Harpoon IPA - Harpoon Brewery

NiceTaps

New Jersey

3.74/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

On tap in a pint glass.

A- It was a very bright and light, clean looking golden color, some orange hues. The pure white 1-plus finger head faded to athin film leaving fat rings of lacing.

S- Citrus hop aromas just slightly outpace the maltiness. Very laid-back.

T- Hoppy, but on the lighter side of the floral and citrus flavors. Some maltiness and caramel.

M- Quite some carbonation, but again, lighter than I would have expected. The hops have little zest and finish. A bit of alcohol.

O- Not great but enough flavor, tang, and drinkability to make me go back to it.

Serving type: on-tap

03-24-2013 21:24:38 | More by NiceTaps

FosterJM

California

3.68/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

1737th Review on BA
Draft to 22oz Mug

@Dallas Fort Worth Airport

App- A very dark orange with a bit of a golden hue and maybe a touch of browns. Only a small 1/4" of bubbles due to a fuller pour. The head was a bit of an off white that fell quickly. Nice falling cling lines.

Smell- The english hops and malt combo come full force on this one. The malts create the base and then the hops add a certain tinge of a malty, orange pulp, butterscotch aroma.

Taste- Well I had this on my wants and I think for a good reason. This is a good example of an english IPA. Having more than the simple American Hop bill, lent this to be a bit more malty with and a simple english bitter like flavor. The aroma also brought its characteristics to the taste with a small orange, butterscotch flavor. A bit of a earthy flavor blends it all together.

Mouth- A small medium body with a stronger medium carbonation. A strong malt flavor comes out on the residual flavors with that english malt bill and a small bitter. More of that butterscotch flavor comes out.

Drink- This was pretty good. It was new and an english IPA. Something different and flavorful to sip on at that airport. Glad I could check this off my wants.

Serving type: on-tap

02-18-2013 00:39:29 | More by FosterJM

MasterSki

Illinois

3.18/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

On-tap at the Abbey Pub; went with this when I heard that Daisy Cutter was out. Served in a pint glass.

A - White foam settles to partial cap, thick collar, and splotchy lace. Transparent dark golden body.

S - Even though Harpoon says this uses US-grown hops, I'm wondering if they're American variants of English strains like Willamette or Cluster. There's a very earthy, grassy, and tea-like vibe going on here, along with fruity ale yeast, and a touch of toffee malt. I get perhaps a touch of grapefruit or lemon in the periphery. (Upon consulting Harpoon's website, this is dry-hopped with Cascade, but there's no info about flavor hops).

T - The taste has a bit more citrus and lemon zest. There's a bready and lightly sweet toffee malt backbone, followed by moderate herbal bitterness and tea-like astringency; perhaps a bit of aspirin in there as well. More hoppy than I expected, but on the bittering side rather than the flavor side of things.

M - Fairly zesty carbonation, more grainy than your typical IPA, medium body, with a dry and slightly gritty finish. Some mild alcohol warmth comes as a surprise.

D - This was better than I was expecting, especially if you frame it as a transitional IPA between English and American traditions. Still, the bitterness and astringency gets a bit fatiguing and the flavor is a bit dull in general. I'd drink it again if I was really desperate (like I was last Wednesday) but there are much better options available virtually everywhere in Chicago.

Serving type: on-tap

12-04-2012 05:23:08 | More by MasterSki

barczar

Kentucky

3.58/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a brilliant deep golden color with copper hues and a solid one inch ivory head that is fluffy and dense. The head dissipates slowly, leaving sheets of lacing.

Aroma is grassy and slightly dank, with a bit of skunky hops and an underlying bready malt. There's a subtle citrus finish.

Flavor reveals more citrus underpinnings, heavily grapefruit, ending pithy and a touch bitter. Toasted breadcrust forms the backbone, and herbal and floral hops add hints of complexity. Notes if pine surface as it warms

Body is pretty moderate, with carbonation on the high side. There's a bit of an astringent bite at the finish, and a touch of alcohol warmth.

Fairly subtle for an ipa and lacking depth and hop complexity. Might be a good intro to ipas, but I would consider this to be closer to a pale ale.

