Harpoon Leviathan - Quad - Harpoon Brewery

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

2.95/5  rDev -19.6%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

11 ounce pour - $8.50 at Taco Mac in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Appearance: Surprisingly clear, golden-amber body with a slim head comprised of near-white foam.

Smell: A nose of pale malted barley grains, spirits, stone fruits, Oregon cherries, banana, and hints of sugar and spice, though nothing really standing out and all of it kind of mild.

Taste: Simple syrup washed barley grains with caramel in the flavor, but, yeah, mainly just the simple syrup. Fairly sweet throughout. Ripe cherries, tart-ish pears, and green bananas. As the graininess ramps up the alcohol drops in bringing about a noted hotness. Sweetish finish, quite warm, with some late-breaking spicy phenols.

Mouthfeel: Medium-plus body. Medium carbonation. It's almost sticky. Almost.

Overall: It's big, sweet, and Belgian-esque, but it doesn't hold a candle to the principal Belgian quads (or even many of the domestic American renditions).

Serving type: on-tap

03-07-2012 17:14:19 | More by ChainGangGuy

JohnnyMc

Ohio

3.98/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A very dark and strong beer. Despite this, there is the subtle flavor of citrus, hops and chocolate behind the big and bold taste of alcohol.

The aroma has notes of chocolate which mask the strong ABV. Very drinkable for this style of beer, which could be dangerous in the long run.

Serving type: on-tap

02-16-2012 00:11:15 | More by JohnnyMc

BeerForMuscle

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Super dark, ruby brown, barely any light getting through. No head ontop. Just a faint lacing from the pour.

S - Smells of sweet candy sugar and caramel. Some dark sugar and tangy yeast with a backdrop of alcohol mixed in.

T - Tastes sweet and tangy. Dark bitter fruit rind. Some tangy Belgian yeast present. Dark fruit sugars and tart-sweet alcohol. Malt sweetness and toffee notes too.

M - Pretty well balanced quad, the alcohol isnt too pungent even at almost 12%. Clean, semi dry finish.

O - Not bad but seems a bit young and not completely harmonious.

Serving type: on-tap

05-09-2011 22:43:02 | More by BeerForMuscle

Gambrinus1184

Connecticut

3.45/5  rDev -6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Served on-tap in a brandy snifter @ the Corner in Litchfield, Conn.

A: Deep, ruby, amber colored with a thin head of creamy, off-white foam which settles out quickly, leaving no lacing. Looks like a glass of port after a few minutes.

S: Rich, complex, fruity malt aroma with whiffs of alcohol and spicy hops. Phenol alcohol stings the nose as raspberries, plums and raisins dance in the nose. Spicy, alcoholic and vinous smelling.

T: Very sweet, robust, fruity malts throw flavors of candied berries, cherry, apple and raisin on top of a spicy, rich caramel roasted taste. The sweetness is cut slightly by a spicy, peppery hop bite before washing down sweet, a little sticky, and stinging with some alcoholic burn.

M: Full-bodied, rich, sticky-sweet and cloying in some parts while stinging and hot with alcohol and hops in others.

O: A pretty unbalanced and decidedly American take on a Belgian Quad, Harpoon's Leviathan is a rich, fruity malt bomb with uncontrolled alcohol and somewhat poorly integrated hops. The near 12% ABV is not well-masked, leaving the majority of your brew feeling like a glass of liquor rather than a beer.

Serving type: on-tap

04-23-2011 04:22:45 | More by Gambrinus1184

raszputini

North Carolina

3.33/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

from a belgian style glass. This is a decent version of a Quad. Nose is dominated by citrus fruitiness, phenols and alcohol. Coriander and belgian yeast and sugars round out the flavor. The mouthfeel is moderate, with substantial carbonation. i enjoyed this quite a bit and will look for it again

Serving type: on-tap

03-14-2011 02:58:56 | More by raszputini

Naugros

New Jersey

3.83/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Ruddy brown that you can see straight through topped with a thin ring of suds. Vaporous booze waft off the surface and delivers dark fruits, almost as if you're drinking hooch made from raisins.

The taste continues the dark fruits and alcohol medley, with the heat hitting both sides of the front palate. But despite all the booze in your mouth it still manages a light, smooth mouthfeel. This is a very approachable quad that wil sit you on your ass if you're not careful with it.

