Harpoon Leviathan - Baltic Porter - Harpoon Brewery

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Review from BeerAdvocate magazine Vol. III Issue I:

Pours opaque and nearly pitch black with dark ruby edges and a foamy, two-finger tan head that clings to the glass. Hint of metal in the nose with some major higher alcohols (think vodka or isopropyl), bicuity grains, dark breads, light hop spice and touches of caramel and molasses. Creamy and fluffy on the palate with a silky-smooth feel. Body is lighter than anticipated, yet a bit syrupy as things warm. Tons of complex and rich malt character up front, including: coffee, molasses, tobacco, toffee, caramelized sugars, and suggestions of marshmallow and malted milk balls. There's a center of dark ripe fruits, followed by some slight acidity that moves in to break up the sweetness with a hint of burnt raisin. Leafy hops. Mild wisp of smoke toward the finish, along with some grainy tannins. Dries and cleans up nicely, except for the fusel alcohol on the breath--hide your matches.

All the expected flavor profiles are present. In fact, they're nearly spot-on compared to all of the Baltic Porters we've had the pleasure of meeting. That said, our only gripe is that the alcohol is way too hot, too boozy and deters from the experience as a result.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2010 19:34:17 | More by BeerAdvocate

Kahlerbock

Kansas

4.25/5  rDev +6.3%

05-16-2013 03:45:02 | More by Kahlerbock

dheacck11

Connecticut

4.1/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Pour is a deep black with hints of ruby and purple. 1/2 finger of brown head fading quickly.

Nose is ripe with dried fruit, plum, raisin. Lots of gummy sweetness.

Taste starts with similar dark, dry fruit flavors, largely dried fig and raisin. Follows by a rich, roasty maltiness, with some hints of coffee and dark chocolate.

Feel is medium thick, perfect for the style.

Really good and robust flavors, they try to complement each other but end up clashing a bit. Still delightful to drink though.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 23:59:03 | More by dheacck11

cadaugherty

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -6.3%

05-08-2013 00:51:03 | More by cadaugherty

GoGata

Florida

4/5  rDev 0%

05-02-2013 00:10:28 | More by GoGata

Kelp

New Hampshire

3.75/5  rDev -6.3%

04-29-2013 06:24:35 | More by Kelp

Jason1337

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -6.3%

04-26-2013 15:04:01 | More by Jason1337

scmoore81

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev 0%

04-19-2013 02:19:12 | More by scmoore81

schwemjw

Ohio

4.04/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: dark, amber around the edges. A finger of soft white head.
S: funky. Almost like a Belgian with dark plum and raise. Big yeast and biscuit quality. Small amount of roast and a milk chocolate.
T: wonderful dark fruit, plum and fig. Some chocolate in the middle with a little coffee bitterness on the end. Brown sugar undertones with a little biscuit quality.
M:Smooth! Not much carbination but it definitely feels light on the palate.
O: a nice Baltic porter. Fruity, funky, yeasty and flavorful. Not quite as much coffee as I'd like but I will definitely pick this up again!

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 02:52:05 | More by schwemjw

linnymtu

Michigan

3.86/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- dark amber brown with a thin tan head. Much lighter than other porters.
S- nothing to report here. Couldn't really pick up anything destinct.
T- I've never had a Baltic porter before, and expected a "porter" and this was anything but. However, that is not a bad thing. Tastes like a strong ale and goes down smooth. Has a sweet touch to start and it lasts the whole way, also a good thing.
M- about an average carb level, the flavor definitely fills your mouth

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2013 00:53:55 | More by linnymtu

ejimhof

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -25%

04-13-2013 09:37:47 | More by ejimhof

yaksurf

North Carolina

4/5  rDev 0%

04-03-2013 20:03:58 | More by yaksurf

CaptDavyJones

New York

4.25/5  rDev +6.3%

03-28-2013 01:22:39 | More by CaptDavyJones

brheuer

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +12.5%

03-24-2013 21:22:18 | More by brheuer

jhb138

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -6.3%

03-21-2013 20:57:05 | More by jhb138

BGsWo22

New York

1.75/5  rDev -56.3%

03-20-2013 23:17:34 | More by BGsWo22

MAbeerNE1

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev 0%

03-14-2013 13:24:08 | More by MAbeerNE1

brandon911

Texas

4/5  rDev 0%

03-02-2013 03:26:17 | More by brandon911

abex44

Texas

4/5  rDev 0%

03-02-2013 03:25:50 | More by abex44

JStans12

New York

3.84/5  rDev -4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

A - Pours a deep dark brown/black with a small head that dissipates quickly.

S - The nose is full of dark plum fruit with some roasty malt notes in the background.

T - Rich chocolate and dark fruit are most prominent. Some boozy notes and a burnt and slightly hoppy bitterness in the finish.

M - Full bodied and very lightly carbonated. Plenty of alcohol warmth.

O - Very different than most porters I have experienced. Fruitier and richer. The richness of this beer can not be overstated. Overall enjoyable, but not mind blowing.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2013 02:16:09 | More by JStans12

rlee1390

Indiana

3.98/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-Clear amber when pouring , black in the glass, one finger off white head.

S-Roasted malt, slight coffee, burnt notes, leather, oak and smoke.

T-Very roasty, burnt, some with leathery notes. Like a smoked porter almost. Alcohol is not noticeable. Chocolate. As it warms alcohol heat becomes more present

M-Lighter than I was expecting, slight carbonation and creamy.

O-A vast improvement over other beers in the series. The high alcohol isn't entirely noticeable.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2013 01:34:11 | More by rlee1390

BugTownPub

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +12.5%

02-06-2013 04:03:02 | More by BugTownPub

NYSPHophead

New York

4/5  rDev 0%

01-29-2013 22:02:21 | More by NYSPHophead

andylipp

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev 0%

01-29-2013 20:10:49 | More by andylipp

bostonryan

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -12.5%

01-29-2013 04:32:27 | More by bostonryan