Serving type: on-tap

11-12-2012 23:10:47 | More by barczar

Hopfenpeter

Maryland

3.73/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Got this one on draft at a festival. Poured a clear medium orange gold, with a white, one finger high bubbly head. Dissipates fast, medium lacing.
Smell is of flowery hops and some caramel.
The taste was very nice! Fruity hop flavors up front. Bread and malt flavors in the middle, with a nice balanced finish. Nothing special, but truly above average.
A nice drinkable, medium bodied IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

10-02-2012 03:24:13 | More by Hopfenpeter

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

3.6/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Dark gold in color with great clarity and a thick layer of white head. 3.5

Biscuity malts and orange blossom hops. Simple. Snap of pithy citrus in the mix. 3.5

More orange like the nose, but there's a floral bouquet also evident. Rich in bitterness with a healthy malt base. Biscuity with some sourdough flavors amidst. Husky finish with a dry bitter astringent nature. Not a bad IPA. 3.5

The carbonation is pretty rigorous. The body is below medium, but besides a whisper of alcohol, it's pretty damn drinkable. 3.5

The whole is better than the parts. Decent cheaper option. 4.0

Serving type: on-tap

07-26-2012 05:15:08 | More by thecheapies

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

3.08/5  rDev -15.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A - Medium orange/yellow colour with a ring of white head.

S - Slight bitterness present with a light citrus aroma. Not overly impressive aroma.

T - A decent bitterness up front with some floral and citrus flavours. A slight bready malt backbone is present.

M - Light body with some creaminess. Moderate carbonation.

Serving type: on-tap

07-24-2012 01:35:28 | More by TheSevenDuffs

dcrawlins

2.15/5  rDev -40.8%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Had a Harpoon IPA on draft at Red Robbin last night and I couldn't even tell it was an IPA or even a Pale Ale. There was no hop aroma and barely any taste. It was a bit cloudy also It reminded me of Bud American Ale which has no noticeable hop aroma either . I don't recommend it.

Serving type: on-tap

07-13-2012 20:38:48 | More by dcrawlins

irrgalaxy

Minnesota

3.28/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured from tap into Harpoon Brewery IPA glass, slightly broader at top.

A: Light brown color, very clear, little head.

S: Crisp, scents of citrus

T: Nice and hoppy, with most flavors coming on the backend.

M: Little obvious carbonation in the glass, although it does fizz in the mouth.

Nice and reliable IPA, although not distinctive in the flavor profile.

Serving type: on-tap

06-03-2012 21:49:59 | More by irrgalaxy

damndirtyape

Ohio

3.33/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

On tap at the Uno Chicago Grill, Orlando FL - International Drive. Served in a flared pilsner glass (looks like a Hefeweizen glass with thin bottom, large top).

Appearance: Clear gold to amber color. Off-white very thin skin of foam across the top. Persistent sheets and strands of lacing here and there.

Smell: Remarkably odorless. Barest hint of citrus hops when first brought to the table, but nothing after that.

Taste: Citrus, mild pine bitterness with a good malt backbone. Well balanced - a good, if not overly flavorful, simple AIPA. What I mean is that it's not a hop bomb, it's not an extreme AIPA - it's just a simple AIPA - classic AIPA bitter flavors, straight forward malt to balance it all out.

Mouthfeel: Good carbonation with a nice thickness. Sticks a little to the teeth.

Overall / Drinkability: Plenty drinkable, went well with the deep-dish pizza. In the end though, nothing special - perhaps an average example of an AIPA. Good simplicity in the flavor, but a letdown in aroma so not an outstanding AIPA overall.

Serving type: on-tap

04-03-2012 23:33:32 | More by damndirtyape

rarbring

Sweden

3.5/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A clear dep golden brew, an off-white head that leaves good lacing and some curtains.

Smells of oatmeal, lemon and grape-fruit.

Some brown bread, grape-fuit juice and peel.

Little carbonation, small bubbles, fresh and smooth, a dry finish.