Serving type: on-tap

02-27-2011 18:59:25 | More by Naugros

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

david18

New York

4.08/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I had a twelve ounce draft of this at the Amsterdam ale house in manhattan. I think this is the last leviathan draft that I hadn't had. It was very good and a very god example of the style. The bartender wasn't sure if it was the imperial red or the quad a d there was no question after I one sniff and a sip. Dark brown color, great Belgian aroma and amazing sweetness combined with alcohol. Very good!

Serving type: on-tap

06-25-2010 21:08:54 | More by david18

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.63/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On-tap 10/31/09 at Doherty's East Ave Irish Pub, in Pawtucket, RI, served in a tulip glass.

A: The beer is a deep reddish brown color, with a short dense off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is of cherries, bubble-gum, caramel, Belgian yeast and a faint touch of hops, a little different for the style.

T: The taste is malty up front with sweet flavors of caramel and dark fruits. The flavor of Belgian yeast is there, but it's subdued and in the background faintly. There's a strong alcohol sting and a mild hops presence. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Crisp and smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

D: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, strong kick, decent representation of style, not the best Quad that I've had but it's a decent strong Belgian-style beer to drink for a while.

Serving type: on-tap

11-01-2009 22:14:55 | More by TheManiacalOne

Buebie

Minnesota

3.95/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Enjoyed this brew 9/28/09 ontap at The Gingerman. Review from notes.

Poured into a 4 ounce glass, the first beer consumed off a flight.
A smallish head very slow to recede. Color reminded me of a black and tan. The narrow part of the glass was a bit more light in color whereas the thicker part of the glass seemed darker.

Aroma was quite sweet with planty of grain kick and malt backing. A tas spicie with plenty of yeasty bread kick and brown sugar camel sweetness.

Taste is sweet upfront with candy sugar, raisins and then somthing coming around that I have never experienced before in beer flavor. I dont even know what it was, have never tasted it before and have no words in my vocabulary to describe this flavor. Remiscant of bandaids, toffee, malt bomb overload and cereal grain delight mixing with no name and some spice.
Alcahol presence in taste, it does not hide, but also does not overwhelm or annoy.

Mouthfeel is creamy, sticky and full bodied. Some slickness after the swallow.

Drinkability on this hurts a bit with some of the heavier flavors, but they are not off and the desert aspect of this as a sipper is appealing as well. Alcahol makes itslef known, but still this is a troumendous beer from the small amount of it I had.
Had I more time I would have just ordered a full pint and I really should have.

Serving type: on-tap

09-30-2009 02:28:31 | More by Buebie

capra12

New York

4/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reviewed solo at The Gingerman 9/12/09 special thanks to David and Dave.

Appearance: Brown and ruby red with little head.

Smell: Belgian Yeast

Taste: Opens yeasty. Green fruit and dark red fruit come in from the middle to the end leaving a yeast and fruity alcohol aftertaste.

Mouthfeel: Light to medium bodied with moderate carbonation and smooth.

Drinkability: I would definitely have this again but just another because of the high alcohol in this.

Serving type: on-tap

09-14-2009 05:23:44 | More by capra12

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

morebeergood

Massachusetts

3.28/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I was surprised to see this on tap last night at the Sports Depot (of all places) in Allston last night, so I ordered one. Was served in a Leviathan 10 oz glass. Dark ruby red color. Nice white head that lasted a while. Good amount of lacing. Smell was a bit on the strong side, very boozy. Very grape-like smell. Taste was fairly nice, but a bit overly sweet. Caramel and grape jelly flavors dominate. On the downside, the alcohol profile is very hot. Noticeable burning feeling on the palate. Sad to say, but this beer was a bit of a burden to drink. Way too much flavor and alcohol. Needs to be toned way down. In bottle form, some aging might do some good. I can see why it's only served in 10 oz pours. This is my first taste of the Leviathan series, and it certainly is an extreme beer. A little too extreme, in my opinion.

Serving type: on-tap

04-10-2009 20:37:26 | More by morebeergood

Treyliff

West Virginia

3.55/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.5

A- pours a murky dark brown color with a small foamy light tan head, short retention that fizzes out, leaving just a ring of lace

S-lots if dark fruit, dark licorice, some herbal-medicinal notes, sweet caramel malt and some alcohol burn in the aroma

T- the medicinal flavors follow the aroma, lots of dark fig and licorice, herbal hop, toasted bready malt with sweet caramel-toffee flavors, sweet finish with alcohol on the finish

M- thick, viscous and syrupy mouthfeel, low carbonation, sticky finish as it seems to coat the tongue, alcohol heat on the finish.

