Harpoon 100 Barrel Series #27 - Helles Blond Bock - Harpoon Brewery

sliverX

New York

4.35/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured a copper tinged amber, clear, slight stream of carbonation, thin head which was much like old dish water in bubble appearance which left slight lacing.
Smell is very sweet, caramel, a touch of maple syrup maybe, about right for a helles bock
Taste is dead similar but with a bread like back bone and a earthy after note, hint of alcohol jumps out as beer warms
mouthfeel very full feeling
Drinkability is real good on this one I could drink this all day long but I love bocks in their varying forms

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2010 01:58:45 | More by sliverX

VTaler

Vermont

4.28/5  rDev +12%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Poured this into a pint glass. Had a brownish oranges color with a little bit of a dark honey color. A decent ivory colored head that goes away pretty quickly
S - The hops are there but not overwhelming in the smell. You can smell the roasted malt. Smells a little bit like toast. Almost like burnt sugar but in a good way.
T - Its made with German noble hops which give it a spicy bitterness. There is not that hop presence so it is not that bitter. The malty flavor is that of roasted sugar/caramel.
M - Smooth and creamy
D - Drinkable for a bock and you can barely taste the alcohol

Serving type: growler

07-06-2009 14:21:52 | More by VTaler

Patrick

Massachusetts

4.22/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a clear golden color with a thin and dense rubber foam looking off white head.

S: Smells slightly sweet, similar to their Leviathan Bohemian Pils, but this one has more of a spicy hop kick to it, maybe some Saaz.

T: Whoa, lots of rich bread flavor right up front, some light caramel sweetness going on in the middle, and the rich bready flavor comes back for the finish alongside the earthy and spicy hops.

M: Smooth, sticky, full bodied, well carbonated.

D: I was a bit surprised by this one, very good.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2009 18:34:45 | More by Patrick

Duhast500

Massachusetts

4.22/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from the tap into a stemmed glass.

The color was a clear golden color with some slight white head and a very slight lacing.

The smell was a bit sweet and had a slight tangy flavor. Some hop flavor in the background.

The taste quite good from the first sip. Some nice yeast flavor that hide in the background with some nice caramel and floral, spicy hops.

This beer was really full bodied but still pretty smooth. It was quite a nice treat and I would recomend this one to others.

Serving type: on-tap

06-09-2009 02:16:57 | More by Duhast500

51mmz0rz

New Jersey

4.22/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a mug from a bomber.

A: White foamy head on top of a totally clear light amber body. Head fades at a normal pace.

S: Slightly sweet, grain heavy, slightly toasty. Maybe a very light hop aroma, otherwise clean.

T: Bready malts, a light sweetness balanced with a light bitterness, followed by a malt aftertaste. Nicely balanced, just a touch sweet.

M: Medium-low carbonation and good texture.

D: Highly drinkable, refreshing though a bit sweet.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2009 00:05:22 | More by 51mmz0rz

far333

Connecticut

4.22/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a crystal clear ruddy copper with a fat 2-inch head of thickly bubbled foam.

Inviting aroma of toasted biscuit, floral and grassy notes, plus some ripe fruit.

Smooth and balanced flavor of luxurious malt, big notes of caramel and toffee, some toasted marshmallow and graham cracker. Good bitterness to round it out without a discernible hop flavor. Slight alcohol warmth into the cheeks.

Full mouthfeel, moderate carbonation, tingles the back of the tongue.

Really tasty and drinkable beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2009 23:27:28 | More by far333

sinstaineddemon

Connecticut

4.2/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - dakr orange, light brown, with a rusty tone, an island od clumpy tiny bubbles sits atop, independent from the rim

S - light malts to a rich degree, crisp and airy in nature, sweet lightly fruity smelling, only the faintest oh hints of a hop profile

T - wow, malts that exhibit the sweet characteristics more than the fruity one, deep rich caramel and toffee notes, with some vanilla, roasted/earthy tones in the finish, a more bold hop profile that provides some well needed, but ot overpowering balance

M&D - light, crisp, refreshing, a great beer on a hit summer day, one of the best Helles beers i have ever had, 100 Bbl rolls on

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2009 18:47:10 | More by sinstaineddemon

Boppar

New Hampshire

4.13/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a red wine glass.

A: Beautiful golden color with glorious two fingers of head, large soap bubbles, and excellent retention.