A nice clean standard IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

03-31-2012 19:00:30 | More by rarbring

socon67

New York

3.6/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Orange\amber pour. Decent foam retention and lacing. Clarity is good.

S - Scents of hoppy spice, and a bit of fresh apples. But the smell was tame and didn't increase as it warmed a bit.

T - Good crisp flavor. Has a decent ratio of sweetness to bitteress. Overall it is mellow on both counts which makes it a solid IPA.

M - Very sessionable. Slight hop bite at the end. This is a great option to see on tap if you want a few cold drafts.

O - a solid IPA for any season. I didn't find it all that exciting, but I would easily go back to this.

Serving type: on-tap

03-16-2012 19:40:34 | More by socon67

Hopdaemon39

Massachusetts

3.35/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Had on draft at Ghazal in JP- poured a very clear yellow golden color with a half finger head. Very little retention and a little bit of lacing.

Generic smell- a little citrus hops a little pine. Ale yeast (it's something I recognize only from my own brews really).

Tastes pretty good- again nothing l exciting but nothing bad. Same citrus and pine hop tastes neither really dominate.

A light to medium bodied brew with medium carbonation. This a fine session ipa but not anything to ring home about. There are better ones.

Serving type: on-tap

02-17-2012 19:31:34 | More by Hopdaemon39

dtivp

West Virginia

3.4/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a hazy light copper gold with a a nice foamy white head that fades into a thin cap, little lacing.

Aroma of floral hops, citrus and light malt.

Taste of light floral hops, grain, grass and hints of citrus. Not over-ally bitter, a very nice balanced taste.

Mouth Feel was medium body, moderate carbonation, crisp with a slight bitter and dry ending.

Overall this a good well balanced IPA, very drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

02-11-2012 17:44:31 | More by dtivp

jb413

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Poured a bright, light golden-copper with some rising bubbles, finger and a half of white head with good retention, and some decent lacing.

S - Big floral hop presence in the nose dominates some less noticeable toasted malt and herbal notes.

T - Floral hops are moderate and tasty in the front. Transitions with mildly balancing underlying malt before moving into a pleasant and prolonged bitterness in the finish.

MF - smooth and crisp. Refreshing. Pretty drinkable. Body is medium. Carbonation matches well and finish is nice.

O - Still new to the IPA hoppy styles, and this has been a nice gateway. A good pick all around.

Serving type: on-tap

01-01-2012 17:16:10 | More by jb413

happy4hoppybeer

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -17.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Having had their rather excellent Leviathan Imperial IPA, I thought I'd try this when I saw it was available on-tap at my local bar.

From notes:

Light golden orange, with moderate fluffy white head. Average retention. Very little lacing.

Some sweet smells of fruits, some very sweet malt, and some citrus. Hops are present, but under-served.

Sweet fruits, and overly sweet malt, a little citrus here, and then some hops somewhere in between. Some grains, and breadiness is apparent. Medium body, maybe a little on the thin side, high carbonation.

Rather disappointing as an IPA. The hops are not very well-served, overemphasized sweetness and grains, thus not as hoppy as it should be. And at only 5.9% ABV, it's a rather weak one.

Serving type: on-tap

12-15-2011 17:20:08 | More by happy4hoppybeer

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

3.98/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap poured into pint glass. I have had this so many times...from a can, tap, bottle, and even at the brewery. This beer, for me anyway, is a solid IPA. Its always good and available at most restaurants and bars who at least try to expand beyond Macros...
Its hoppy, but not overdone. Light, refreshing, and easy drinking.
Its up there as one of my go to IPAs...especially cool that it comes in a can, for festivals and concerts...

Serving type: on-tap

12-13-2011 16:24:37 | More by DrinkSlurm

kangarooAdam59

Maine

3.98/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

At All Star Bar attached to Romeo's Pizza (Yarmouth, ME):

In a pint glass:

A: clear, bubbly, and light gold in color, white frothy head with good sticky lacing that doesn't last

S: floral, citrus, and some grassy pine, subdued malts come out as it warms

T: mild citrus hop flavor, malts come out as it warms

M: medium, somewhat sticky coating the mouth and tongue, sessionable, sticky finish, no aftertaste

O: pretty good American IPA, maltier than most AIPA's, but hey I'd come back to it

Serving type: on-tap

12-04-2011 01:00:24 | More by kangarooAdam59

darylvelez

Massachusetts

4.58/5  rDev +26.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is my favorite beer. I could drink it everyday, if it weren't for becoming an alcoholic. I love local beer, and this is the best in the Boston area. Deep malty color, medium body, great hoppy taste this is my IPA standard and furthermore standard beer. Long live Harpoon IPA!