O- huge flavors with some nice dark fruity notes, wasn't a fan of the mouthfeel but a worthy American example of the style.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2013 22:00:32 | More by Treyliff

Anker13

District of Columbia

3.48/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

1/31/12 Harpoon Brewery | 2012 Leviathan Quad | 12oz Bottle

Appearance- light brown, chestnut, thin off white head, slight haze

Aroma- spicy, not too much Belgian yeast action, but there is a little clove. Peppery, piney, woody, “forest floor”, boozey, not as fruity as I’d expect

Mouthfeel- moderate/high co2, surprisingly medium in body, slight astringency

Taste- Belgian spice, dark fruit, molasses, alcohol is definitely a component, much more subdued with a year of age though, candy syrup

Residual- flavor kind of cuts off quickly, doesn’t linger too long at all, a little sweetness

Overall- Not Harpoon’s best offering. Although… It is still significantly better than it was fresh. The alcohol has mellowed and it has become a pretty decent sipping beer. There was no real front or back to the beer. You had a big burst of flavor and then it cut off

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 19:35:26 | More by Anker13

scottbrew4u

Pennsylvania

3.34/5  rDev -9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

A: 2012 pours a clear, deep mahogany color with a bubbly two-finger tan head that settles out quickly.
S: Molasses, dried plums, light vanilla, and brown bread make out the sweeter aromas. There is some peppery aromas and other spicy notes from the hops and yeast characteristics.
T: Buttery caramel and molasses envelop the tongue with a brown bread and candi sugar sweetness. Hints of dried plums, sherry and peppery hops in the background. A bit boozy for this style.
M: Medium to full body with a buttery texture and light, crisp carbonation. Alcohol warmth is a bit too much at times.
O: Harpoon gives this style a decent effort but it is a bit hot in the alcohol presence and it may need to rest a few years to mellow. Decent fruit esters and nice peppery bite give the drink some good interest.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2013 22:44:04 | More by scottbrew4u

rodlavers

Pennsylvania

2.9/5  rDev -21%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

2012 vintage poured into a snifter, super thin light tan head, no lacing, dark ruby/brown color, relatively clear, bubbly. Smell is easy, dark fruits mostly, hints of malt, some sweetness. Taste is similar, but also with a little spice. Not exactly what I am used to recently with other quads. Mouthfeel is average; carbonated, not particularly smooth. Overall not a huge fan, but not surprised.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2012 02:38:54 | More by rodlavers

Digimaika2

Ontario (Canada)

3.6/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

(3.5) A: Pours a clear and dark ruby red when held up to light. A fingers worth of foam quickly recedes to a faint ring.

(4.0) S: Dark fruits (cherries & plums), dried fruit (dates & figs), brown sugar, nutmeg, and gingerbread. A healthy and varied batch of aromas that are very pleasing, albeit fairly sweet.

(3.5) T: First thing that comes to mind is cherry cough syrup- not a necessarily bad taste but quite dominant. Must be the brown sugar and cherry flavours combined with the noticeable alcohol feel. I can also pick out some nutty elements, dried fruits, and raisins. Generally speaking, I do like the strong cherry flavour (almost like a pile of Nibs in your mouth) but the brown sugar is a bit too dominant for me.

(3.5) M: Medium bodied with minimal carbonation. Very syrupy and sticky with a warming finish.

(3.5) D: Likely not something I would pick up again considering the whole cherry cough syrup thing. A little disappointed considering my enjoyment of the other Leviathan line offerings :(

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2012 01:10:55 | More by Digimaika2

SometimesIfart

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours a dark ruby red with almost no head. Leaves no lacing.

S - Sweet malt, raisins, plums, dry figs, alcohol, slight hops, and the slightest caramel malt ever.

T - Very sweet burnt malt up front with sweet fresh raisins in the middle and a dark plum finish. Alcohol makes it's presence known as well. Good for almost 12%.

M - Mouthfeel adds some additional alcohol flavor with almost no carbonation and an extremely heavy body.