S: Honey, sweet malts, mild hop spice.

T: Honey and slight hop bite right off the bat. Sweet malts and biscuit mid-palate. Subtle hop character on the finish.

M: Medium-bodied and creamy.

D: Excellent, even for the style. I'll definitely pick up a few more next time I'm in the store because the one bottle I bought wasn;t nearly enough.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2010 03:25:52 | More by Boppar

GratefulBeerGuy

New Hampshire

4.1/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Barrel series #27.

Pure golden amber, totally clear with tiny, fizzy bubbles and a big hisssy noise from the carbonation. A tan colored, 2" high head has quick dissipation, and is then totally gone.

Sweet, caramel and fruity malt upfront on the nose, Rye bread, cloves, musty spices, tangy and green garden veggies, pretty nice aroma.

Oooh this one is snappy, with a sweet malt bite right off. Wheat and rye seem to be a nice dry-herbal part of the malt with a hit of honey. a dry but crisp hoppy bite comes after with white pepper and slightly tangy yeast that is also pretty earthy. The earthy hop finish is very nice and mellows the malt out very well, maybe too well. The hopare dry and earthy but not at all bitter. The flavor remains clean, not cloying even after some time passes.

a nice one for summer.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2009 19:41:22 | More by GratefulBeerGuy

brentk56

North Carolina

4.1/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Pours a clear amber color with a couple of fingers' worth of head; decent retention and a smattering of lace

Smell: Cakey malt with a hint of herbaceous hops

Taste: Cakey malt. up front, with hints of vanilla and toffee; by mid-palate, a touch of apples and herbaceous hops arrive; after the swallow, while some bitterness lingers, the vanilla cake malts carry through into the finish

Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate carbonation

Drinkability: Though this is far from my favorite style and one I rarely seek out, Harpoon has done a very nice job with this one; while it is not as hoppy as was reported in reviews when the beer was younger, the flavors have mellowed out nicely and, after 18 months or so, the beer is drinking very nicely

Thanks, VanillaMike, for the opportunity

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2011 01:54:04 | More by brentk56

BeerSox

Virginia

4.08/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22oz bomber into Scandinavian mug.

Clear burnt orange hue with glowing amber highlights. A one finger off-white head settles to just about nothing.

A little bit of toastiness and caramel in the background, with a bit of aromatic hops in the foreground.

Plenty of caramel with just a hint of roasted flavors. The hops add a little bit of zesty bitterness. Full bodied, very smooth.

A pretty good Bock, and the alcohol is well hidden. Very drinkable. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2009 23:00:17 | More by BeerSox

Reagan1984

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Tried to order the Harpoon maple 100 barrel series. The Keg kicked and they brougght me this. I had not even heard of it. Glad it happened, I enjoyed this one.

Served in a harpoon tulip glass.
Creamy white head. Light amber color. Dull copper notes.
A touch of lacing. No visible carbonation.

Light caramel aroma. Cinnamon

Really nice. Well balanced. Bread flavor, light caramel. Sublte hop towards the end, but still finished balanced. Some light fruit comes through.

Creamy. Velvety smooth, delicate carbonation.

Very drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

05-24-2009 00:58:23 | More by Reagan1984

ericlawton007

Connecticut

4.05/5  rDev +6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Poured from the bomber into two pint glasses. Deep amber color with very little head or lacing. Malty smell along with some basic spice notes. The malt is present in the tatse along with a pleasant light hops finish. This beer is very drinkable, not quite as earthy as I like my maibocks, but the drinkabilty is really good on this one, and I could go for another.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2009 02:04:24 | More by ericlawton007

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev +6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

22oz bottle purchased as a single from Yankee Spirits, Sturbridge, MA. Gold foiled cap.

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a 1/4" off-white head over the clear light amber brew. Head is promptly down to a small layer of bubbles, with minimal lacing. Aroma is pale malt sweet slightly more than balanced. Taste is reasonably balanced through and through, with malt stronger in some spots, moderate bitterness in others. Mouthfeel is pretty smooth, and drinkability is amazingly easy. Gotta love a nice bock in Spring.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2009 22:22:22 | More by ppoitras

ljbrisson

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a bomber into a pint glass with a thin, white head which left a whisp or two of lacing throughout the drink. Aroma is bread, caramel, some fruitiness from the hops. Mouthfeel is medium, soft, less dense than expected, with lots of carbonation. Taste is bread, toffee, caramel, with some well-balanced spicy, fruity hoppiness. As it warms, more of the smooth malt character becomes pronounced. Drinkability is moderate-high due to ABV only. Overall this is a great brew and one of the better bocks I have tried.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2009 18:07:53 | More by ljbrisson

BeerTrader

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is a first time taste of this Harpoon 100 Barrel Series beer for me.

