white head and some lacing. Aroma is of cinnamon, cloves, some caramel and peppery hops. Medium, smooth body. Taste is of cinnamon, cloves, some caramel, cherry fruit and peppery hops. Nice holyday brew.

Serving type: on-tap

12-20-2011 16:47:11 | More by mikeg67

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

3.05/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A-Pours quite red. Tiny head that dies off to nearly nothing. Only tiny dots of lacing are left on the glass.

S-Typical Holiday spice bouquet. A bit too reliant on the spices i think. Nutmeg and cinnamon are the two that stand out the most. Sweetness is there too.

T-Again, too heavy on the Holiday spices. Not much complexity or depth. Cloves are found along with the cinnamon and nutmeg. A bit sweet with a very light twinge of hop.

M-Light bodied with relatively minute carbonation. I would have enjoyed more burst on the tongue via the bubbles. A bit watered-down, but I think its okay because the spices are a bit too much already and a bigger body may have made it worse.

O/D-Not much of a fan. Didn't really enjoy downing this glass. Too much in some areas and too little in most others. One-and-done.

Serving type: on-tap

12-19-2011 20:13:21 | More by VelvetExtract

nukem5

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev +23.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a clear dark almost coke-like color with a slight head.

S: Aroma is full of spices ,cinnamon ,nutmeg , allspice. Good malty backbone.

T: The taste on this one is really balanced and full of flavor. Great balance of flavors loaded with cinnamon and above mentioned flavors.

M: Mouth feel is medium bodied with a nice carbonation level.

O: Overall a nice offering from Harpoon smooth and silky, great taste.

Serving type: on-tap

12-17-2011 03:49:07 | More by nukem5

scottbrew4u

Pennsylvania

2.95/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Served a clear copper color, very bright with a one finger frothy off-white head.

S: Coriander, cinnamon, nutmeg spices are too upfront and without a big malt underlying base it comes off as too strong. Some caramel and bready malt notes but on the weak side. No hops to detect.

T: Sweet and spicy at first and then even more cinnamon and nutmeg give the tastebuds a jolt. Barley malt is present but not loud or bold enough to come out from behind the spices. Hops are hard to detect in flavor too.

M: Crisp tiny bubbles in a light to medium body. A little thin.

D: This beer is not a standout for Harpoon and certainly one to avoid if you do not already like this style much. The spices should be tweaked and in my opinion, this beer tasted a bit better as it warmed.

Serving type: on-tap

12-03-2011 01:16:32 | More by scottbrew4u

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.35/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

First had: on tap at Johnny Brenda's, Philly, PA

Pours hazy amber with a nice off-white head that recedes quite a bit. Cinnamon and spice in the nose with undertones of malt. More cinnamon and spice in the taste, nutmeg and a little clove or pepper. Malty sweetness in the background for smoothness, and little to no hop quality noticeable.

I like a good spicy winter warmer, but this is just a little too thin compared to other beers of the style that are more pronounced. I like a winter warmer to be bursting with flavor, and while this does have alot of flavor, it's thinned out a bit in the body. But still drinkable overall.

Serving type: on-tap

05-09-2011 18:43:43 | More by Rifugium

dmbdusty41

North Carolina

4.53/5  rDev +44.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I'm a little surprised at the overall average of reviews. My wife and I had this for the first time on tap in NYC a few years back it we were blown away. It's litterally Christmas in a glass. We look forward to every Winter to get this. It's surprisingly dark, great spice, good mouth-feel. I have a sweet tooth and am partial to sweeter beers, so maybe that why I enjoy this more than some. I can usually handle up to 3 before needing something less sweet. Either way, a delicious beer I will enjoy each winter.

Serving type: on-tap

02-25-2011 21:51:45 | More by dmbdusty41

Gehrig

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev +30.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Enjoyed on tap at M.J. O'Connor's at Park Plaza.

A thick finger of off-white froth tops a clear, amber-ruby body; nice lacing and head duration. Good aromas, plenty of spice such as ginger, coriander, and a dash of cinnamon. Solid taste, very fruity, like Sam Adams Winter Lager but more fruity and a little less spicy in the taste. Plenty of banana emerges, as well as some berry, complementing the ample spicy flavor. Really good, not quite great, but well beyond adequate. Malty and smooth in the texture, this is a very accessible, tasty beer. I had several of these at M.J.'s, and this was a fresh, tasty, pleasant and accessible beer.

Not the most complex beer, but more than worth a try. Delicious.