O - Overall, this is a very interesting beer, and the first quad I have ever had. If this is considered to be a bad quad, I cannot wait for Rochefort 10!.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2012 03:28:16 | More by SometimesIfart

Billolick

New York

3.88/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Growler filled at the Green Growler Grocery, Croton-on-Hudson, NY

Pours darker brown, tan head quickly goes from 2 inches to nothing. No film, no collar and no lacing.

Light malt and light chocolate sniff

Malty brew with chocolate, minty chocolate brownies/chocolate chip cookies and waves of caramel notes.

Alcohol present but not really intruding onto the enjoyment of this flavorful, bold and flavorful offering.

Happy to enjoy a growler fill, as a lot of the reviews from bottled samples are middling to downright negative.

Not the worlds greatest quad, but I found this to be a fairly drinkable and pretty tasty take on the style.

Serving type: growler

08-24-2012 00:11:25 | More by Billolick

chugalug06

Colorado

2.5/5  rDev -31.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

One and a half finger head, poured dense and foamy yellow-brown. Brew is dark purple with lots of reds. No lacing. Nice clarity.

Heavy, sugary, and tons of raisins. Prunes, figs, and sweet. Kinda smells like my kitchen trash can..

Large amount of bite. Heat strikes in a bad way, nothing refreshing about this on a hot day. Bitter and rough. Heavy carbonation too. Thick raisin-y suagr without any smooth flavors.

A mess of a brew.. I was very disappointed with this brew! It's becoming more and more rare to find a good quad, maybe I should give them up. This one didn't end up in the drain, but it's not recommended.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2012 00:19:15 | More by chugalug06

superspak

Michigan

3.43/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12 ounce bottle into chalice, 2012 vintage. Pours fairly crystal clear reddish brown color with a small light khaki head with decent retention, that reduces to a thin ring of lace. Minimal lacing clings to the glass, with a small amount of carbonation streaming up. Aromas of plum, prune, molasses, caramel, cherry, toast, biscuit, banana, allspice, cinnamon, clove, and a bit of alcohol. Some pretty nice and quite unique Quadrupel aromas; with good balance and complexity. Taste of prune, cherry, toast, raisin, biscuit, allspice, banana, clove, and alcohol. Lingering notes of dark fruit, toast, spices, clove, banana, molasses, caramel, and biscuit on the finish for a good bit. Flavors are pretty good, but it is a bit boozy and not as complex as I was hoping. No cloying sweetness. Medium-low carbonation and fairly full bodied; with a fairly slick and thick mouthfeel that is decent. Alcohol presence is quite noticeable with a large lasting warming on the finish. Overall this is an ok quad. Decent flavor balance and complexity; and pretty smooth to sip on slowly.

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2012 03:58:10 | More by superspak

Celtics76

Rhode Island

3.08/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Bottle poured into a Sam Adams pint glass.

Dark red in color with a plum-like aroma. Taste is overwhelmingly boozy, enough to almost completely offset the flavors. I generally don't mind "boozy" beers, as long as it is balanced out with strong flavors. Not the case here.

I always have high expectations for Harpoon Leviathan beers, and this one does not meet them.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2012 20:30:17 | More by Celtics76

rlee1390

Indiana

3.5/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A-Clear ruby, not much carbonation, one finger head, very light tan two finger head.

S-Dark fruits, plums, vanilla, alcohol makes its way into the nose.

T-Lots of dark fruits, plums, raisins, not much bitterness, but the alcohol is still present present.

M-Medium bodied, not much carbonation, alcohol heat is present.

O-Maybe with some aging, the alcohol will calm down. Because this beer has to much alcohol.

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2012 00:27:50 | More by rlee1390

Pdiddey3d

New York

3.38/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle

A nice dark chestnut color with hints of burgundy. About half a finger of white head that dissipates quickly. Zero lacing but some alcohol feet as you drink.Smell is subdued, initially I thought it might be too cold to get a good scent but as I let it come up in temp the booze was the thing that jumped out the most. Sweet malty character, some cherry and banana in there. Somewhat pleasant but the booze kills it a bit. Taste is similar to the nose. Boozy at first, lots of pepper, very malty. Hints of date and cherry but the pepperiness is the dominant flavor.
Overall a decent quad but a bit too boozy in the nose and taste for me.

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2012 03:30:52 | More by Pdiddey3d