Poured from a 22oz bomber into my prized Allagash glass.

Very clear and inviting amber, with little head which quickly dissipates. Smell is very nice, bread/biscuit malt with some frutiness in aroma from yeast. Malt forward with a slight touch of hop bitterness in the background, very much to style. I would characterize mouthfeel as smooth, medium bodied. Carbonation is on the light side to what I prefer. Overall, drinkability is nice... no problem enjoying this full 22 oz bomber. I will definately go back and stock up from my source for this at $4.99/bottle.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2009 22:17:23 | More by BeerTrader

edchicma

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours an orange lemon with an initial decent head, some lacing is presnt. Smell is very malty with very nice fruit notes, understated hops. Taste is superb malt with a hnit of hoppy undertones. Mouthfeel is smooth, creamy. Deceiving for the high abv...very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2009 01:49:15 | More by edchicma

cvstrickland

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The chilled and decrowned twenty-two ounce bomber bottle of Harpoon Helles Blond Bock pours tangerine-tinted golden and sparkling clear. A fat finger's thickness of creamy, eggshell-white foam graces the surface, receding slowly, depositing thin webs of fine lacing onto the walls of my dimpled seidel as the head diminishes to an unbroken sheet.

The aroma is malty sweet with notes of light caramel and orange-laced toffee in abundance. Light grain and a mild, amlost tea-like floral sweetness lighten things up a notch.

The taste is sweetly malty with caramelly-toffee notes forward, partially balanced a touch of earthy toasted nuttiness. Mellow medium-dark kilned malt sweetness and a note of overripe muskmelon linger in the aftertaste. A twist of grassy, spicy-citrus bitterness gains purchase as the encounter continues, more effectively neutralizing the predominating cereal sugariness and enhancing the drinkability of HBB quite a bit.

The drink is light-medium in body with fine-bubbled carbonation. Despite the well-camouflaged 7.4% ABV, the brew is plenty quaffable.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2009 14:43:02 | More by cvstrickland

Jwale73

Rhode Island

4/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a standard pint. Poured a translucent honey-gold/copper with a quarter inch consistent white skim. Nose reveals some fruity esters; sweet with perhaps a touch of honey. Taste consistent with nose with a touch of hops coming out at the finish; this brew is sweet and malty. Mouthfeel is medium-bodied and nicely carbonated without being overly prickly. Wasn't sure what to expect, but it was nicely drinkable with a well-hidden abv. Another exceptional 100 barrel series offering.

Serving type: on-tap

06-26-2009 01:49:23 | More by Jwale73

KTCamm

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from the 22oz big boy (session 27) into a pint glass. Pours a hazy orange color with minimal white foam that leaves trails of lacing down the side.

Minimal smell - malty, slightly sweet, hints of honey.

Taste is well balanced. Malty, earthy, hop presence throughout. Holds up throughout the 22 oz, still good as it warms. Modestly carbonated in the mouthfeel.

Delicious brew - very drinkable. 22 oz is a tall order, especially at 7.4% ABV, but could keep going onto the next bottle.

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2009 00:50:44 | More by KTCamm

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Once again Harpoon delivers with their 100 Barrel series!

Helles bock can be a difficult style in that it really needs balance to remain drinkable. Quite often too much malt is used, or too much residual sweetness is left behind - or on occasion, the opposite is true and too much malt is converted into alcohol and it becomes 'hot', or at least readily evident. None of that is true here, and it's pretty much right on with a bready, but not overly sweetish malt, that's balanced by floral hop flavors and a stiff bitterness from within. It finishes dry, and quite clean, with just a hint of subtly toasty maltiness left behind, and some lingering floral hops.

On to the not so great, the body is a beautiful crystal-clear amber with an orange cast, but the head retention is limited, and it leaves only spotty lace behind.

The aroma could be a little more bready, but that's OK, it's still quite nice. It's grainy, toasty, bready, and even a touch buttery (I'm not suggesting diacetyl). And the floral hops that are there are very welcoming.

