Harpoon Leviathan - Quad - Harpoon Brewery

superdoopersauce

Ohio

4.63/5  rDev +26.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

After reading some of the reviews of this brew, I adopted a slight caution when it came to evaluation... so at the get-go I had my concentration set on the rather high ABV. But really... I don't care, this beer as fantastic. I like in-your-face beers that remain drinkable and open to appreciation. This one delivers a strong hint of banana at first, and then (of course) the small alcohol burn. This really is a slow drinker... but the way they made the hops come out of the banana which then dissipates into a slow, easy alcohol burn... well that's something to appreciate. If you're looking for a "mean" beer that you can finish without too much hesitation, well, here it is. This is really something different, but something magnificent. This might be my new favorite beer... it's some high-powered stuff underneath with a smoothed, toned up front.

EDIT - I followed this with a Goose Island Honker's Ale (one of my favorite easy-drinkers)... and it made it taste like an iced tea. That should tell you enough!

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2009 04:52:37 | More by superdoopersauce

Mitchster

Michigan

4.6/5  rDev +25.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Brewed with "a mixture of two-row pale malts, caramel malts, and special aromatic malts" as well as Belgian Dark Candi syrup, hopped with Brewer’s Gold, and fermented with a trappist yeast strain (I'm guessing 3787, the Westmalle strain).
OG=26.2, 11.75% ABV, 44 IBU, 74 EBC per the website. I paid $12.99 for a 4-pack of 12oz bottles.

Pours out to a very clear dark mahogany, forming a small, but very creamy yellow head with excellent retention and nice lacing. Mild carbonation (not true to style, but I prefer my quads this way). The aroma is very nice...browning bananas and banana bread, suggestion of toasted pecans, carob and the complex aromatics of dark candi syrup. Mouthfeel is pillowy soft with a dense syrupy body. The taste is a recap of the aroma, as it should be...lovely browning bananas, carob, and candi syrup. No perceptible off-flavors or aromas. Sweet and syrupy, with a mild herbal bitterness. The bittering hops is a bit off style, taking on a decidely English character that is appreciable even had I not know they were using an English variety. Despite this, it's still a really tasty standout brew.

I haven't liked the other 3 or 4 harpoon beers I've tried because I think their house yeast strain is awful, so knowing that they brewed this with a trappist yeast strain is why I tried this one. This is a really good, if not great, American version of a Belgian quad, better than many other American brewed Belgian quads. Up there with Allagash and Avery. I would definitely buy it again and highly recommend you try it.

Serving type: bottle

02-29-2012 05:31:11 | More by Mitchster

jjayjaye

New York

4.5/5  rDev +22.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Wow I'm really enjoying this one! Pours a hazy mahogany tinted dark amber color with an absolutely huge stiff light tan head that decomposes slowly like an ice cream float. Sheets of lacing...wow, i'm really surprised. The smell is really good...classic earthy Belgian yeast, notes of figs over lighter harvest fruits. The mouth feel is tangy from the alcohol, lightly carbonated and full bodied. Full flavored, and complex...there is a strong earthy taste, pears and apples carried over nicely from the nose and a great spicy character over a caramel-like sweetness. It has a nice warming creamy smooth drinkability. This one is scoring BIG points for imagination and complexity. Highly recommended. Its interesting that previous reviews are using words of praise yet the scores aren't there...i don't understand. If it kicks your a$$ you must ACQUIT... : ) Peace...Go Team Harpoon!!

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2009 18:17:50 | More by jjayjaye

jjchristiano

New Jersey

4.47/5  rDev +21.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I have to say that I think I give this beer a very high rating because I had a great beer and food pairing experience with it. Took 2 bottles to our favorite Italian Restaurant. My wife drank red wine and I had these two bottles of Quad. Never tasted it before. Ordered rack of lamb crusted with parmesan cheese with a brown cognac gravy.
This beer matched with that entree was outstanding. The food and beer were perfectly complimentary and overall added to an excellent night. This is a quadrupel belgian style that for me is a 1 for 1 fine wine replacement. Being $10 for a 4-pack you can't drink it all the time but it is a nice treat for special occasions.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2011 01:04:53 | More by jjchristiano

paco1029384756

Illinois

4.38/5  rDev +19.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a dark ruby amber color with a foamy white head.