Serving type: on-tap

12-04-2011 00:16:02 | More by darylvelez

rmalinowski4

Illinois

3.35/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served in a pint glass while dining at Red Robin in Rochester NY.

Appearance is a crystal clear bright yellow. There was minimal head with some lacing on the glass.

The smell was bready malt and some floral citrus smells in the background. The malt is the dominant smell.

The taste is clean and crisp malt followed by a lingering bitterness. There is no citrus to be had, just crisp malt and bitter hops.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied with very nice carbonation, I am mesmerized watching the bubbles rise up in the glass.

Overall, this is a decent IPA. Good malt backbone, very nice carbonation and mouthfeel. The only down side are the hops. Just too bitter and not enough citrus or aroma.

Serving type: on-tap

11-05-2011 16:04:47 | More by rmalinowski4

BigMike

Pennsylvania

2.8/5  rDev -22.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Light copper orange in color. A thin khaki colored head that goes away quickly. Slighty hazy.

S: Light floral and citrus on the nose. Nothing that really jumps out at you.

T: I got to the end of the glass and forgot i was even drinking a beer. This thing just kind of went by uneventfully. A slight bitterness on the finish is the only lingering flavor. The initial floral notes are gone before you know it.

M: Light bodied. Decent carbonation.

Overall: Nothing special going on here. A non offensive IPA thats pretty easy to drink and would be at home on a hot day.

Serving type: on-tap

11-02-2011 19:11:31 | More by BigMike

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

4.1/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured on-tap at a TGIFridays and served in a weisse-vase, the beer is a bright copper-gold coloring, with a chestnut color in the depths. Very thin film of white head atop the brew. Light and green nose, with spicy notes throughout, and an overall blend of grapefruit and oregano. The flavor is caramel malt forward, with a roasted character, followed by grapefruit sweet and tart, and then ending with a flush of fresh, green, wet hops at the end, and peppery/all-spice highlights throughout. Grapefruit sweet and tart aftertaste, with hops spice and bitters. The finish is quick, clean, and dry. Tasty!

Serving type: on-tap

09-29-2011 04:28:21 | More by GarthDanielson

tdm168

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a light copper with a thin lacing of head. The nose is citrusy, floral hops. The taste is light, pale malt with citrusy, floral hops that add a smooth grapefruit-like finish. Mouthfeel is light to medium bodied, smooth, and refreshing.

Overall a good beer though it's a little one dimensional. It's not the best IPA on the market, but it's one of my go-to's when I'm in a pinch.

Serving type: on-tap

09-25-2011 15:48:08 | More by tdm168

KDawg

Illinois

3.3/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

this was poured from draft. Poured a good light orange color with a nice foamy head

Good aromatics with expected tones of citrus, hops, some lemons and a slight bit of malt tones as well. While the aromas were fairly expected, they were very good as well

medium/full bodied but lacking a bit in the taste area. Good feel with it and mostly citrus and hops flavors

this was a pretty straightforward IPA, but it was done well. Good for when in the mood for an IPA, but it isn't a real blow away one

Serving type: on-tap

09-23-2011 04:49:01 | More by KDawg

bubseymour

Maryland

4/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this one on-tap served in a plastic cup at a festival in 90 degree heat.

Appearance - pretty good considering the conditions. Dark brown with nice head and retention

smell - nice hoppy scents

Taste - this was a nicely flavored IPA with piney hop presence and full body

Mouthfeel - full bodied

Overall - this was a good IPA and will be glad to have anotherone at a later date

Serving type: on-tap

09-05-2011 22:18:16 | More by bubseymour