Serving type: on-tap

01-08-2011 19:42:31 | More by Gehrig

rfgetz

New Jersey

3.4/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours the color of a new copper penny, almost no head. Scent is a big whiff of seasonal spices lead by cinamin then less amunts of nutmeg, ginger and clove, very lightly sweet carmely malt profile. Taste again is big on the seasonal spices, decently belnded all be it a tad strong compared to the very light background notes of carmel malts. The beer feels quite light on the tongue, some linger spice notes. The overall reviews of this beer shocked me as i've had a few of these lately and have enjoyed it... it is high on the spice and light on a lot of things beer, but i enjoyed it.

Serving type: on-tap

01-03-2011 15:56:58 | More by rfgetz

thagr81us

South Carolina

3.45/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Served from tap into a sampler shaker. Poured red-orange with a one and a half finger off-white head that subsided to a minimal amount slowly. Maintained excellent lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, clove, and cinnamon. The flavor was of sweet malt, clove, coriander, cinnamon, and a hint of candy cane. It had a light feel on the palate with medium carbonation. Overall this was a decent brew. It had a nice touch with the candy cane flavor and spices. Well balanced and nicely done on the flavor. Saw that a lot of people are completely bashing this one, but I didn't think it was THAT bad. Not great, but not bad...

Serving type: on-tap

01-03-2011 15:54:36 | More by thagr81us

Mora2000

Texas

3.2/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

On tap at the Libertine.

The beer pours a slightly hazy brown color with a white head. The aroma is a mix of caramel and toffee malt along with some assorted spices. I get some cinnamon and nutmeg. The flavor is spicy along with some toffee and caramel. The spices taste a bit muddled and are tough to pick out individual ones. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation. A decent winter warmer, but there are better spiced Christmas beers out there.

Serving type: on-tap

12-30-2010 23:27:47 | More by Mora2000

bundy462

Pennsylvania

3.15/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Amber with a frothy tan head.

S: Sweet spices, cinnamon, yeast.

T: Pretty clean throughout with an artificial spice in the finish. Very malty, not much in the hop aisle.

M: Thin for the style.

O: Average brew, nothing to write home about, but I wouldn't turn one down either.

Serving type: on-tap

11-08-2010 00:44:41 | More by bundy462

skiatd1

Connecticut

4.55/5  rDev +44.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I really enjoy this beer. There is nothing that reminds me of christmas like this brew.

It should be pointed out that this beer is mediocre in a bottle. The highlights are the seasonal spices of cinnamon and nutmeg. This is noted both in smell and taste. It is dark red in color, more carbonated than many other winter beers but that helps to pump out the aroma. It normally has very little head when poured.

If you want a beer to drink by a wood stove when you are wearing flannel and down this is the beer.

Serving type: on-tap

10-12-2010 15:10:14 | More by skiatd1

rdub

Pennsylvania

2.93/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from the tap into a tall glass during Valentine's dinner. Thin head once the glass got to my table. The reddish hue was nice and applicable to the moment. Smell was good with a hint of spice. The taste was kind of average. I didn't expect the spice which ended up being quite nice in some sips, weird in others. Mouthfeel was average/medium and drinkability was easy. I'm glad I tried it.

Serving type: on-tap

02-14-2010 21:09:05 | More by rdub

BeerMasterD

Connecticut

3.35/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from the tap into a Pint glass. Deep amber color with some solid lace that however doesnt stick around long. Smells strongly of Cinnamon, and Bubblegum? Taste is powerful and spicey but smooth, Cinnamon and nutmeg mainly. A good medium body and carbonation that felt right for the beer. This is definitely on the verge of being way to spiced, but i still found it smooth and drinkable compared to some others. I enjoyed having a glass but wouldnt have more than 1 maybe 2 in a night. I would really have liked to try the older recipe for comparison.

Serving type: on-tap

01-30-2010 00:37:27 | More by BeerMasterD

champ103

Texas

2.85/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

A: Pours a hazy copper/reddish color. A one finger white head forms, and recedes in a second. Very little lace is left behind.
S: At first, the only thing I get is a huge whiff of CINNAMON. Other than that, sickly sweet malt.
T: Again, tons of cinnamon and spices. Though it does not seem to overwhelm the senses as the nose did. Very sweet malt. Not much else.
M/D: A medium body and carbonation. Not something I am going to session. A one and done.

Not something I would recommend. Way to much cinnamon and spice. I usually like beers like this, though this is just to much.

Serving type: on-tap

01-25-2010 02:15:12 | More by champ103

jmerloni

Massachusetts

3.15/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

A - Medium, dull amber-orange with medium head and no lacing or retention.

S - Very slight cinnamon scent.

T - Good spiced aftertaste but little else. Not very hoppy.

M - Very light. Bland. Moderately carbonated with pretty dull hops.

D - Pretty strong drinkability and definitely a winter beer. It's light and has a moderate ABV and would make a decent session beer. But overall, not one of Harpoon's best work.

Serving type: on-tap

01-24-2010 03:17:05 | More by jmerloni