Scent of dark fruit, sugars, yeast, grain, and banana. A great scent, well balanced, strong and the alcohol is hidden very well. Doesn't have all the qualities a good Quad scent should, but it excellent nonetheless.

Taste of yeast, dark fruits, sugars, banana, and clove. Alcohol is hidden very well. Strong and balanced flavor, replicates one of my favorite styles very well, this has surpassed my expectations.

Mouthfeel medium heavy bodied with strong carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2009 03:10:50 | More by paco1029384756

BeerNinja007

New Hampshire

4.38/5  rDev +19.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Tan head builds slowly after a vigourous pour. Didn't think it was going to amount to much at first, then it kept growing and almost overtook the rim of the glass before starting to settle. Hazy red brew with a small amount of sediment falling to the bottom.

Scent is sweet and fruity, banana, candied cherry, raisin, vanilla and oak. Taste is much the same, well rounded and well balanced. Thick and sweet, but not overly so, which undoubtedly helps to mask the EtOH. Alcohol is warming to the face but undetectable on the palate, very well hidden.

Overall very enjoyable and well made. Will definitely seek it out again. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2009 23:23:03 | More by BeerNinja007

bsend

Massachusetts

4.35/5  rDev +18.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured this 12 oz. bottle into a wine glass.

Appearance: Beer pours a deep dark brown/amber color. Hazy complex appearance. A proper pour yields a 1 finger mahogany head.

Smell: Strong mix of spice, dried fruit (raisin, plum, pear), sugar, and alcohol.

Taste: I love this. Good sipping beer. Starts out sweet with the dried fruit, especially raisin. Definite sugar syrup, that leads into some wine like flavors before finishing with strong alcohol.

Mouthfeel: Dry, syrupy, and thick bodied.

Drinkability: I have no problem going through one or two of these slowly. Not something you would finish a 4 pack of, but I definitely could enjoy a sipping session with this.

Final Thoughts - I seem to be one of the few on this site, but I am really loving this beer. Great sipping beer that provides a largely complex blend of various flavors that are harmonious rather than clashing. Leviathan is a great addition to Harpoon and I really hope they expand and keep it going.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2009 15:37:26 | More by bsend

Jaguar

Massachusetts

4.35/5  rDev +18.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

At 11.75 abv, this is a knock you on your ass beer from the word go. heavy everything. Belgian candy, yeast, alcohol and sweet malt are all right in your face, but it all comes together and works well.I had my head up my ass and the first bottle I tried was right out of the refrigerator, and while it was good,it was too cold and dulled the flavors. I let the second sit @ room temperature for while, and had one of those 'WOW' experiences. If you like big Belgian Style Ales this is a must try.
I'm going to buy a four pack for the cellar and see how this is with a little age on it.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2009 00:08:20 | More by Jaguar

wofat

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +18%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 3.5

A: Somewhere between brown and garnet, with a beautiful tan, nearly everlasting head.

S: Heavy on the belgian. Raisins, caramel, with a tinge of tart fruit.

T: I really find this brew to be DENSE with flavor. Sweet caramel and dark fruit dominate. "Special B" is prodominate. Not overly complex, but simple and very flavorful. Slight bitterness in the finish. Not alcoholic as I'd expect... no burn.

M: Smoooth. Moderately thick and silky as a good quad should be.

D: Very drinkable, but certainly not a session beer. I like these 1 at a time, thank you.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2009 22:40:13 | More by wofat

tlazaroff

Virginia

4.33/5  rDev +18%
look: 3 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a very dark ruby color, almost looks brown until the light hits it. topped with a very nice frothy tan head.

S: Big BIG dark fruits here. Plum, cherry, fig, date, and raisin dominate all equally.