The body is a little bit lighter than perhaps it could be, but I feel it also works. It's smooth, and just a touch crisp, lending to mass drinkability.

And the alcohol never shows, even after a full glass! It's remarkably drinkable! Kudos! for a well-rounded, and well-balanced rendition of the style.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2009 14:10:46 | More by NeroFiddled

augustgarage

California

4/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Obtained in trade from ShogoKawada (thanks!). Poured from
a 22oz, gold foil topped bomber into my Ayinger Celebrator
doppelbock glass.

Brilliantly clear, pale amber liquid with 2-fingers-receding-to-half-a-finger of creamy, persistent, soft white foam riding the surface.

Pleasant malt and toast aroma along with buttered bread
(not diacetyl though), and a sweet, almost hay-like aroma
from the hops. Some melanoidin notes surface as the beer
warms a little. Smooth, subtle, and enticing.

Light sourdough, rich yet light (Vienna?) malt, and just a
touch of bitterness to round out the flavor profile and keep the finish fairly dry though the sweetness seems to pick up after the beer warms a bit. A flavorful, clean, refreshing, and pure tasting lager - no adjunct, chemical, or off notes whatsoever.

Medium bodied, but not sticky - moderately high, steady
carbonation. Slightly warming by the second glass.

I'm tempted to rate the drinkability higher, but it is a bit heavy and slightly sweet for the style...

I never thought I liked lagers until I started tasting some of the bavarian styles, and Harpoon did a fantastic domestic rendition with this release.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2009 15:10:33 | More by augustgarage

emsroth

New York

4/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bottle with gold foil cap

App: True amber with wonderful clarity. Slight head with nice lacing.

Smell: Honey and sweet pale malt. No hop aromas present.

Taste: Starts with a nice tight carbonation that leads way to a dominant honey sweetness. Dries quickly. Very herbal hops from the middle to end. Refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2009 20:50:50 | More by emsroth

Sycodrummer

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from the 22oz bomber into a pokal the beer was a penny copper color with about one finger of just slightly off-white head that looked suprisingly creamy. The head was quick to fade but a sliver remained and was constantly fed by a steady stream of carbonation.

The nose is bready and doughy with hints of gingerbread and sugar cookies. A slight sugary sweetness.

The taste is suprisingly hoppy up front but not necessarily overly bitter. A floral hoppy character grabs the back of the tounge but this gives way to a maltly backbone but with correspondingly little sweetness. Lots of doughy, cookie-like flavors. Hints of cookie dough and sugar cookies with an ever so slight bitterness in the finish.

Medium body and carbonation.

An interesting take on the style. I expected more sweetness and less hoppiness. Different and enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2009 21:06:48 | More by Sycodrummer

thespaceman

Connecticut

3.95/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to RayMcCusker for the reccomendation. Love bocks! Hopefully this one lives up!

Poured from a 22oz gold sealed capped bomber into a flute glass.

Appearance: This beer pours a beautiful dark gold in color, awesome bubbling effect in my flute from the carbonation. Thick wispy head leaves behind little to no lacing and medium retention.

Smell: Nice bready malt aromas up front, a tinge of coriander and some honey. Hops try to get through but is overwhelmed by a sweet aroma of some mild fruit esters and a hint of banana.

Taste: Very good malt presence is leveled off by a great showing of some slightly darker fruit, grain like malts, a tinge of some grass notes and some spiciness. A deep honey aroma mixed with some ginger and nutty like maltiness is balanced perfectly all the way through. Not as overwhelming as alot of other bock's I've tried in the malt department, slightly reserved with a small dose of hops and alcohol kick to finish out this brew. Refreshing to say the least.

Mouthfeel: Carbonation isn't too hard, sits well on the tongue with a nice rich mouthfeel, a tad bitter from the hops but not mouth burning, really light and can easily be enjoyed on a hot day.

Drinkability: The 100 Barrel Series has been great to my taste buds, and this beer is no different. An excellent stab at the Maibock style as it features just enough malt and ester like flavors to keep me coming back. This 7.4 ABV is hidden nicely and rarely shows it's face (hold this beer on your tongue after swishing it in the glass for about 5 seconds and you'll get a nice kick of alcohol.) Nicely sessionable on a hot summer night, glad I picked this up!

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2009 02:15:25 | More by thespaceman