T: Big, delicious, malty beer. All the scents are present in the taste with the added sweetness of brown sugar and molasses.

M: Heavy-bodied with generous carbonation, maybe too much, defiantly a sipping beer.

D: Very low, its just too heavy and thick to have a lot.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2011 20:31:31 | More by tlazaroff

mixylplik3

Maine

4.28/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to Billy at Den Rock for this.

A: Pours a deep and dark reddish-brown with light clingy lace in my Westvleteren chalice.

S: Bite of alcohol with a mellow but prominent candi sweetness.

T: Dark fruits, hint of spice with obvious alcohol bite which doesn't linger too long.

M: Medium body with smooth effervescence, similar to what you find in any good Belgian. The alcohol overpowers what might otherwise be a heavier mouthfeel.

D: My beer preference is definitely on the heavier side, so this quad is right at home. It's boozy but smooth on the tongue. Will be nice to get some of this fresh but I think with some age it will take it to another level.

I have been a big fan of the Leviathan series. This is definitely another winner and I'm thoroughly enjoying the whole series so far.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2009 01:46:34 | More by mixylplik3

strengthdoc

Connecticut

4.28/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Purchased a single of this at Liquor Depot in Avon, CT. The color was a very deep amber. The aroma was very sweet and fruity. You smell the belgian yeast. The mouthfeel was very thick and there was a fruity plum taste from the first sip. There was a buttery feel of alcohol on the lips which provided a good amount of alcohol warmth in the finish. Even though Belgian is not one of my favorite styles, I really enjoyed this beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2009 02:20:30 | More by strengthdoc

thekevlarkid

Maryland

4.28/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Off the tap at the brewing co this beer was a copper/amber color. The khaki colored, two-finger head displayed excellent retention and lacing in semi-sticky bands. The aroma was of Belgian yeast, candy sugar, caramel and toffee, floral hops and a touch of alcohol heat. The flavors were spot-on for the style, but not as yeast dominated as a true Belgian. At first candy sugar and caramel came forward followed by alcohol heat in the middle, wood, Belgian yeast and an herbal, bitter finish. It had a nice flavor arc of malt to yeast to hops with all the elements well-defined. The mouthfeel was soft, the body medium and the carbonation perfect. Well worth tracking down and another success in this series.

Serving type: on-tap

07-07-2009 12:28:18 | More by thekevlarkid

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Reviewed from notes.

Served in a tulip glass. Pours a very dark brown color with a tiny bit of a purplish hue. Off white head with some nice lacing as it makes its way down. Really nice lacing. The nose is dark fruits with plum, fig, dates, and a tiny touch of light caramel. A nice yeasty character throughout. Taste isn't quite as complex and the tastes blend together for some moderate malt and a dark-fruit presence. Feel is really nice and creamy with a touch of booze. A really nice American take on this brew.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2010 23:11:32 | More by Thorpe429

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

4.22/5  rDev +15%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into goblet. Dark, brown/amber color...kind of looks like a cherry cola (with less carbonation). Nice release of carbonation with the pour though. Instant smell of cherry and fig, with hints of caramel. The high ABV isn't obvious in the smell at all.

Very nice smooth feeling. Great warming cherry notes; malty and toffee as well.
Again, the high ABV is not noticeable in the taste, which can be dangerous!

Overall, a great beer to have on a cold day; its warming and pleasant. I am very impressed and will buy again.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2011 22:27:26 | More by DrinkSlurm

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.18/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appears a BIG plum tinted amber brown, with a nice light tan head forming thick with fine Belgian style lacing speckled down my Piraat chalice.

Quite the malt monster like any great Quad, big alcohol fruit soaked plum brandy notes with Belgian yeast spiciness and sweet candi sugar additions. A sharp poignant tart fruit note blares through my nares with raisins and tart cherries.

Flavor is huge complex layers of dry spicy yeast and soothing alcohol with almost too much sweetness grabbing ahold of the palate. Cherry skin earthiness with tart alcohol soaked fruit layers, that 11.75% abv is kickin' and it may be tamed with some time. However, I love Harpoon's new edge taking on all of these big bold beers from the Baltic Porter to the Big Bohemian Pils they are just releasing.

Mouthfeel is big and chewy carbonation surpisingly carries it all well, a nice feel to it with some signs of effervescent Belgian like bottled conditioning. Of course the alcohol and sweet syrupy malt layers lay heavy and wouldn't allow or make you desire multiple bottles of this brew in one setting.

Drinkability overall is good for the style I've had much worse from American brewers and I must say this is one of the best on the market in some time. A beefy beer that will get you through many mid summer nights or hold to a couple until this coming winter rolls around and light a nice cigar and enjoy the combo.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2009 16:49:28 | More by WVbeergeek

JayNH

New Hampshire

4.15/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- Pours a clear deep burgundy color with a small foamy head.

S- Sweet and boozy, Fruity notes of figs, raisins, dates, and cherries. A bit of diacetly mixed in there too....

T- A dry sweetness fades to grassy hoppiness in the finish. Definitely boozy, some dry fruityness...

M- Very dry, moderately carbonated, boozy but not hot. Has that Belgian yeasty, musty, funkiness to it.

D- Very, very drinkable for this style. At 11.75% ABV the alcohol is very smooth on the palate. Also a nice dryness to the brew. Perhaps slightly overhopped.... Overall a fine brew from Harpoon!

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2009 00:53:51 | More by JayNH

reknirdsuomynona

Massachusetts

4.15/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Picked up the 4-pack. Poured into a pint glass from a 12oz bottle.

A - Beautiful deep red in color, closer to chestnut than an amber. No head to speak of due to the high alcohol content. A thin wisp remains around the edges of the glass.

S - Reminiscent of a Trappist style fruitcake. Candied raisins and spice. The alcohol slightly tingles the sinuses. Very nice aroma.

T - Spice and phenols. The high gravity is evident and it warms you nicely while traveling up to your nose. The aftertaste is a slight bitter ginger spice with a somewhat off-putting metallic quality.

M - Medium-heavy body. The oiliness helps it coat your mouth nicely. Carbonation is somewhat harsh at first but the alcohol content numbs you slightly and it eventually becomes a non-factor.

Overall, this is one of the better offerings in the Harpoon Leviathan line. A very solid American quadrupel.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2011 18:57:29 | More by reknirdsuomynona

SkipWeathers

Texas

4.15/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I'm BANANAS over this...that's the major flavor, banana, maybe just a bit too much. In this way it's one-dimensional. But I still like it.

A - claret in color, no head

S - like a bunch of over-ripened bananas soaked in alcohol, very robust

T - sweet and sour - tropical fruit-like, wheat, like a liquid bananas foster

M - oily and viscous; alcohol heavy

O - like I wrote, a little one-dimensional, hard to get past the primary flavor, but that 11.75% really does you nicely. Not subtle, more of an in your face quad.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2011 00:42:29 | More by SkipWeathers

SLeffler27

New York

4.13/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours slightly hazy ruby red, with small particles suspended, while a big almost creamy, off white head holds court. Dense foamy rings of lace are formed from layers of the head, which outlasts the beer itself.

While the yeast funk is ever present, there is little else to be found, some ripe pear, but far more simple than I expect for this style.

There are the figs, a bit hoppy, wow some cherries too. This is more sweet than bitter, and it does have hints of sour notes, the finish caries the most development as it warms. Beginning mild, the finish builds to a tart and bitter culmination, ending with raspberry. This is very interesting, and unique in my experience.

Harpoon's Quad is a dry, full bodied beer with light carbonation, with very pronounced, but not hot, alcohol.

Dangerously easy to drink, but the presence of alcohol in this Rodenbach Snifter, is plenty of warning. Paired with a cigar, strong flavored food, or hearty conversation, bring it all together, and enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2009 16:38:40 | More by SLeffler27

woosterbill

Connecticut

4.13/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Prime 16 into an Old Engine Oil tulip.

A: Clear, radiant magenta body with a finger of fine tan foam. Average retention and spotty lace. Gorgeous color and clarity.

S: Bold, intense mixture of molasses + toffee malts, as well as candied prunes and other dark fruits. Big, sweet, and only slightly boozy.

T: Follows the nose precisely: dark sugary and fruity malts leading to a fruity alcohol finish. Huge, yet balanced and complex Quite nice indeed.

M: Slick medium body that explodes with soft, fine effervescence. Fun.

D: It's a sipper for sure, but a very tasty one.

Notes: I've been a fan of this beer for a couple years now; for the price it's hard to beat such a gigantic beer that also delivers a well-balanced array of flavors. Definitely a malt-forward example of the style, it doesn't really have any yeast character to speak of, but that's not much of complaint. I'll drink this any time.

Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

02-21-2011 03:15:16 | More by woosterbill

ImHereForTheBeer

Vermont

4.1/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle pulled cold right off the line on bottling day :)

A - Dark caramel walnut color with a hint of red and a nice deep tan head and good lacing

S - Fruit, banana, clove, sweet. The 2 yeast strains seem to be battling it out for the nose.

T - Very subtle, sweet again, alcohol is obvious, but helps cut down on the "chewiness"

M - Definitely full bodied, coats the tongue but stops short of being syrupy, which the taste and smell would lead you to expect.

D - Good sipping beer on a snowy afternoon in Vermont.

Overall - another solid beer from the Leviathan series by Harpoon. I will say that the DIPA was probably our favorite so far, but this is worth picking up and giving a try.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2009 04:07:44 | More by ImHereForTheBeer

aerozeppl

New York

4.1/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Nice deep brown color with some slightly brown head. Very spotty lacing.

S: Nice nose. Big booze right up front. Then comes the dark fruit. Reminded me of a weizenbock almost in how the dark fruit presented itself. Figs, raisins, and just a touch of apple.

T: Boozy right up front. Nice sweetness right after that then it goes into the dark fruit. They said it is a blend of two different trappist yeast and you can pick up the complexity.

M: Full bodied with a syrupy mouthfeel.

D: I liked it. Yes it is boozy but it is a fresh Quad. The thing about American quads is they are almost all like this. It is part of the flavor. Saying a quad is boozy is like saying you don't like Chocolate and then reviewing Choklat. If you want a smooth quad go to Belgium. This is a good American quad.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2009 23:31:31 | More by aerozeppl

CHSLBrew

Minnesota

4.1/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle poured into a tulip.

A-Slightly hazy dark copper brew. Dark tan head, not too large of the pour, topped this beer and retained as a sparse, thin layer.

S-Malty sweetness is big and somewhat tweaked with a sweet-spicy aspect; fruity nuances alongside sweet yeasty bread.

T-As the aroma indicated, this beer is showcasing a big malty sweetness. This malt bomb, with whiffs of toffee and sweet bread, is complimented nicely by a thorough, deep fruitiness, with a hint of black pepper spice. Mild alcohol flavor, smooth despite the high ABV. Finishes sweet and fruity.

M-The first thing I noticed was the soft warmth that arose out of the first sip of beer. The full body of this beer is complemented by a creamy, fine carbonation. Overall appropriate feel.

D-Very tasty. Drinkability is perhaps reduced due to the extreme ABV, but this is countered, I think, by the delicousness of this brew.

Purchased at the Whole Foods on Houston in Manhattan on a visit to see my sister. Thanks to my girlfriend for stowing this bottle, along with a few others, in her luggage for the flight home.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2009 16:42:13 | More by CHSLBrew

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a deep amber to brown in color, with a small light tan head. In the aroma, fruity and a hint of licorice. In the taste. dark fruit, raisin, fig, plum and a alcohol note. A smooth and medium to big bodied mouthfeel, with a semi dry licorice like aftertaste. Not a boozy as expected, big and nice.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2011 16:43:12 | More by OWSLEY069